This autumn, together with the team pursuing Coventry's UK City of Culture 2021 bid, we are piloting a new version of our Developing Community Cultural Leadership course.

Our Community Engagement Development Manager, Mark Hinton, works to develop new ways for the Centre to engage with communities that are least engaged with the University of Warwick. Since 2014, he has worked with colleagues from the voluntary and community sectors in Coventry and Warwickshire to provide opportunities for disadvantaged communities to access free Developing Community Leadership courses.

Run in community venues, these have provided directly useful skills and a confidence boost to those working to improve their neighbourhoods and increase social cohesion. With the help of Steve Gascoigne, course director of our Gateway programme, the courses have also offered a gentle first introduction to HE, and the opportunity to meet one or two of our Student Ambassadors.

Working with a diverse group of people involved in the arts and culture who are in their twenties, and come from Foleshill, and other disadvantaged areas of Coventry, this course aims to contribute to the development of the next generation of diverse cultural leaders in the city.

It will also introduce them to elements of study at higher education, increase their confidence, and give them opportunities to work with and meet more established arts and cultural practitioners. You can find out more information here.