2016/17
PROJECT
START-UP GUIDE
Idea For A Project? Check Out These Handy Hints!
Contents
Have an Idea for a Project? Page 2
Benefits of Starting A Student-Led Project – Page 2
Examples of Student-Led Projects – Page 3
Your Project: Things To Consider – Page 3
How the Placement Unit Can Help You – Page 4
What To Do Next – Page 4
If you have any questions about
starting a student-led project that
are not answered in this guide,
please contact
[email protected] and
one of the team will get in touch!
Have An Idea For A Project?
So, you have an idea for a Schools project? That is great news! This guide is designed to help turn
your concept into a reality by taking you through the project development process. Organising a
project or event can be extremely rewarding for you personally and the community, but also
takes commitment, hard work, and reliability to make it successful.
But don’t panic, The Placement Unit are here to support you every step of the way, offering you
help with funding, planning, recruiting students, and establishing links with local organisations.
Benefits Of Starting A Student-Led Project
There are many benefits to starting and running your own project, including:
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Contributing to a community or cause that is very important
to you;
Developing employable skills such as project management,
leadership, and communication skills;
Receiving training from the Placement Unit to ensure
successful delivery of your project;
Adding an impressive achievement to your CV to stand out
in the graduate job market;
Seeing your idea develop from concept to fully functioning
project;
Meeting other like-minded students to make your project
happen.
You must also consider what will be required of you to start-up your project. Agreeing to work with
The Placement Unit to make your idea a reality will take hard work and:
Passion for
your idea
Organisation
Reliability
Team
Work
Commitment
Good
Communication
So, if it sound like the benefits of starting a project are worth it and you can commit to making
your idea into a workable project, then read on!
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Examples of Student-Led Projects
At this stage, you might be wondering whether your idea, passion, or skill could actually be turned
into a student-led project. Here are some examples of past student-led project ideas to give you
some inspiration:
Ancient Greek History Days
Harry Potter Week
An Arts Week For Local School
Pupils
School Clean Ups
Leadership schemes
Chess Clubs
Sports Activity Day in a Local
School
Code Clubs
Chinese Cultural and Language
Clubs
However, we are always looking to develop completely new projects that work with different
groups through varying activities. So your idea could be even more adventurous than those
above!
Your Project: Things To Consider
Once you have a vague idea of a Schools project, or even a skill or passion that you would like to
share with a local school, there are several things you need to consider to make it happen:
•What is the aim of the project?
AIM
• Who will benefit from your project? I.e who do you want to work with and
support - primary/seconday, CUSU department
•What will your project consist of? E.g an event, specific activities, regular
sessions etc?
•How much time do you have to commit to running the project?
•When would the project take place?
PLAN
•How many students do you need to run the project?
•How much will it cost to run?
• Is there a particular school or department you want to work with?
SOURCE
• Does your project meet their needs?
•Where can you get funding for your project?
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How the Placement Unit Can Help You
You are not on your own when it comes to setting up your own project. Here at the Placement Unit we
can help transform your idea into a realistic opportunity by:
 Offering you advice and support on turning your concept into a
feasible project plan;
 Using our contacts to help find a suitable host and venue for your
project;
 Training you on how to be a successful project leader;
 Helping you to secure funding;
 Supporting you with the recruitment of students to your project;
 Guiding you through the project whilst it is running;
 Aiding you to prepare handover packs and evaluate the impact
of your project at the end of the year.
If you have any questions about your idea or setting up a project, please contact
[email protected] and one of our team will be happy to help!
What To Do Next
Now you have an overview of what goes into developing your idea, here is a flowchart of what
to do next to turn your concept into an up and running project:
You come up with a new Project idea.
Visit the Placement Unit website at www.cusu.org/placements
 Click the ‘Placements’ tab and navigate to the ‘Projects’ button.
Hit this button – download the ‘Project-Start Up Guide’ and the ‘Student-Led
Project Proposal Form’. This can also be accessed on the ‘Resources’ page.


Email [email protected]
to speak to one of the team in more
detail about your project idea
If your project idea is viable, then we
will work with you to:
 Secure a partnership with an
organisation/school or CUSU
department;
 Recruit students;
 Train you as a project leader;
 Arrange your first group
session.
 Complete a ‘New Student-Led Project
Proposal Form’ found on the ‘Resources’
page of the Placement Unit website.
 Email the completed form to
[email protected]
The Placements Unit will review your
application, invite you to a meeting to
discuss whether it is realistic, and discuss
how we can support you.
Your project is up and running!
GOOD LUCK! We look forward to hearing from you!
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