The Community University Partnership Programme (www.cupp.org.uk) leads the University of Brighton approach to links with our local community. Community engagement within SASS has been utilised to enrich the undergraduate student experience through the Community, Participation and Development module. This provides interesting and stimulating community projects for students to undertake as part of their studies.
At postgraduate level a voluntary sector pathway has been developed to support the learning of managers in the community and voluntary sector. A Social Research MA has also been developed and the school is in the process of establishing a Community Psychology MA.
Cupp and SASS have worked together on many projects that involve staff and students working alongside community organisations to address disadvantage in our local area. Here are a few examples:
Moulsecoomb Community Participation Research Project involves academics, students, residents and community workers. This research team will use the lived experience of residents in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in our locality to compare the benefits and effectiveness (for them) of diverse methods of engaging in their community, how this engagement is developed into meaningful participation and how it works for people who experience additional levels of disadvantage.
Social Action Research To Promote Sustainable Living In Social Housing
This participatory action research project is engaging social housing residents in environmental issues and involving them in the development of community action to promote sustainable living. The project is exploring how experiences, views and practices relating to sustainable living vary across housing tenures, socio-economic circumstances and across different neighbourhoods in Brighton & Hove. Project partners include Hyde Housing, The School of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Brighton and Brighton & Hove City Council.
Gardening and Older People Project
This project established a Community Gardening Partnership between the University of Brighton School of Applied Social Science and a community of older people living in the Orchards sheltered housing scheme, East Brighton. The project explored increasing participation in gardening activities to improve the quality of life, well-being and community interaction of older people.
For more details see the Cupp website
