By Professor Robert Van de Noort
What’s the point of a university? One of our key purposes is to serve the communities around us. We have campuses and operations worldwide, and our very existence is intertwined with our towns and regions.
We owe our existence to the people of Reading, who set up the educational and research institutions that became the University. Today we employ thousands of local people, our students and staff live in the community, and our research often tackles issues of local and regional importance.
Beyond this inherent connection, we want to go further to deepen our bonds with the communities in the places we live and work. We have a duty to share our knowledge, capabilities and resources for the public good. Our mission is to being an engaged, outward-looking institution that uses the skills and expertise of our community, to positively impact the places we call home throughout Reading, Wokingham and the wider Thames Valley.
That’s why we have just announced three major community projects, as part of our University For Reading initiative.
First is the launch of our inaugural Charity of the Year scheme.
Each year, we will select a local charity partner to support in a variety of ways. This could include fundraising, volunteering, collaboration and promotional opportunities. It will allow us to provide support that creates meaningful change for an organisation doing vital work. We are inviting charities to apply for the scheme now, with applications closing on June 3.
More information on criteria and how to apply can be found on the university website.
Our Community Fund initiative is returning for its fourth year.
With up to £30,000 available for the forthcoming academic year, this fund allows our staff to obtain grants for community projects they are involved with, either as part of their job or in a voluntary capacity, across the Thames Valley. Literacy initiatives, environmental projects and inclusive sporting groups have all been helped in the past.
The fund supports our people who are already making a tangible difference to the projects and communities that are close to their hearts.
Finally, later this year we will roll out a new staff volunteering scheme to encourage our 4,500 employees to more spend time giving back during the working week.
By giving colleagues two days per year specifically for volunteering, we hope more will share their skills and time with local charities, schools, community groups and other worthy causes.
Our students will benefit, too, because a more empowered, engaged workforce can be a powerful catalyst for positive change.
These initiatives exemplify our mission to be an anchor institution, allowing those around us to achieve even more. As Vice-Chancellor, I am tremendously proud of the impactful work our staff and students already accomplish locally.
This was demonstrated in our Celebration of Volunteering Awards last week, which recognises the staff, students, alumni and supporters who have gone above and beyond to volunteer on campus or in their local community.
By further strengthening our community ties, the University of Reading remains an engine for education, opportunity and positive transformation for decades to come.
Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vice-chancellor of the University of Reading
