Voluntary and community groups in Greater Manchester interested in working with universities are invited to give their views on the development of a ‘community partner’ network to share learning and experiences of working with universities.
Interest in community-university partnerships – organisations from the community working with universities on a project or to share resources – is increasing, but the power balance in such partnerships is often skewed in favour of the university partner. The proposed network would enable voluntary and community groups and other community partners to come together and share learning and experiences of working with universities, as well as supporting each other to make such joint work a fruitful experience for the community involved.
A working group has secured funding for the development phase and is inviting organisations interested in working with universities to give their views on the scope of such a network.
A survey to gather feedback on the development of the next phase of the project can be completed by visiting: https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/commpartner/. The deadline for responses is Friday 5 April 2013.
This work has been initiated by a group of community partners, including GMCVO, academics, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement and the Community University Partnership Programme at the University of Brighton who are committed to supporting the development of mutually beneficial partnerships between universities and community groups.
For further information about the project, visit: www.publicengagement.ac.uk/about/community-partner-network, or email GMCVO researcher, Susanne Martikke at: [email protected].