Our city, our county, our community

The following examples are just a few of the projects we've been working on and supporting over the past year.

S.H.E.D goes on tour

Unveiled earlier this year, the S.H.E.D (Social Higher Education Depot) project is a flatpack, reconfigurable garden shed that can be transformed into eight different configurations, to deliver a variety of events.

The project was developed by Dr Rhiannon Jones, Artist and Researcher at the University of Derby’s School of Arts, whose research explores design of dialogue, and ways to create design spaces to generate conversation. In October, the S.H.E.D visited a number of schools across the city, and was used as a pop-up venue for pupils to participate in arts and sports events hosted by local organisations.

Find out more about S.H.E.D

Civic Roadshows

The University of Derby hosted ‘Civic Roadshows’ at its Buxton and Chesterfield campuses, as part of a series of free events to provide the wider community with the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the University can help to deliver long-term positive impact for Derby and Derbyshire.

The University is keen to understand what the biggest challenges are facing communities, businesses and organisations within the city, county, and how it can focus its civic endeavours.

To have your say, please complete our survey at derby.ac.uk/civic.

SME event at Chesterfield

This September an event took place at the University’s St Helena Campus in Chesterfield which welcomed local employers to the institution to see how the University’s staff and students can work with them.

The event provided a chance for businesses to see ways in which the University can support them in terms of funding, finding graduates with the right skills to help their business grow, and helping to develop their employees’ knowledge and skills.

Volunteering Fair

In October, the University welcomed 65 charities and not-for-profit organisations to its annual volunteering fair, offering great opportunities to our students, staff and the local community.

This year the volunteering fair started with a networking event for community partners. The fair gave local organisations a chance to promote their business and the volunteering opportunities they have available to keen students who want to gain real-world experience.

Throughout the year students across the University have volunteered in the local community in different roles for a number of organisations, including Derby Museums and Steps for the Future, which provides dance and music lessons to adults with differences.