As part of the Business School’s Practice Weeks programme, students formed teams that were tasked with the challenge of developing a poster containing ideas to support and assist the Luton Foodbank with their operations.

The Mayor, Councillor Sheila Roden, who sits on the Foodbank board, was impressed with the fresh ideas Bedfordshire students conjured up to drive the charity forward. 

“There were some fantastic ideas on display, with a great amount of work put in to creating each of the posters,” said Councillor Roden.

“Going out and meeting the students here at the University of Bedfordshire is the sort of thing I am keen to support, as they’re undertaking great work and contributing to the community.”

The Luton Foodbank, an independent community benefit society with charitable status, was founded 12 months ago, providing emergency food supplies to families.

The first of three Practice Weeks in the 2013/14 academic year (November), started with an examination of the effects of the reduction in Government spending on individuals, with the second focusing on the Foodbank as a practical example of an organisation meeting a new and urgent need in the community. 

The third and final week in March will involve students implementing the best ideas in the Luton community on behalf of the Foodbank.

Mike Kennedy, Principal Tutor in Management and Business Systems at the University, added: “These Practice Weeks, which were introduced in the 2012/13 academic year, are a major theme running through all our undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Business School, and generate enormous student commitment and interest.

“They are designed to provide students with more ‘hands on’ experience of real organisations, and to put the theory they have been taught into practice. This can only stand them in good stead when applying for jobs in the business industry after graduating.”

Photo: Business School students, Jake Roberts (left) and Harry Roberts (right), with Councillor Roden