A decade of partnership in Canley has demonstrated Warwick’s strategic commitment to regional leadership and neighbourhood improvement. Together with the Centre for Lifelong Learning and colleagues from across the University, the Regional Strategy and Partnerships team is making an important contribution to community projects in Canley. Our focus on building relationships of trust with local neighbourhoods where we can increase opportunities and have greatest impact has elevated the influence of our collaboration with Canley.

Bringing our communities closer together

Living side by side with a world-leading university attracting students from all over the world, Canley, one of our closest neighbourhoods, can feel worlds apart, as regeneration projects stalled after the automotive industry moved away from the area. The Community Engagement Team have spent a decade bringing our communities closer together and, thanks to the generosity and energy of Canley residents, we are strengthening community resilience and helping those in our communities who need support.

Joining the resident-led stakeholders’ group in 2014 our team and student volunteers spent time improving green spaces and getting to know residents. Offering training on Warwick’s Community Leadership course through our Centre for Lifelong Learning empowered passionate local people to engage with the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of residents through the nationally recognised Planning for Real process.

This new community energy was attracting interest from the Council and proved a vital lifeline as the pandemic struck. The University, now a trusted partner, was able to support Canley’s many community groups addressing food insecurity and offered facilities and people power to establish Canley Food Hub. As the pandemic receded, we started planning with community leaders to bring people together again. Securing £200k from Spirit of 2012, and working through Warwick Arts Centre, we delivered Playing Out a creative participatory project.

Forming a close knit Playing Out steering group, Canley residents, leaders from community organisations and University staff aligned the project with residents’ interests. The three-year programme, short-listed for Community Engagement Project of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024, offered over 250 community sessions in visual arts, poetry, movement and music, open air film screenings and re-launched the Canley annual parade.

Canley is one of our closest neighbours and we have taken the time to build trust through respecting the diversity of experience and opinion and listening to community needs. Canley is home to hundreds of our staff and students and together with local community groups we are improving local resources, supporting the most vulnerable, and inspiring community pride. We are privileged to work with award-winning community leaders and colleagues from across the university who help create lasting change.