Sheffield Hallam is proudly a university of place, rooted in the heart of our region and with a long history of civic engagement. And our leadership in the civic agenda and place-based higher education policy meant that we became the first national lead of the Civic University Network. To reaffirm our connection to our local region, in July 2021, we launched our first Civic University Agreement, setting out a series of commitments to our communities.
In developing our Agreement, we engaged with the general public, local organisations, staff, and partners across the region about how we can work with them to best support our communities. Over the last 12 months we have continued to work with these partners, making significant progress and driving positive change in South Yorkshire across four key themes – health, economy, education, and regenerating our community.
Since launching our Agreement, I’m proud of the progress we have made towards our commitments and the variety of projects that we and our partners have been able to take forwards. Importantly, this delivery has been underpinned by three core values which are integral to our Agreement and organisational culture – sustainability, community, and inclusion.
Progress, impact and delivery
In May 2021, as outlined in our Education and Skills commitments, we opened our Early Years Community Research Centre in Shirecliffe. Thanks to a unique partnership between Sheffield Hallam, Watercliffe Meadow School, Sheffield City Council and Save the Children UK, the Centre brings together quality nursery provision, student placements, applied research, knowledge exchange, community partnership, and business collaboration – all under one-roof. Based in a community in Sheffield that has long been underserved by quality early years provision, and with a wider mission to work with the local community to provide opportunity, it is truly a success of the civic university movement and potentially a blueprint for civic partnership delivery.
In January 2022, we reached a significant milestone in our pledge to support the region’s 52,000-strong SME community. Led by Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield, the Sheffield Innovation Programme, announced it has helped businesses deliver 400 new innovations, products, and services to date.
We welcomed regional partners to campus in March 2022 to mark the start of construction work on the first phase of our city campus development. Adjacent to Howard Street, the development will significantly improve a key gateway to Sheffield city centre, creating three new buildings and a public green space with more than 400 square meters of new greenery and social space.
And researchers at our Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre are working closely with Darnall Well Being on various initiatives, such as informing our ongoing research commitments and running Long Covid clinics to support those with long-term Covid symptoms and to help inform national understanding.
Looking ahead
So, that’s a brief look at what we have been working towards over the last 12 months or so. Despite the immense challenges brought by the pandemic, we are proud of the progress we have made across our key thematic areas – whilst recognising there is lots more we can do. But there is also a recognition from us all at Sheffield Hallam that this is not about ticking boxes, completion dates and pats on the back – but a fundamental shift in thinking and culture. Civic must now be our “business as usual.” Ultimately, we – students, staff, citizens, businesses, public services – all benefit.
This blog will now be a place to stay up-to-date on the latest news and progress on all our civic projects and themes, ideas, partnerships, challenges, and opportunities. I’m looking forward to contributions from colleagues and partners from across the region.
