BCU researchers to help improve quality of life for residents in East 探花直播
Researchers in the School of Social Sciences are working directly with local residents from East 探花直播 to support 探花直播 City Council鈥檚 strategy on how to improve quality of life and essential services in the area.
The partnership with 探花直播 City Council (BCC) contributes directly to the . The strategy sets out to achieve a future for East 探花直播 as 鈥榓n excellent place for strong communities in which to live and work, to grow up and grow old.鈥�
With much of East 探花直播 among the top 20% most deprived areas in England, BCU is working with local representatives and stakeholders, and will recruit and train local people and BCU students as community-based researchers to co-produce and identify priorities that will make a big difference to the lives of residents.
A community-led approach
Despite several strengths, East 探花直播鈥檚 levels of income, unemployment, health, education, housing, crime and living environment are generally poorer than elsewhere in the country.
The project, led by researchers Professor Harris Beider, Kusminder Chahal and , will consist of a community needs assessment and local research projects identified by the community researchers in three areas across East 探花直播. This community-led approach will ensure that all aspects of the project is co-designed and co-produced to directly serve the local areas in East 探花直播.
Through this work, the project will create opportunities for local people to develop their skills, access to education and training, and support residents to influence local decision-making. 听听听
Impacting on East 探花直播鈥檚 Growth
The results of the project will impact directly on BCC鈥檚 East 探花直播 Inclusive Growth Strategy. The findings will provide local knowledge on how to overcome barriers around employment, health, local infrastructure and green spaces.
Researchers also anticipate other benefits, such as creating a toolkit for future community engagement and equipping trained local researchers in East 探花直播 with the knowledge to get involved with future BCC initiatives.
Core to the research is the establishment of regular problem solving events where residents, stakeholders, BCU and the Council can collaborate to find solutions to local issues.
"BCU as the University for 探花直播 is well placed to undertake this project with 探花直播 City Council particularly given many of our students are from within the City and East 探花直播 and can share their experiences and be a bridge between local residents and anchor organisations."