Our Civic Commitment

Launching a free Saturday Club for 13-to-16-year-olds in Derby

The University launched the first Saturday Club for Derby this year, focused on Society and Change. This is part of a National Saturday Club network of clubs designed to support 13-to-16-year-olds with opportunities for creative and cultural engagement.

Free and open to young people of all abilities, the Saturday Club began on 4 March and will culminate in an exhibition at Somerset House, London in July 2023.

Dr Rhiannon Jones, Associate Professor (Civic) at the University of Derby, said: “I think the Saturday Club really shows the power of working with external stakeholders, creating a partnership which draws on the expertise and resources of several groups to deliver something unique and impactful. Through the connections of those groups, we’ve been able to recruit a full cohort very quickly and we’ve already got a waiting list for September – which shows just how in-demand this kind of programme is in our region.

“Not only is this a civic project, but we’re also encouraging the next generation to think about citizenship – what impact can they have locally? We’re physically bringing them into the University space and raising aspirations, as well as introducing them to other civic organisations in and around Derby.”

Securing a Bronze Engage Watermark for public engagement

In December, the University was awarded the Bronze Engage Watermark by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), in recognition of its outstanding commitment to supporting public engagement.

Commenting at the time, Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, said: “We are delighted to receive this Bronze Engage Watermark in recognition of the University’s ongoing commitment to high quality public engagement.

“At the heart of university life is the imperative to create new knowledge and understanding and develop valuable and effective partnership working. Our approach to this engenders formal engagement, not just with the University community but directly with the many communities that are within our region and beyond.”

Supporting Darley First Responders

In February, the University donated £1,600 to a team of local volunteers who support the East Midlands Ambulance Service, covering the costs of equipping a first responder with the necessary kit to reduce overall time taken to provide medical treatment.

Established in November 2021, Darley First Responders (Darley CFR) is a team of trained volunteers, deployed directly by the Ambulance Service to provide emergency care in Darley Abbey and the wider Derby area.

Professor Keith McLay, Provost – Learning and Teaching at the University of Derby, said: “One of the goals of our Civic University Agreement is to support the health and wellbeing of communities within the city and county, so when we received the request to provide funding for this life saving equipment, it was an easy decision to make.

“Community first responders play a vital role within the community, giving up their time to support people facing life-threatening situations. We are delighted to support Darley CFR, even more so because Joshua, one of our students, is going to be the volunteer receiving the kit.”

Civic collaboration receives national partnership award

A partnership between the University of Derby and Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd, focused on developing the nuclear workforce of the future, has been recognised at a national industry awards ceremony.

The award recognises the strong partnership working between the organisations, in particular our collaboration on the new Nuclear Skills Academy, which opened its doors to 200 new apprentices in September 2022.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, said: “At Derby, we are committed to developing, training, empowering and supporting the next generation of game-changers, equipping them with the skills, experiences, resilience and curiosity to thrive and make a positive impact in the world.

“The Nuclear Skills Academy is the first of its kind, bringing together leading experts in industry and academia who are delivering skills for the future. We have a long-standing relationship with Rolls-Royce and are delighted that our approach to partnership working has been recognised through this award.”

Written by Laura Burden