A guide to working with local communities
Community-university partnerships can be of mutual benefit to the partners that engage in them.
These partnerships come about through exciting two way exchanges of knowledge, experience and skills between university staff and community partners. Whilst there are challenges to overcome, getting involved in work that is of benefit to local communities is often stimulating and rewarding. For many university staff it is a welcome complement to their day to day university focused life.
This guide has been written by staff at the Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) in Brighton and takes an approach that starts from an analysis of local needs and assets within and outside of the university. It is designed to be applicable to any university. However, it is likely that many activities with communities are already underway and are at different stages of development in the institution. This approach may serve as a starting point for a growth of these activities.