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VCFSE leaders from across Lancashire, including VSNW’s Chief Executive Warren Escadale and Research and Policy Manager Laura Tilston, have been appointed as inaugural Community Fellows at the University of Lancashire, strengthening links between communities, research and education.
VCFSE leaders from across Lancashire, including VSNW’s Chief Executive Warren Escadale and Research and Policy Manager Laura Tilston, have been appointed as inaugural Community Fellows at the University of Lancashire.
The new Community Fellow scheme, based within the University’s School of Health, Social Work and Sport, has been established to strengthen collaboration between academia and Lancashire’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, ensuring communities have a stronger voice in research, policy and practice.
Warren and Laura join sector leaders from across Lancashire, including:
The Fellows will play an important role in shaping collaborative activity between the University and the VCFSE sector. This could include supporting research, influencing policy, contributing to teaching and creating opportunities for students to engage with communities through volunteering and placements.
“This partnership has the potential to become one of the strongest in the country. The real question is how it delivers tangible benefits for everyone involved.”
Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of VSNW, said: “This partnership has the potential to become one of the strongest in the country. The real question is how it delivers tangible benefits for everyone involved.
“For the University, it provides access to some of the best examples of community engagement, creating opportunities for research, teaching and investment. For the voluntary sector, it offers greater visibility, support and the chance to strengthen outcomes for communities across Lancashire.
The appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening the evidence base for the VCFSE sector and ensuring communities are at the heart of research, policy development and system change.
The University hopes the scheme will help build stronger relationships between researchers, students and community organisations, generating new opportunities to demonstrate the social and economic contribution of the VCFSE sector across Lancashire and the wider North West.
Dr Bryan Jones, Dean of the School of Health, Social Work and Sport at the University of Lancashire, said: “This exciting new scheme begins with open conversations about what we can achieve together, what the organisations need from us as a University, and how we can best support them. We share a strong alignment in values, and I’m excited to build on this partnership.”
The Community Fellows scheme is expected to expand over the coming year, with further appointments planned.
We are looking forward to working alongside partners across Lancashire to ensure the scheme creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration, learning and improved outcomes for communities.
If you are interested in learning more about the scheme visit the University’s website .
