University's Community Relations Team Wins National Award
2 December 2011
Peter Walker and Betty Phoba with the award for Outstanding Contribution To The Local Community
This represents an outstanding example of knowledge exchange that has strengthened community links with the University of Derby
”Shearer West, Head of Humanities at the University of Oxford
UDC Team with Betty Phoba
The evening's winners
The University of Derby won in two categories at the finals of the Times Higher Education awards evening 2011, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on November 24. Derby was shortlisted and won in the Outstanding Contribution To The Local Community and Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative categories.
Outstanding Contribution To The Local Community
The University's Community Relations team won this category, which recognised imaginative attempts to aid the wider community socially, culturally or economically.
More than 500 people have benefited from the innovative community work run by the University of Derby, under the leadership of its Community Relations Officer Peter Walker.
Projects included a sewing group, community exhibition, a drop-in centre for people going through the asylum seekers process, and a library community space which has already hosted more than 200 events and art therapy sessions.
These initiatives have been done with community support, including that of Betty Phoba; Chair of the Voice of Congolese Women group and a key player in the University's work.
Statements highlighted by the judging panel included:
"I am a different person - I have got my life back." This testimonial from a member of the Congolese community speaks volumes about the transformational impact of the University of Derby's work with the forced migrant group over the past year.
One community member, whose four children are also now living in the UK, said that the project had been "transformational" for his family.
Shearer West, head of humanities at the University of Oxford and one of the judges, said: "Derby undertook a sensitive, focused analysis of the needs of vulnerable women and youth in their local Congolese community.
Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative
The University's business-to-business arm, University of Derby Corporate (UDC), won this category which recognised strategic and innovative approaches to delivering employers' workforce development needs.
Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, said: "It is always pleasing to see the University recognised at such a high level for the excellent work that my colleagues produce.
"These are major awards for the universities sector and to win in two different areas is very special."
Peter Walker, Community Relations Officer, said: "I am delighted that we have won, it's an endorsement of all the work we have been doing in reaching out to our local communities over the past three years."
In the Outstanding Contribution To The Local Community Derby was up against five other institutions, University for the Creative Arts, University of Huddersfield, University of Kent, Universities of Leeds and Huddersfield (ALPS) and University of Salford.
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