28.03.2007
The University of Brighton will celebrate another year of successful partnerships within the community at the Cupp (Community University Partnership Programme) conference on 28 March.
Set up by the university in 2003 to develop its relationship with the local community, Cupp is now leading the way in a new kind of engagement between the university and local communities.
The conference, called 'Communities of practice', brings together groups of people with common interests to exchange ideas and develop innovative solutions to shared problems. It will highlight a number of Cupp funded projects already making an impact in the community including initiatives to address climate change, domestic violence and the marginalization faced by lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender communities.
The day will also explore how students, academics, community workers, volunteers and service providers can look to develop future dynamic and effective partnerships by working together on projects they are passionate about.
Cupp has supported numerous projects which will be showcased at the conference. These include Access to Art, a groundbreaking partnership between university arts students and artists with learning disabilities. The conference will culminate with a tour around the artists' exhibition at the Phoenix Arts Association.
Detail from Access to Art artwork by John Cull.
Another successful project explores resilient therapy using a new therapeutic methodology. This project draws on university and partner expertise to produce an evidence-based, practical, user-friendly 'box of ordinary magic tricks'. This 'magic box' aims to help adults involved with disadvantaged children enhance their resilience with specific help and advice.
"The university has a responsibility and a desire to support its local communities," said Director of Cupp Dave Wolff. "For the university, each Cupp project contributes either to research, or to student learning. For the community organisations, each project aims to address a real business need. The benefits are mutual and mutually reinforcing."
Vice Chancellor Professor Crampton said: "Cupp's model of community university partnership aims to translate ideas of 'working together' into real equality both in and with the community. With increasing pressure on higher education to be less remote and to foster in students a sense of citizenship as well as skills for real life, we'll see more of the kind of social engagement and dialogue in which Cupp is leading the way."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
