University of Bath School of Management students are working hard to help charities and community groups in an initiative sponsored by Bath-based FTSE 250 engineer Rotork plc.

In the Rotork Community Challenge, charities and organisations have set 19 challenges to School of Management students, which need to be completed by early December.

The results of each project, which typically solve a specific operational issue, fundraising ask, or campaign requirement, will be judged by business and management experts on 9 December. More than 150 students have signed up to the Challenge and the winning team will receive a donation from Rotork for their project’s cause or charity.

“We have had a record number of students sign up to this year’s Rotork Community Challenge – it not only benefits local charities but also brings students together, fostering their teamworking, planning, leadership and project management skills, and encouraging them to feel part of the wider Bath community,” said Jo Parry, Student Experience Officer.

The community charities and local groups include The Paul Hodges Trust, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Genesis Trust, Share and Repair, Wheels for All, Save the Children, V Team Bath, The Royal Life Saving Society, 1st Impressions CIC, Care Home Volunteers, Bath City FC, Marmalade Trust, Girlguiding in Bath, and homeless charity Julian House.

“Rotork has supported this initiative for several years and we’re delighted to be involved again this year in collaboration with the University of Bath and local charities,” said Julius Rich, Rotork's Communications Director. Rotork is a FTSE250 global flow control and instrumentation company.

The varied challenges include creating marketing materials for fundraising and volunteering campaigns, helping a charity source businesswear for women returning to the workplace, assisting an organisation which addresses the issue of isolation in the Bath community, and helping a local charity which supports female education in Uganda.

"Taking part in the challenge not only equips me with transferable skills such as communication, project management and teamwork, but it also provides me with an invaluable opportunity to transform our diverse ideas into actionable recommendations and solutions to help our charities achieve their visions and make a positive social impact in the local community. I'm extremely grateful to be part of this challenge and would highly encourage anyone interested in getting involved to participate,” said MSc Management student Etienne Lee, part of the team supporting 1st Impressions CIC.

The winners of the previous Rotork Community Challenge helped support Julian House.