Work with us - Grassroots Human Rights Project

About the project

The CAJ Grassroots Human Rights project focuses on educating young people in local state schools about their human rights. Through educating young people on human rights issues around the world and at home, the project hopes to raise awareness about human rights and at the same time inspire them to pursue a university education in the future.

Our students travel to different schools across London to deliver interactive, informative and age-appropriate human rights workshops to students in Years 8/9 or Year 12. The issues covered in workshops range from broad questions such as “what is a human right?” to more practical examples such as a person’s rights with regard to “stop and search” police powers, the right to education, the right to life, and anti-discrimination law. 

The Curriculum 

The Grassroots Human Rights Project Curriculum is intended to be modular and flexible depending on a schools needs. There are several options available. 

4 Week Programme

• Module 1: Introduction to Human Rights 
• Module 2: How Human Rights Work 
• Module 3: Human Rights in the UK 
• Module 4: Human Rights Internationally 

5-9 Week Programme 

• Core module 1: Introduction to Human Rights 
• Core module 2: How Human Rights Work 
• Optional Module 1: Right to Education 
• Optional Module 2: Right to Privacy 
• Optional Module 3: Right to Life 
• Optional Module 4: Right to be free from discrimination 
• Optional Module 5: Stop & Search 
• Core module 3: Human Rights in the UK 
• Core module 4: Human Rights Internationally 

One off Sessions 

• Right to Education 
• Right to Privacy 
• Right to Life 
• Right to be free from discrimination 
• Stop & Search 

About our volunteers

The Grassroots Human Rights Project is overseen by staff at the Centre for Access to Justice, who review the syllabus created for each school as well as the powerpoint presentations made by our volunteers. Our volunteers consist of LLB Students, and UCL Students from other degree disciplines, who attend in-person workshops to teach students about human rights. Volunteers are also supported by our project leaders who are organised and motivated students who host practice sessions with volunteers, oversee volunteer coordination, and plan sessions.

Volunteers will facilitate discussions that encourage students to share their ideas, ask questions, and develop their understanding of human rights issues. They are able to adapt workshop materials based on the needs of each school or year group.

Training and DBS Checks 

All UCL Volunteers on the Grassroots Human Rights Project will need to undergo training before delivering sessions.

We ask that a member of staff remain with our student volunteers at all time, as we are not normally able to conduct DBS checks. If your school requires DBS checks, we may be able to arrange for DBS checks to be done.

Key Information 

Interested in hosting a Grassroots Human Rights Project Workshop? Please contact Annika Melwani at annika.melwani@ucl.ac.uk.