South East Coastal Communities (SECC)

http://www.coastalcommunities.org.uk/

South East Coastal Communities (SECC) was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as a demonstrator project from 2008-2011. It involved nine universities in the South East. The aim of the project was for universities to work collaboratively with members of the local community in the area in order to build their capacity to meet their Health and Wellbeing needs.

SECC sought to encourage knowledge exchange between universities and the community across the South East coastal region.

In Sussex, South East Coastal Communities (SECC) funds and match funds were used to ensure effective access for community organisations into the Universities of Brighton, Chichester and Sussex.

The Universities of Brighton & Sussex developed four significant 'Communities of Practice' with practical projects, shared learning and dissemination. These communities of practice brought together academics, community practitioners, students, service users and community members to address areas of local and national concern in relation to enhancing health and wellbeing. They focused on the following specific themes: 

• Older people
• Young people and families
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual (LGBT)
• Disability

If you would like to read more information on the projects at the University of Brighton and Sussex follow the links in the box on the right hand side of this page.  

For further details about the South East Coastal Communities Programme and projects in the other regions visit http://www.coastalcommunities.org.uk/.