Students who are studying sociology, criminology, or a combined degree, can apply to do a work placement with City in the Community.
The third-year students are able to learn about CITC, using programme data from the previous year to write their dissertation based on social findings from their chosen programme area.
From this, CITC’s Impact and Operations team take the students’ research and use it in helping to review different elements of CITC’s delivery and output.
Impact and Quality Manager, Natalie Sutcliffe, commented on the importance of the project: “We have dedicated students that work with us each year, and their findings are then presented to our Operations managers.
“The results of these findings are then directly implemented to inform change across our programmes the next year, which really benefit CITC.”
Since September 2025, this year’s students, Ben, Charlotte and Nadia, have been attending CITC programmes, gathering information on the sessions in each of their respective research areas.
Ben aims to analyse post-programme survey responses from participants on the City Thrive programme. The study will explore outcomes related to mental well-being, social skills, and mental health awareness.
The research examines whether these outcomes differ between primary and secondary school participants and also explores gender differences in reported outcomes following programme participation.
Nadia’s area of research explores the extent to which pro-social behaviour and a sense of belonging influence the perceptions and behaviours of young people participating on the City Kicks programme.
Her study aims to provide insight into the perceived value of sport-based interventions in supporting young people and strengthening community engagement.
Charlotte aims to research how a sense of belonging and engagement within City Inspires sessions shape young people’s developmental outcomes, examining whether feeling connected to the programme and actively participating in sessions contribute to enhanced career readiness, stronger future orientation, and increased prosocial development.
On the importance of the project, Natalie added: “We have been doing this project for around 10 years now, and it’s really beneficial to our students because it gives them the chance to work with real world data, in a real-world environment.
“The work that they do on their project, can actually make meaningful change with the communities we work with here at City in the Community.”
If you want to support City in the Community and its work, enter this month’s Prize Draw competition, for the chance to win a Team Photo Experience, Match Tickets and more.
The City in the Community Prize Draw is powered by Raise Your Game, and your support will go towards sustaining the charity’s programmes, which empower healthier lives through football.
Entries start at £5 per ticket; fans can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically.*
City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.
