St Catherine’s and UCLan partnership scoops prestigious education award

A partnership between St Catherine’s and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) which is helping to inform the long-term future direction of the charity whilst developing the workforce of tomorrow has been recognised with a gong at this year’s Educate North Awards.

The two Central Lancashire organisations scooped the Business/Industry Collaboration Award, being presented with the trophy at a high profile awards ceremony in Manchester.

The hospice and university have always worked closely in clinical areas, with the hospice proud to regularly welcome student nurses, doctors and other trainee therapists and support workers on placements.

The partnership was extended and has developed into new sectors since an official Memorandum of Understanding was signed three years ago.

Projects since then have included post-graduate MBA students working up a digital marketing strategy for the charity; software students taking part in a hackathon in partnership with Blue Wren digital agency looking at solutions where technology could make life easier for the hospice; and retail management students assisting with the development of a buying strategy for the St Catherine’s trading team.

An important on-going initiative is a joint research project looking at the hospice facilities which will be required to deliver the care of St Catherine’s in the long term future.

Lynn Kelly, Director of Knowledge and Technical at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “We’re extremely proud to have won this award alongside our partners at UCLan – it is fantastic recognition for the valuable work which has been carried out and continues to take place as part of this collaboration.

“As we work towards delivering our mission of helping more people in Central Lancashire facing life-shortening conditions to have quality of life to the end of life, it’s important we are investing in, and learning from, not only our future doctors, nurses and other health and social care professionals, but also the next generation of fundraisers, communicators, retailers and more.

“A huge range of disciplines, skills and sectors are involved in the successful running of the hospice and we’re pleased that this partnership reflects this. As we look ahead to the future of the hospice and charity – ensuring it will be here to care for local people for another 34 years and beyond – we are also very privileged to be working with UCLan, benefiting from their extensive knowledge, experience and skills.”

Cheryl Gordon, Senior Lecturer in Retail Management at UCLan, said: “This award celebrates the diverse interdisciplinary collaborations being developed within an important partnership, which we will continue to build upon in the future. This collaboration with St Catherine’s provides our students with hands-on, practical experience of working with a company as well as benefitting a very worthy charity at the same time.”

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