Civic engagement placements

Abstract

Liverpool City Region includes some of the most deprived boroughs in England. LJMU has committed to act as an anchor institution in the City serving local communities. In the Faculty of Health, we have recognised the importance of promoting health through community engagement and consider this vital in preparing future professionals for the role they will play after graduation.

Building on our partnerships across the region, we have developed work-based learning experiences that will deepen students understanding of health and the impact of the wider social determinants. By supporting students to gain this experience we hope to develop a workforce with the knowledge and skills required to shape and provide services that meet the holistic needs of local people and reduce social inequalities.

In the presentation we will first explain the rationale behind civic engagement placements and how this might contribute to population health. We will discuss the international and national context in which the project has been developed.

We will share the approach taken to expand placement capacity at LJMU, the limiting and facilitating factors in developing partnerships with placement providers and the difficulties encountered in managing the project.

Two students will share their experience of the placement reflecting on their learning objectives and the interest of community engagement for their future professional practice.

We will conclude with how the project has created opportunities to develop employability skills training and discuss the potential to build capacity for work-based experience for all LJMU students through health creation initiatives, whilst positively contributing to the health of the local population.