What is Positive Impact?
Positive Impact is an accreditation scheme, using a workbook of actions to drive improvements in sustainability and wider responsible business practices. The scheme is a collaboration between Unite Students and the NUS, delivering a bespoke programme that includes a wide range of sustainability, wellbeing, community and social impact initiatives. The programme is an evolution of the NUS Green Impact scheme which runs across a number of universities, colleges and private organisations. Unite Students is the first accommodation provider to run the scheme.
How does it work?
Set actions
Employees across Unite work through a set of actions in the bronze award Positive Impact workbook and ensure they are completed and set up in all of our properties. The actions showcase best practice across a range of themes including sustainability, health and safety, welfare and many more.
Aim high
City teams can also choose to aim for a silver or gold award which involves them establishing a long term community project to support and engage with local groups, charities, students and sometimes schools.
Measure impact
At the end of the calendar year, the bronze workbooks are audited by students to ensure each property is working at a bronze level as a minimum. Silver and gold awards are judged and awarded by a panel and their success is measured on the level of impact they have achieved.
How to get involved
If you are interested in some great volunteering that is driven by positive change then we have some fantastic opportunities that will help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate.
Consultant role
Volunteering as an NUS-accredited Positive Impact Consultant is an exciting and fun opportunity that helps develop employability skills. These include organisation, communication and project management, all while working in a fun and engaging environment. To do this, you will work alongside your uS city team to implement real change in the area in which you live.
To apply for this position and find out more please contact a member of your city team.
Auditor role
The role of volunteer Positive Impact Auditor gives you the chance to learn skills in environmental auditing, teamwork and time management as part of a worldwide sustainability project run by the NUS. This opportunity involves a free IEMA-approved environmental auditing training session and the chance to gain practical auditing experience.
Meet our volunteers
I would definitely recommend the programme to other students. It gives an insight into the issues the planet is facing that one might not even think about, resulting in one changed attitude that could inspire more people to do the same.
I have always been passionate about doing more to take care of the environment and I wanted to be proactive by doing something alongside my studies. I helped run events as part of my role; it was a great pleasure to work with such a hard-working team.