Edge Hill University students and staff spread festive cheer by supporting local charities

STUDENTS and staff at Edge Hill University have been spreading festive cheer by donating gifts to local charities. Organisations including:- Home Start family support charity, The Liberty Centre domestic violence support service, The Birchwood Centre homeless charity, Woodlands Animal Sanctuary and Noahs Ark Cat Rescue and Sanctuary were delighted to receive gifts collected by the University's Careers team through their Christmas Giving Tree initiative.

Karen Cooke, manager at Home Start Southport and Formby, said:- "Working families who are normally just about managing financially are really struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis, which has taken a huge toll, leading to anxiety, stress and mental Illness. Home-Start have been there for families, by their side, offering friendship and practical help, and where possible we help with emergency food vouchers, gas, electric and warm, friendly spaces where families can come together. Parents have been able to gain peer support and reduce isolation and loneliness. We are so grateful to everyone at Edge Hill for donating these small gifts of kindness which really will brighten Christmas up for our families."

The Christmas Giving Tree project encouraged students and staff to choose a gift tag from the Christmas tree in Catalyst, the University library, and donate the gift suggested on the tag.

Helen Rimmer, Careers Volunteering Adviser, explained their ambition to encourage as many people to take part as possible by providing ideas for low cost gifts. "We just wanted to help make a difference and enable as many people as possible to contribute. We were mindful that not everyone can give their time to volunteer regularly so we wanted to provide a snapshot of volunteering, to show you can make a difference without a huge commitment. And we know money is tight for a lot of people right now but we didn't want that to stop us being able to support some of our local charities, so by suggesting low-cost ideas everyone could take part."

The team aimed to collect a minimum of 90 gifts in recognition of the University celebrating 90 years at its Ormskirk campus and, thanks to the generosity of students and staff, the target was easily surpassed.

Lynn Anderton, fellow Careers Volunteering Adviser, added:- "Edge Hill is highlighting and celebrating our shared history with Ormskirk and, in line with the University's commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with the community, this is another way we can give back to the area which first welcomed us all those years ago."

Find out more about how Edge Hill is celebrating 90 years in Ormskirk here.

The University's Careers team helps students develop their employability, offering opportunities to learn, gain transferable skills and acquire relevant work experience.

New report on the future of work attracts attention of UK Parliamentarians
Photos Parliamentary Copyright.

A new online report exploring the impact of the Pandemic, an ageing workforce and new technology on work, and setting out evidence led policy recommendations from University of Manchester researchers on the best way ahead has been positively received by MPs.

Published by the University's policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester, Working Futures is a collection of 7 articles spanning a broad range of interrelated subject areas including:- equality at work, the need for greater support for those in frontline services, extending working lives for older employees and the implications of the digital revolution.

Kirsten Oswald MP (parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament)

In her foreword, Naomi Clayton, Deputy Director at the Learning and Work Institute, highlights growing inequalities in the UK labour market alongside limited progression from low pay. She writes:- "Policymakers should also explore how innovation and technological developments can be shaped, in part through regulation, to ensure as many workers benefit as possible."

Ms Clayton adds:- "The contributions in this Policy@Manchester publication consider the policy implications of a range of these issues. The articles consider the impact of changes in the labour market from a range of different perspectives - and, crucially, present evidence-led ideas about how we might address challenges and tackle inequalities."

Stephen McPartland MP (parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament)

Stephen McPartland, the Conservative MP for Stevenage and a member of the All- Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Future of Work, welcomed the new report as an important contribution to building a deeper understanding of the challenges that are already shaping working life for millions across the country.

"Every single one of us is currently living through some of the most profound, rapid, and far-reaching changes in human history. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the nation's workplaces. The new Working Futures report produced by University of Manchester researchers contains a wealth of robust, evidence-based research that can shape policy responses and help us prepare for a very different future." he commented.

After reading the report, Kirsten Oswald, the Scottish National Party MP for East Renfrewshire and another member of the Future of Work APPG, expressed concerns that ongoing changes to the world of work could exacerbate inequalities that already exist. She continued:- "Technology, AI, and changes in what consumers and society demand, coupled with the impact of Covid19 on how we work, mean continued change is inevitable. If we don't want to risk increased polarisation and an explosion in low wage high turnover jobs, we need to act to secure the future of work in a way that will benefit society."

Ms Oswald, her party's spokesperson on Equalities and Women, also called for action from Ministers to hardwire equality into a rapidly changing workplace environment. "Wellbeing, fair work, flexibility, and the smart use of technology and AI across all job sectors are the way forward. That will require determined action from the Government, and a willingness to let go of outmoded ideas about what work will look like. Positive change is not inevitable, but taking the steps to deliver structures to support a better working future will pay dividends across society."

Working Futures is available to read on the Policy@Manchester website.