Exceed in Coventry

Exploring the impacts of Brexit for protected food names (PFN) in the UK


Funder

European Social Fund 

Value

£205,061 (not including CU matched funding contribution)

COLLABORATORS

  • Coventry City Council (Lead Project Partner)
  • Working Actively to Change Hillfields
  • Voluntary Action Coventry
  • Valley House
  • Vanny Radio Community Broadcasters
  • Coventry University Social Enterprise Hub

Project team

  • Sinead Ouillon, Programme Lead
  • Helen Lewis, Fab Lab Coordinator
  • Claire Corbey, Fab Lab Trainer / Assessor
  • Keith Jeffrey, Managing Director, CUSE
  • Gabriela Matouskova , Business Delivery Manager, CUSE
  • Daniel Range, Senior Research Assistant
  • David McIlhatton, Senior Research Fellow
  • Kelly Bogue, Research Assistant
  • Sharon Cartwright, Research Delivery Support Partner
  • Amy Arnold, Research Delivery Support Assistant

Project overview

What is Exceed in Coventry?

Exceed in Coventry is a three-year project providing tailored help and support to over 1,300 Coventry residents, enabling them to progress into education, training, job search or employment.

Exceed in Coventry is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

What is Coventry University's Role?

As a partner for ‘Exceed in Coventry’ the University is working with Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre and other project partners to recruit and support BME communities into the project. In addition, Coventry University, City Council and Age UK Age Friendly City project is supporting the recruitment and support of individuals over 50 years of age. 

Fab Lab Coventry is an informal city-centre space where Exceed participants can learn new skills, complete work experience projects and engage with local employers.  Participants can choose from a range of entry level courses that are centred on advanced manufacturing and IT. Participants will also receive pre-employment support, including the opportunity to become trainers to deliver Fab Lab activity such as hosting a fix-it club / repair café.  Participants can gain recognition for the engineering and technical skills they gain in the Fab Lab through an accredited OCN course: ‘Using Digital Fabrication Systems’. 

Over the duration of the project, the University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) will train 90 participants as ‘Peer Engagement Volunteers’ who will work alongside the Progress coaches to support engagement.  Whilst contributing to the overall success of the project, Peer Engagement Volunteers will also build their own confidence and abilities. 

Coventry University Social Enterprise (CUSE) Community Interest Company (CIC) will provide access to support into self-employment through their Enterprise Hub. 

How do I find out more?

 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Logo
University of the year shortlisted
QS Five Star Rating 2023