Number one for social enterprise

Transforming lives, inspiring change

The case for Social Enterprise aspirations and impacts

The University of Northamptons new strategy for 20102015, Raising the Bar, sets a new and unique direction: we aim to be the leading university in the UK for social enterprise by 2015.
The implementation of The University of Northamptons social enterprise strategy has three main elements: new student offer A he integration of social enterprise into teaching and T learning, and research throughout the University long-term strategic project with local authorities, A businesses, the third sector and individuals throughout the county, aiming to deliver significant improvements to the community through support for social enterprise and socially entrepreneurial approaches opportunities may be in businesses the University or student sets up, or one already operating in the local community. Delivering this offer will develop creative potential, research skills, new entrepreneurial competences and significantly enhance the employability of our student population. In addition, many of our students will be able to earn money while studying through their work in social enterprises. Our approach to integrating social enterprise into teaching and learning is based on the needs of our students and the opportunities that present themselves. Some of our established degree programmes are combining learning with the delivery of services to clients through social enterprises models. Examples include Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, and Events Management. Other degree courses have modules or learning materials on social enterprise.

A new student offer

From October 2011 all students at The University of Northampton will have the opportunity to work in a social enterprise as part of their degree courses. These

inSpirE Northamptonshire
inSpirE Northamptonshire is a major long-term project delivered in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council, public sector organisations, businesses and social enterprises throughout the county. inSpirE supports new and existing social enterprises, and community and voluntary organisations by: roviding them with training and development material, P allowing them to become more professional and take advantages of the new opportunities that are emerging to deliver public services ngaging them more effectively with businesses and E local authorities nabling volunteers in the county (including our staff and E student volunteers) to find an organisation which allows them to effectively utilise their skills and capabilities

New knowledge
The Universitys Centres of Research Excellence network produce internationally renowned and specialised research. They are now dedicated to identifying how social enterprise can be integrated with existing projects. All new research will consider how academic activity can contribute new knowledge to inform social enterprise initiatives locally, nationally and internationally.

Our strategy for social enterprise gives exciting opportunities to our staff and students, and delivers real benefits to our external community. We are the socially enterprising university delivering a socially enterprising society. Professor Simon Denny, Director of Social Enterprise

No. 1 on The Guardian League Table 2012 for Value Added

To find out more about social enterprise at The University of Northampton Professor Simon Denny, Director of Social Enterprise Telephone 01604 892363 Email simon.denny@northampton.ac.uk Chris Durkin, Associate Director, NIUA Telephone 01604 892080 Email chris.durkin@northampton.ac.uk Chris Moore, Dean, School of Social Sciences Telephone 01604 892022 Email chris.moore@northampton.ac.uk Web www.northampton.ac.uk/socialenterprise Avenue Campus St Georges Avenue Northampton NN2 6JD Park Campus Boughton Green Road Northampton NN2 7AL
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