 New Community Fellows scheme to strengthen sector links The University of Lancashire has appointed seven representatives from across the county’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector as its first Community Fellows, in a move designed to strengthen collaboration and provide a stronger voice for communities across the region. Based within the University’s School of Health, Social Work and Sport, the new Community Fellow Scheme brings together experienced sector leaders with strong networks, specialist knowledge and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for communities. The Fellows will play a key role in shaping collaborative activity between the University and the VCFSE sector. Each Fellow will determine how they contribute, with opportunities including supporting research, influencing policy and enhancing the student experience through guest lectures, events and volunteering opportunities. This exciting new scheme begins with open conversations about what we can achieve together, what the organisations need from us as a University, and how we can best support them, while also reflecting on the contribution we can make.– Dr Bryan Jones, Dean of the School of Health, Social Work and Sport The inaugural Community Fellows are:
Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), said: “This partnership has the potential to become one of the strongest in the country. The real question is how it delivers tangible benefits for everyone involved. “For the University, it provides access to some of the best examples of community engagement, creating opportunities for research, teaching and investment. For the voluntary sector, it offers greater visibility, support and the chance to strengthen outcomes for communities across Lancashire.” “For the voluntary sector, it offers greater visibility, support and the chance to strengthen outcomes for communities across Lancashire.'' – Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) Joe Hannett, CEO of Community Futures, which is based in Fulwood, said: “While we know the work the VCFSE sector does is socially valuable and economically important, the research evidence is still too limited to influence policy and investment decisions effectively. “Partnership with a university offers a real opportunity to change that. Through stronger research, we can better understand how this sector supports health, wellbeing, employment and opportunity, as well as its wider economic contribution.” Christine Blythe, Chief Officer, Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Lancashire CVS (Council for Voluntary Service), said: “The voluntary sector is an essential and crucial element in enabling social prescribing to work effectively but it needs proper support. By working with the University of Lancashire, we can strengthen our impact while giving students real insight into the role communities play in health and wellbeing.” “By working with the University of Lancashire, we can strengthen our impact while giving students real insight into the role communities play in health and wellbeing.'' – Christine Blythe, Chief Officer, Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Lancashire CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) “For the University, it provides access to some of the best examples of community engagement, creating opportunities for research, teaching and investment. For the voluntary sector, it offers greater visibility, support and the chance to strengthen outcomes for communities across Lancashire.” Naz Zaman, CEO of Blackburn-based Inclusive North, said: ''At Inclusive North, our focus is on racial justice, equity and systems change. Through this partnership, we want to explore how we can work more closely with the university and other organisations to advance that agenda across Lancashire.'' “We’re particularly keen to involve students in this work, helping them gain practical experience while also supporting the development of our organisation and wider system change efforts. Together, we can build something that delivers real impact.” ''At Inclusive North, our focus is on racial justice, equity and systems change. Through this partnership, we want to explore how we can work more closely with the university and other organisations to advance that agenda across Lancashire.''– Naz Zaman, CEO of Blackburn-based Inclusive North The Community Fellows scheme is expected to expand over the coming year, with further Fellows to be appointed. It works in a similar way to the University of Lancashire’s well-established Leaders in Residence and Entrepreneurs in Residence programmes, both of which offer mutually beneficial opportunities to students and the organisations involved.Professor St John Crean, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Lancashire, added: “The scheme will contribute to research and knowledge exchange projects, enabling the University to operationalise the industrial strategy and Lancashire growth plans by ensuring the communities are in a position to benefit from those directions of travel.” People interested in learning more about the scheme can visit the dedicated webpage on the University’s website . ''At Inclusive North, our focus is on racial justice, equity and systems change. Through this partnership, we want to explore how we can work more closely with the university and other organisations to advance that agenda across Lancashire.'' – Naz Zaman, CEO of Blackburn-based Inclusive North Comments are closed.
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July 2026
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