Community-University Collaborations: Exploring Models, Sharing Good Practice Grey College, Durham September 9 th and 10 th 2010

Community Engagement at Durham: Engaging the Whole University Dr Andrew Russell

∂ WELCOME!

∂ About the conference Models of engagement Sharing good practice Bringing together university and community representatives Talks, workshops, showcasing event Community-based wellbeing research theme (particularly tomorrow) Reflections – the changing relationship between universities and wider society - regionally, nationally and internationally Acknowledgements

∂ Community engagement at Durham University Effective community engagement (CE) is increasingly important for the future of all universities CE is about enhancing the positive impact of the University on society – economically, socially and culturally Durham’s future strategy is to undertake CE through three interlinked strands: –Business and knowledge transfer –Schools outreach and academies –Community outreach and engagement

∂ Is there a Durham model of community outreach and engagement? Building... organically responsively – existing assets – wider world sustainably

∂ Durham Phoenix Making it easier for community groups and organizations to access the University, and for members of the University to access the community A central portal…..

∂ Community Partners’ Scheme Gives community groups and organisations access to the University’s… staff volunteering scheme information professionals student societies training and development opportunities student placements research and the ‘knowledge economy’ facilities and events

∂ Staff Volunteering Scheme “to give staff the opportunity to take time off from their normal work without losing pay to engage in approved activities that will be of mutual benefit to the University and the community”

∂ Staff Volunteering Scheme – an example of Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) ESV is increasingly common not only in private sector but also in public sector organizations including HE Benefits to the University, its staff, the receiving organizations and the wider community Many Durham staff already involved in volunteering activities Building on what is already happening, and developing new opportunities

∂ Staff Volunteering Scheme - Key points Open to ALL staff (not just academics) on BOTH campuses Up to FIVE DAYS paid time in any one year Pilot phase – one year initially, now in year 2 A range of volunteering activities is available, or staff can propose their own Target of 5% of all staff by October 2010 (=175) Open to existing volunteers and new ones Now introduced as part of staff induction, and community engagement is included in staff appraisal/development activities

∂ Sport in the Community Street League Second Chance football and Multisport Project Looked after Children Female Learning Support Students Young Person’s Sports Sessions ACCESS and IMPACT scheme Lunchtime mentoring Debating programme Sports sessions for the homeless Stockton Health and Lifestyle Programme Asian Women’s Group

∂ Beacon NE Joint venture Durham University, Newcastle University and the Centre for Life, Newcastle Vision Public Engagement is part of the role of every academic and universities are valued by and open to the community Mission i.To enable members of the public to help shape research, alongside academics ii.To enable academics to learn from those outside academia, who have expertise through experience iii.To build capacity and understanding of public engagement at all levels of the university

∂ BeaconNE themes Social justice and social inclusion (Prof. Sarah Banks Energy and environment (Dr Tom Henfrey Vitality and the life course (Dr Mark Booth

∂ Engaged research Benefits at all levels, from undergraduate projects through to post-doctoral research Academics can assist in accessing funding streams not otherwise available to groups (and vice versa) Varies in terms of timescale, time constraints, cost, expertise, and nature of engagement: Passive - Public lectures/other dissemination Active - Consultative - Collaborative - Participatory/Co-inquiry

∂ What is the role for a University like Durham in the 21 st century? Non-partisan broker Knowledge generation; knowledge exchange Economic engine Challenging ‘received wisdom’ and encouraging ‘out of the box’ thinking Serving the needs of the community and wider society – fulfilling its civic responsibility Bringing the outside world into the region, and the region into the outside world

∂ Now more than ever…. If not now, when?

∂ The Future…. ‘Experience Durham’ More in-depth, place-based work Web/internet links Internationalisation

∂ Further information: (Phoenix) (BeaconNE) (CSJCA) See also: andhttp://