Institute for Social Justice expands community work with charities and social enterprises across Yorkshire and beyond

As UN World Day of Social Justice (today, 20 February) aims to remind us all of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies, York St John University's Institute for Social Justice (ISJ) is expanding its impactful work in local communities. 

The fourth year of the ISJ’s innovative Community Research Grants (CRG) programme is underway. Applications are now open, with the team seeking interest from voluntary, charity, and social enterprise (VCSE) groups across Yorkshire and the Humber.   

The CRG scheme offers up to £10,000 in funding for research collaborations between community groups and York St John academics and researchers. Priority will be given to organisations that have a strong community-led ethos and/or incorporate significant community participation.  

This unique initiative enables VCSEs to define pressing issues in their communities and work hand-in-hand with York St John researchers to explore and address them.  

The CRG programme has a proven track record of supporting powerful projects, including York’s anti-racism strategy, community perspectives on forced migration with Leeds-based Give a Gift, and tackling public harm against women and girls through The Dancefloor Project. Recent collaborations include: 

• Men’s suicide prevention impact evaluation (with Menfulness) 

• Community led tourism in York (with Good Organisation) 

• Reimagining Door 84 through youth and community participatory research and co-creation (with Door 84 Youth and Community Centre) 

• Foregrounding the experiences of neurodivergent learners and educators (with Spectrum First Education Ltd) 

The team are particularly keen to work with smaller, local organisations and are offering two online briefing sessions to guide applicants through the process. 

Briefing Event 1: Monday 24 February 2025, 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Online. 

Briefing Event 2: Wednesday 5 March 2025, 10.00am to 11.30am. Online.  

Professor Matthew Reason, Director of the Institute for Social Justice said: “Over the last three years our team at the Institute for Social Justice has been developing its expertise in co-produced research and seeing what positive impacts this can have on our community.  

“We’re very pleased to open up another round of Community Research Grants to bring together new partnerships between academics and local VCSE organisations. Through their different but complimentary skills and shared vision and ethos, these partnerships produce useful and impactful research that supports VCSE work in meaningful ways.     

“If you can see the value of research expertise and insight to help your organisation contribute to positive change, we'd love to hear from you and look forward to supporting you through the application process and beyond." 

A supportive partnership from the start 

One of the currently funded CRG projects is exploring community engagement with Up for Yorkshire.

Bryony Boyle, their Head of Strategy and Partnerships said: "We have been delighted to secure a community research grant with the Institute for Social Justice. It's a fantastic opportunity for a VCSE organisation to collaborate with academic researchers, learn and develop our practice and demonstrate the impact of community delivery.   

“We've found the process to be very supportive and adaptable, with a shared ambition with our matched research team to enhance opportunities for communities by bringing together our experience and perspectives. We're looking forward to next 6-months of partnership working and sharing our findings."  
 

Transformational outcomes 

Hanif Malik, co-founder of Give a Gift, an ongoing CRG partner, said: “The Community Research Grant from York St John University’s Institute for Social Justice has been instrumental in helping Give a Gift deepen our understanding of health and wellbeing inequalities among ethnic minority communities in Leeds.  

“Through this collaboration, we have not only gained valuable insights but have also enhanced our skillset in conducting research with our target groups. 

“The experience has given us the confidence to engage community researchers effectively, ensuring that lived experiences remain at the heart of our work. The partnership has been very useful in strengthening our approach to community-led research, and the researchers were both friendly and supportive of our work. 

“I would highly recommend it to any third-sector organisations who are looking to carry out similar work and generate evidence about the impact of the work.”  

Jamie Williams, co-director at Spectrum First Education Ltd said: “The CRG scheme has been transformative. This work has enabled us to deepen our practice, present at high-profile events, co-host a national conference, publish in an esteemed journal, be introduced to new opportunities and networks, and forge valuable working partnerships for the future.  

“The Institute for Social Justice - and York St John University as a whole - has welcomed and supported us wonderfully at every stage.” 

Expanding the work with York St John University London  

The ISJ team has now broadened the scope of their work with a dedicated grant opportunity with YSJ London. The first beneficiaries were True Cadence, with a project focused on growing music opportunities for young people in East London. This led to True Cadence being awarded £19.5K from Westfield East Bank Creative Futures to develop Beats and Boroughs; an East London Music Network in collaboration with young people and organisations in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

The network will enhance opportunities and deepen collaboration between diverse young people, artists and organisations working with communities for positive change through music. 

Emmanuel 'Manny Loveankh’ Ebokosia, True Cadence Founder & CEO said:   

"Real change starts with asking the right questions - not just relying on existing data, but going into our communities to find the answers no one has uncovered yet. The ISJ Community Research Grant gave us the chance to do exactly that. With the support of an incredible team of researchers, we were able to dig deeper, showcase our impact, connect with others who share our vision, and take the lead in creating the change we want to see."   

Visit York St John Community Research Grants for more information and to apply.  
 
Applications are open until noon on Friday 28 March.