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University has a 'responsibility to listen and act'

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire
News imageUniversity of Northampton Becky Bradshaw, standing in a room, by a sign, wearing a white shirt, checked jacket, with a lanyard round her neck. She has short bobbed hair, she is smiling and looking straight at the camera. University of Northampton
Becky Bradshaw said she brought together people from Northamptonshire to have an "open conversation about our shared future"

The head of a university has said it has a "responsibility to listen and act" to ensure a county's best possible future.

In an open letter, Becky Bradshaw, the interim vice chancellor of the University of Northampton, asked: "What do we want our communities to look like in 20 years?"

She said a "Future Communities" event on Tuesday, which brought together leaders, businesses, organisations, students and residents had "kickstarted a conversation, not a conclusion".

Bradshaw added that the challenges the county faces "cannot be solved by individual organisations working in isolation".

News imageUniversity of Northampton A close up photo of three people, with a man in the middle with his arms up. He is wearing a yellow cap with green shirt and black T-shirt. A man to his left is wearing a T-shirt, has sunglasses on and has short dark hair. A woman is to the right, with short grey hair, and wearing a blue jacket. There are people behind them sitting around a table.University of Northampton
People from across Northamptonshire came together to discuss their ambitions for the county

In the letter posted on the university's website, Bradshaw said that universities are often described "in terms of economic contribution", adding:

"Those things matter – but our contribution to Northamptonshire is about more than economic impact."

She highlighted examples where the University already works alongside the community, including its involvement in the Orchard Project at the Autumn Centre in Corby, helping to strengthen dementia awareness and support, and also how its student midwives support about 2,500 births a year.

The University also partners with Move Northamptonshire, tackling inequalities across the county and helping people to be physically active. The partnership helped two unitary authorities and Northamptonshire Sport to secure £2.3m of funding from Sport England.

Bradshaw said she hoped the event "will create further opportunities for people across Northamptonshire to tell us what matters to them and what they need from their local university".

News imageUniversity of Northampton A large group of people, in a room, all sitting down. Most have their hands up. They are sitting by tables. University of Northampton
One of the questions asked at the event was "what opportunities and barriers will shape that future?"

She said: "We are a university that listens, and we want to play a full part in building the future of our community and a place we are proud to call home.

"The conversation starts here".

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