Since the launch of our Civic Agreement in 2021, we have been working to grow our social and economic impact. We were proud to secure University of Sanctuary status and the NCCPE Engage Silver Watermark in recognition of our work with our communities. Alongside this we have worked on developing a range of new initiatives and programmes that build upon Solent’s track record of building long term, mutually beneficial collaborations. On this page you can read more about our impact across the region and the outputs achieved through our Civic Charter.
Enabling lifelong learning as a multiversity
Through working with a variety of organisations across the region, we are enabling our communities to grow and develop their employability and skills. Alongside the establishment of the South Coast Institute of Technology and our continued investment in access and widening participation activities we have:
- Launched the Southampton Solent University 'Make a Difference' volunteering programme, engaging 114 staff and delivering over 684 community hours during its first year.
- Established a Get Into Volunteering festival as part of National Student Volunteering Week, resulting in 191 engagements with our student community.
- Provided 64 hours of pro-bono community meeting space to local charities and community-based organisations.
- Showcased the University through a city-wide event and festival programme, enabling knowledge exchange between our academic and local communities. Examples include the ABP Southampton Marathon, Southampton Pride and Southampton Mela.
Build culturally enriched and healthy communities as a diffusion engine
Southampton Solent is proud to play an active role in celebrating our vibrant and diverse communities. As a civic university based in the heart of the city, we have been working with organisations across the SO14 neighbourhood to strengthen our relationships and deliver on projects that benefit the wider region. Since launching our Civic Agreement we have:
- Secured University of Sanctuary status, offering an annual Sanctuary Scholarship to our sanctuary seeking communities.
- Worked with partners including Southampton City Council and CLEAR to establish the Southampton Sanctuary Network, allowing the sharing of best practice and co-creation of projects in the city.
- Established our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Action Plan and calendar of faith events to be celebrated on campus.
- Launched a formalised community complaints service, enabling residents to feedback on neighbourhood concerns.
- Funded additional waste collections in the SO14 neighbourhood at the end of the academic year.
- Been a strategic partner of the Southampton Health Determinants Research Collaboration.
- Played a pivotal role in Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture, providing pro-bono office space and maximising the benefits of the bid process that are being driven by Southampton Forward.
- Placed over 500 students with a range of NHS Trusts and community partners.
- Established our Health4Her and Health4Him programmes, welcoming over 200 woman from ethnic minorities, and supporting around 50 refugee men.
- Celebrated 10 years of our partnership with the Saints Foundation, supporting local charity action with over 1,000 voluntary hours donated.
- Partnered with the British Heart Foundation to deliver the RevivR Start a Heart campaign.
Globally connect our place to drive economic growth
As we have emerged from Covid-19 and adapted our relationship with the EU, working with partners to ensure long-term economic prosperity for the region has been a key priority. Our senior leadership team play an active role in driving Southampton and the Central South's future growth through representation on key strategic boards including the Southampton Renaissance board. Working with large and small organisations our range of business solutions continues to support individuals and organisations with their growth and development. Here are some of our highlights:
- Delivery of the Help to Grow: Management programme, supporting 34 businesses across the region.
- Establishment of Impact Boards within the University, allowing industry to directly feed into our future growth and development plans.
- Welcomed over 12,000 new graduates to our global alumni network.
- Establishment of our Innovation Voucher programme, enabling small businesses to access up to £5,000 of funding to support their growth and development.
Discover more about Solent’s approach to working with local communities or get in touch to begin a collaboration.
