Lancaster University is one of nine organisations who have pledged to work together more closely to improve the lives of the local community with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Signed at Lancaster Castle this August, the MOU marks the creation of a new Lancaster District Strategic Partnership (LDSP).

Through the partnership, the founding member organisations will work together to improve the Lancaster District aligned to agreed strategic priorities – sustainability and the climate emergency, the economy, health and wellbeing and communities. 

Founding organisations include Lancaster City Council, Lancaster University, University of Cumbria, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster and Morecambe Chamber of Commerce, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Lancaster District CVS and Lancaster Arts Partnership.

The partnership aims to deliver mutually beneficial local and regional projects by identifying and developing new opportunities for collaborative working between sectors. It also aims to maximise how organisations use their combined resources effectively to improve the Lancaster District.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield, said: “This partnership is a vital step in creating positive, meaningful, and long lasting change for and with the communities in our place. The LDSP fortifies our existing relationships with these fantastic anchor organisations across the district we’re delighted to be working so closely with them in support of our shared priorities.”