![\"Ali](\"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/323\/2018\/12\/ali_web.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI grew up in Grangetown and I\u2019m passionate about making it an even better place to live. Cardiff University shares that vision.<\/p>\n
Nowhere is that more apparent than at the Grange Pavilion. For a long while, it was only used by the Bowls Club \u2013 15 people who came in white suits to play bowls and locked the gate on their way out. The fences were six foot high. When the club disbanded, the building became derelict, and local residents became concerned.<\/p>\n
That was when I had an email from the University \u2013 they were exploring ventures for their community engagement programmes. Initially I was very cautious: I didn\u2019t want to be involved with something which wouldn\u2019t have impact, because, you know, projects come and go but communities remain. But the more I heard, I knew I could believe in it. So I used my links with the community to spread the word: \u201cLet\u2019s get behind this. It could make a real difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first thing we did was to ask \u201cwhat does the community want?\u201d and they said \u201cwe want this space to be bigger, better, and brighter\u201d \u2013 and now it\u2019s being completely overhauled.<\/p>\n
The University have spruced the place up and made it accessible to the community seven days a week. Cardiff\u2019s architecture students have been speaking to different stakeholders as part of their live teaching, developing designs and putting the community at the heart of their plans. We\u2019re going to extend and open a cafe with a fully functional kitchen where community groups can come and learn to cook for each other. It\u2019s a fantastic experience; many students stay involved even after they graduate!<\/p>\n
But bricks and mortar are just part of the project. Cardiff University is developing partnerships with local schools to enrich teaching and help young people to aspire to higher education. Amongst other events, we recently held a Careers Week with different University schools; Law was here, Geography, Earth Science, Business, Medicine. There was even a miniature Open Day right here at the Pavilion. Every young person we spoke to now wants to study at Cardiff.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s so much potential in our communities. Cardiff\u2019s flagship engagement programmes are the most ambitious of their kind, utilising research and specialist skills to support places like Grangetown, and across Wales. With that sort of commitment, I think the future is really bright!<\/p>\n