Webinar programme

Join the UK Town and Gown Association (UKTGA) webinar programme: explore, connect, and shape the future of town-gown partnerships. 

The UKTGA is excited to present a webinar programme designed to bring together professionals working at the intersection of universities and their local communities. Covering a diverse range of topics—from effective student-community engagement and sustainable move-out strategies to leadership transitions and housing policy changes—each session is packed with insights, best practice, and expert-led discussions.  

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, learn from real-world case studies, or explore new ways to strengthen town-gown relationships, this series is for you. Open to all, these webinars are a great way to engage with the UKTGA network—if you’re not already a member, now is the perfect time to join and become part of a growing community dedicated to making a meaningful impact. 

Each webinar is free for members or £50 each for non-members.  

Becoming a member is easy and only costs your organisation from between £160-£365 dependant on the size and type of membership you choose. By your organisation joining the UKTGA, unlimited employees can join under a single membership. 

November

Stitch, Botch, and Build: Navigating Town and Gown Challenges at Move-In

Cooper Healey, Service Manager, Manchester Student Homes
Amanda Jackson, Sustainability Manager (Social Impact), University of Leeds

12.30-1.30pm 26 November 2025

The start of term brings more than just full halls—it reshapes local communities. Join UKTGA colleagues for a candid roundtable exploring how universities and towns managed the pressures and opportunities of summer move-in. We’ll discuss housing and neighbourhood impacts, managing logistics, supporting student behaviour, and building stronger local relationships. Bring your experiences, reflections, and fresh ideas for stitching together smoother, more collaborative starts to the year.

December

The Renters Right Act: What It Means for the Private Rented Sector and Town & Gown Partnerships

Cooper Healey, Service Manager, Manchester Student Homes
Hannah Shepherd (CIHCM), Senior Manager Community Relations & Housing, Durham University

This session will explore how the key reforms are being rolled out, when and how they are likely to impact on student accommodation, and how Town & Gown partnerships can work together to support fair, high-quality housing and resilient local communities.

January

Beyond Campus: NTU’s Collaborative Model for Student Welfare and Safety

Wayne Cliff, Head of Campus Security and Community Liaison, Nottingham Trent University
Nikki Todd, Community Liaison Manager, Nottingham Trent University

12.30-1.30pm 13 January 2026

This session will explore Nottingham Trent University’s pioneering model for its on and off campus welfare and support. Sharing insights on how they work across departments and partner agencies to support student house of hours to stay safe within the community, support them with dealing with welfare and critical incidents out of house and in partnership to keep students safe within the Night Time Economy

February

Engaging Communities And Neighbours In Your University’s Strategic Plan

Dr. Karen Salt, Professor of Professor of Culture, Place and Communities, Manchester Metropolitan University
Matt Helfrich, UK Branch Manager and Senior Project Manager, LINK Strategic Partners

12.30-1.30pm 11 February 2026

This session will focus on the importance of community planning, consultation, and engagement in a university’s strategic plans, sharing recent case studies for successful community engagement approaches to university strategic plans on both sides of the pond.

March

University partnerships and their implications for town–gown relationships

Dr. Simon Merrywest, Executive Director for the Student Experience, The University of Manchester

12.30-1.30pm 11 March 2026

This session explores the evolving landscape of university partnerships and their impact on town–gown relationships. Focusing on ongoing work around shared services, the webinar will examine how collaborative initiatives between institutions and local communities can reshape governance, resource allocation, and mutual trust. Attendees will gain insights into the practical implications of these partnerships and strategies for fostering sustainable, equitable relationships between campuses and their surrounding towns.

April

How can universities work ethically and collaboratively with local communities to address pressing social and environmental challenges?

Dr Rebecca Brunk, Sustainability Project Officer (Social Impact), University of Leeds

12.30-1.30pm 15 April 2026

In this UKTGA webinar, the University of Leeds will share their approach to community–university partnerships, illustrating how principles of reciprocity, transparency, and shared benefit co-create solutions for sustainability challenges. The session will highlight insights from community partners on the value of developing these partnerships,  and showcase the tangible positive impact in communities these projects have generated.

May

State of the Town & Gown Profession: First Findings from UKTGA’s 2025–26 Study

Amanda Jackson, Sustainability Manager (Social Impact)
Claire Walker, Sustainability Projects Coordinator

12.30-1.30pm 13 May 2026

What does the town–gown profession look like today  and where is it heading? This UKTGA webinar will share the first results from our State of the Profession research, the first study of its kind in the UK and internationally. We’ll discuss emerging patterns in roles, structures, resourcing, and skills, and consider what they mean for the future of town–gown practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment on the findings and help shape the final report.