LSBU and Lambeth Council have signed a new agreement to work in partnership to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, particularly for young people, and stimulate recovery across the borough. In particular they have agreed to:

• Provide greater opportunities for local residents to learn new skills through the pioneering LSBU Group(Lambeth College, two secondary schools and London South Bank University).
• Use LSBU research and insight to help Lambeth businesses grow as part of the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, while working with the Council to provide new jobs and training opportunities, particularly for young people.
• Collaborate to support the Council’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030, including through promoting sustainability in our buildings and green spaces.

In June 2016 LSBU signed an agreement with Lambeth Council, pledging to support the borough’s strategic priorities and ambitions for the local area. Examples of collaboration between the two organisations over the lifetime of this agreement includes:

• LSBU academics providing support and assessment of the Council’s Elevate programme which is breaking down barriers to employment and training for low-income residents, disabled residents, BAME residents and women in the creative and cultural industries. Already in its first year, around 500 residents have taken part in commissioned projects.
• Lambeth Council, alongside Lewisham, Southwark and Wandsworth Councils, with LSBU as a University partner, successfully bidding for £8m of strategic investment pot to drive economic growth in the ‘South London Innovation Corridor’.
• Giving over 1000 young women, opportunities to take part in sport and exercise through ‘This Girl Can Lambeth’ project and identifying reasons for inactivity among this group, using expertise from LSBU’s School of Applied Sciences.
• LSBU training apprentices employed at Lambeth Council in Town Planning and Digital Technology Solutions.
• LSBU supporting the creation of the Lambeth Climate Change Citizen’s Assembly.

The new Lambeth Council and LSBU ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ recommits the two organisations to work closely together over the next few years.

Professor David Phoenix, LSBU Vice Chancellor, said,

“By working closely together, Lambeth Council and LSBU have changed the lives of thousands of Lambeth residents, providing them with opportunities to learn new skills as well as supporting local businesses to grow.

“Now our renewed partnership gives us a broader capability to deal with the impact of the pandemic on residents across the borough. Lambeth College joined LSBU Group in 2019 and by aligning its teaching to the University and working with the Council thousands more people in Lambeth will get new opportunities to learn skills, find jobs and build successful careers. We will also use LSBU’s research expertise to help local businesses adapt and grow during this challenging time.”

Cllr Jack Hopkins, Lambeth Council Leader, said:

“As a council we are determined to help local people get access to the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers, so I’m delighted to be signing this important partnership with LSBU. The university is an incredible asset for our borough and this exciting new partnership will help secure further benefits for our borough.

“This agreement is particularly significant right now due to the huge impacts Covid-19 is having on our communities, our businesses and the local jobs market. Young people face new barriers and challenges when it comes to realising their career ambitions as a result. We have worked with LSBU on reaching an agreement that focusses on tackling these issues by supporting local businesses, providing people the opportunities to learn new skills and helping people find roles that will get them through this difficult time.”