Tuesday 28-10-2025 - 09:58

Every year, GCU students step up with fresh ideas to make a difference, from building community to creating new opportunities for creativity, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Through the GCU Common Good Fund, which is generously donated by the GCU Foundation, societies and sports clubs can pitch their projects for the chance to win support for initiatives that go above and beyond.

This year, 33 clubs and societies applied for the fund, an inspiring showcase of student ambition and community spirit.

For 2025, the Common Good Fund was split into two pots:

• The Big Fund (£500) – two of these were available for standout projects, and
• The Wee Fund (£210) – awarded to 31 clubs, societies and groups.

Among the many creative and impactful proposals, two standout groups impressed the panel with their passion, purpose, and plans for impact, each receiving an additional £500 in Big Fund support. Let’s find out more about these projects  and discover how they’ll use their grants to make a difference within the GCU community and beyond.

GCU Dance: Bringing Scotland’s First University Dance Competition to Glasgow

The GCU Dance Club is preparing to take centre stage in January 2026 with their first-ever “Caledonian Competition”, a large-scale University dance event hosted in Glasgow.

This exciting competition will welcome University dance teams from across Scotland to the C7 Conference Centre, showcasing a wide range of categories including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, solos/small groups, and wildcard performances.

In their application, the club explained that the competition will require detailed planning to ensure dancers’ safety and smooth running on the day. They plan to hire professional judges from the performing arts industry and expect to welcome over 250 dancers and audience members.

The £500 Big Fund grant will help cover essential costs such as venue hire, decorations, and technical systems, supporting the team’s efforts to deliver a professional and memorable event.

GCU Dance highlighted that hosting a university level dance competition will enhance GCU’s reputation for supporting extracurricular activities and promote wellbeing in an inclusive and supportive environment. Holding the event in Glasgow, known for its vibrant arts scene, will also strengthen connections between GCU and the city’s creative community.

By opening the event to the public, the society hopes to showcase the high standard of university dance and inspire future collaborations across Scotland’s student performing arts community.

Safe Spaces Society: Championing Neurodivergent Inclusion at GCU

The Safe Spaces Society, was also awarded £500 from the Big Fund for their efforts to create a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent students.

In their application, the society explained that they aim to provide peer support, raise awareness, and fill existing gaps in services for both diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodivergent students at GCU.

Their plans include launching a neurodivergent friendly podcast to share practical advice and lived experiences, with the funding helping to purchase portable podcasting equipment to record episodes in accessible spaces.

Part of the grant will also go towards providing subscriptions to wellbeing apps such as Headspace, allowing members to access mindfulness and relaxation tools regardless of financial barriers.

Additionally, the society hopes to host a neurodivergent-friendly Christmas gathering, featuring a sensory-safe environment, accessible meal options, and even a silent disco, ensuring that all members, including those with sensory sensitivities, can participate in the festive season comfortably.

The group emphasised that these initiatives will help create safe, welcoming spaces for neurodivergent students who often face challenges in traditional social or academic environments. They believe their projects will lead to a healthier, more supportive experience for members and strengthen understanding of neurodiversity across the wider GCU community.

Empowering Students to Make a Difference

Both the GCU Dance Club and Safe Spaces Society demonstrate exactly what GCU’s student community stands for: innovation, inclusion, and impact.

Through the GCU Common Good Fund, donated by the GCU Foundation, we’re proud to support students who not only dream big but work hard to make their ideas a reality.

Congratulations to all 33 applicants, especially our two Big Fund winners, for embodying the Common Good and showing that even small grants can spark big change.

We can’t wait to see all your projects come to life!