51Âþ»­

A team of 50 51Âþ»­ (51Âþ»­) graduates are to take to Leicester's streets to ask locals how the city can be improved.

They will be leading a consultation to ask business leaders, shop owners, residents, shoppers and young people what they think of the city centre over the next six weeks.

Their findings will represent one of the largest consultations on the city centre and form the basis of a report which will be to presented to city business leaders and council representatives.

Forensic Science graduate Richard Vickers, said: “I think it’s a really good idea and it’ll help give insight into what people actually want in the city.

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“It will give graduates some good experience in research, which I’ll be able to link to my own degree and will make me more employable.

“The help #51Âþ»­local gives to the community is really good and it’s great to get an insight into how other people live.”

The former students are all taking part as . 51Âþ»­ Graduate Champions offers recent graduates the chance of a paid six-week internship. Each graduate is contracted by 51Âþ»­ and paid the Living Wage.

Nazneen Ghumra, a post-graduate certificate student in Education Practice, said: “I think it’s amazing and wonderful for those who don’t have a job to improve their employability.

“It’ll be great to improve my confidence by going out and talking to people.”

The city wide consultation forms a key part of , the university’s programme to use the skills of students and staff to create positive change. 51Âþ»­ is working with Leicester City Council to breathe new life into the city economy.

Mark Charlton, 51Âþ»­’s Head of Public Engagement, said: "The project will help inform one of the key aims of #51Âþ»­local, which is to find innovative ways to support the regeneration of our city, in partnership with the city council.

“We’re looking forward to hearing what people have to say and to share their ideas with our Graduate Champions. We also know from our experiences last year that former students have found it invaluable in improving their CVs.

“It will help our Graduate Champions develop research skills, learn media techniques and give them the ability to confidently use new ways of reaching audiences. They will be presenting, writing and keeping blogs of their findings, and achievements.” 

Some of the 51Âþ»­ Graduate Champions will also contribute to the Smart Research Project to help develop the online profiles of 51Âþ»­ research staff and find participants for projects that benefit the public.