King's College London

Applications are now open for King’s Civic Challenge, which invites local charities to work with King’s students and staff to develop fresh perspectives on some of the challenges facing our home boroughs. 

Designed in collaboration with our partners in Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster, and now in its third year, King’s Civic Challenge teams have explored issues such as social isolation, the digital divide, mental health and food insecurity in our local communities.

Last year, King’s Civic Challenge saw one group of King's students partner with local charity, The Dot Collective. Together they developed ‘A Map to You’, which received the arts and health award.

Spotlighting the person not the dementia, this unique storytelling project has supported those living with dementia in south London, and their carers, to rediscover their creativity and enhance their wellbeing.

As part of King’s Civic Challenge, students and staff join together with a community partner, supported by an alumni mentor. Teams take part in training to generate and refine their ideas, before pitching to a panel of judges for the chance to win funding to make the project a reality. 

Joseph Lam, a Data Scientist at the Institute for Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, was part of The Soul Shack LDN CIC team which won the Community Resilience Award during last year’s Challenge.

The Shoul Shack LDN CIC asked their team to explore food insecurity in Lambeth. Together they developed a food pantry to allow families in need to purchase groceries worth £15 at a cost of £3. It will also promote food education, knowledge and hygiene in the community while empowering local young people by recruiting them as volunteers.  

Learn more about King’s Civic Challenge or join a Discover session for students and staff.

kcl.ac.uk/civicchallenge | @KingsCollegeLon | #KingsLocal