Students who are studying sociology, criminology, or a combined degree, can apply to do a work placement with CITC.
This year, we followed three third-year students from the beginning of the process in September 2025, until the end in March 2026.
Ben, Charlotte and Nadiya spent six months learning about CITC, using programme data from the previous year to write their dissertation based on social findings from their chosen programme area.
Ben aimed to analyse post-programme survey responses from participants on the charity’s mental health programme, City Thrive.
The study explored outcomes related to mental well-being, social skills, and mental health awareness.
Nadia’s area of research explored 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.
It aimed to provide insight into the perceived value of sport-based interventions in supporting young people and strengthening community engagement.
Charlotte set out to research how a sense of belonging and engagement within City Inspires sessions shape developmental outcomes for secondary school students.
Her work examined whether feeling connected to the programme and actively participating in sessions contributed to enhanced career readiness, stronger future orientation, and increased prosocial development.
From this, CITC’s Impact and Operations team are able to take the students’ research and use it in helping to review different elements of the charity’s delivery and output.
Reflecting on his experience and time at CITC, Ben said: “It’s been absolutely incredible. I feel like I’ve met a lot of great people. Everyone’s been so helpful and especially the team I’ve been put with.”
Nadia added: “I would recommend this project because it’s such a great insight for your future.
“You are able to build on real life skills, able to meet new people, collaborate, all of which is very important, and help you very much.”
Impact and Quality Manager, Natalie Sutcliffe, commented on the importance of the project: “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 Full Squad Signed Shirt, a Haaland Club World Cup Signed Shirt 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.
*Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the prize draw.
