Our Community Connected University

The University’s guide for Communities and Organisations

We have created an Our Community Connected University guide for communities and organisations. Opportunities include:

• Partnering with us on events to support issues, campaigns and learning
• Collaborating on research and evaluations 
• Using our Volunteering Portal to access volunteers  
• Accessing student internships and work placements or recruit a talented student or graduate
• Attending talks, events and festivals  
• Accessing our training courses, and continuing professional development
• Hiring a selection of facilities and rooms
• Accessing our procurement opportunities

Building on current activity

True to its mission of being community connected, the University of Chester is committed to supporting the different communities it serves and so plays a key part in the prosperity and culture of the region. For example, the annual economic impact of the University is estimated at half a billion pounds and students and staff contribute in many ways to improve the lives of others. The following examples give a snapshot of the diverse benefits the University brings for the population of Cheshire, Wirral and Shropshire and beyond:

• Encouraging disadvantaged groups and those who have lacked educational opportunities to raise their aspirations and consider higher education through the successful outreach programme.
• Strengthening public services through the education and development of teachers, nurses, midwives, social workers and police officers for the region.
• Providing public events on and off-campus in the form of exhibitions, performances and lectures, which are open to all.
• Usage of campus sports facilities by the community, including the hosting of cardiac rehabilitation for heart attack patients referred from hospital; swimming and gymnastics lessons for children; informal sporting gatherings; hosting of competitions for school pupils; and regular training for local teams playing up to international level.
• Creating curricula designed to meet skills gaps in the local labour market and participation in workforce planning to feed into industrial strategy at a regional and national level and supporting local schools with curriculum planning and provision.
• Collaborating with a wide range of public and private organisations on initiatives to improve people’s lives in the region and worldwide.
• Employing over 1,700 staff members, which makes the University one of the largest employers in the area, providing a livelihood for significant numbers of people. and generating business for local and national suppliers of goods and services.
• Volunteering by students and staff, which involves a host of voluntary roles in local organisations and participation in many charitable activities. This results in thousands of hours of time given freely every year and tens of thousands of pounds raised for a range of causes.
• As well as increasing the spending power in the local economy, the student population, which includes people of all ages and international students from over 130 countries, adds to the diversity and cultural enrichment of the region.
• The fostering of innovation and entrepreneurship through bespoke programmes and facilities results in new business start-ups, and business growth for SMEs which improve employment opportunities in the region.
• The engagement of staff members through speaking at external public events in a range of different communities in the UK and overseas means that their knowledge reaches a wider audience.
• Attracting visitors to the area through events such as student Open and Applicant Days, graduation ceremonies and international conferences, together with visiting academics and friends and families of students.
• Stimulating collaborative work with local, regional and global partners on a range of research projects, which strive to find solutions to real world problems, such as social challenges and climate change.

Contact

If you would like to get involved in this work or to be kept updated please let us know by emailing: community@chester.ac.uk.