A COMMUNITY GROUP has partnered up with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to what it hopes will ‘link academic expertise to local projects’.

The Lancashire BME Network has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cement the new partnership, which will see them work together on a number of ventures.

The Blackburn-based group works with diverse communities to achieve ‘equity of access to support and services’. It will work closely with UCLan’s Global Race Centre for Equality which explores the ways that institutions and society can work towards racial equality more widely.

Naz Zaman, Lancashire BME Network Chief Officer, said: “Lancashire BME Network was founded on the principles of openness and collaborative working to bring about sustainable change for communities that have historically been marginalised.

"We welcome this partnership as an opportunity to feed into and learn from cutting-edge research being carried out by GRACE and UCLan.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

(L-R) Pro Vice-Chancellor for research and enterprise at UCLan, Professor StJohn Crean, Councillor Nweeda Khan, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lancashire BME Network and Naz Zaman, Lancashire BME Network Chief Officer Naz Zaman.

The relationship will also benefit UCLan students and staff by allowing the LBN to provide student placements and volunteering opportunities, as well as providing guest lectures.

Dr John Wainwright, Co-Director of GRACE, added: “There are so many mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties and we’re already looking forward to working on joint research projects that are specifically focused on improving the lives of marginalised communities in Lancashire.”

Director of UCLan’s GRACE Pradeep Passi said: “As a civic University we’re delighted to join forces with the Lancashire BME Network in order to empower our local communities. This partnership will link academic expertise with many local projects run by the Network to make sure they’re reaching the right people and having the maximum impact.”