Canterbury Christ Church University hosted the first in-person Community Impact Forum since 2019 on 4 May 2022. Colleagues from local third sector and not-for-profit organisations were invited on campus for an afternoon of networking, discussion and development.

Themed around ‘Working Collaboratively’, there were presentations from academics from the Schools of Art and Creative Industries and Humanities and Education Studies, on examples of collaborative projects, research and opportunities for partnerships.

This was followed with a tour of our new £65m STEM facility, the Verena Holmes building (pictured above) and finished with refreshments and networking overlooking Augustine Abbey. 

Guests enjoyed the ‘engaging’ and ‘fantastic’ presentations and the insight into the new state-of-the-art facilities that Verena Holmes offers. With a broad representation, the event offered guests ‘different and interesting perspectives’, and an opportunity to share ideas on important issues such as climate change and social justice. 

‘It was great to welcome local third sector colleagues back on campus for an afternoon of thought provoking presentations, interesting discussions and creating new connections. I look forward to seeing what new collaborations emerge.‘ –Lucy Woodward, Enterprise and Engagement Manager

Knowledge exchange

As a University in the heart of the community, we recognise our responsibility to continue to look outwards, seeking out opportunities to work collaboratively, to advocate for and build a just society.

Our areas of strength in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) reflect the University’s mission to transform lives, and our commitment to public service, widening access to higher education and enriching communities. The University is in the top 30% for public and community engagement; working with the public and third sector, and civic engagement continues to be a key priority as we look forward to our Vision 2030 strategy.

The Community Impact Forum is a fantastic way to build new connections as we continue to promote our rich programme of public and community engagement activities, including volunteering, outreach and knowledge exchange. 

For more information on how you can get involved, email: b2b@canterbury.ac.uk