The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build on their achievements over the last five years.

LJMU and LFC Foundation entered into partnership in 2017 to jointly deliver the Open Goals programme to work with families across Merseyside to increase their levels of physical activity using local parks. The project has provided a wide range of volunteering opportunities for LJMU students and staff.

The partnership has grown to include a variety of other projects, including the joint delivery of community health checks and opportunities for school children to train with LJMU sport scientists.

Through the Memorandum of Understanding, LJMU and LFC Foundation have committed to building on this relationship and aligning future activity with the priorities of LJMU’s Place and Partnership Plan: people and skills, place and community, and knowledge and impact.

LJMU and LFC Foundation will explore the potential for jointly developing activities, such as:

People and Skills: Foundation degree(s), apprenticeships (coaching, business and management), volunteering opportunities, placement opportunities, youth work.

Place and Community: Community use of LFCF and LJMU facilities, community hubs, healthy and safer communities, coaching programme(s).

Knowledge and Impact: Research collaboration in areas of common interest that LFCF and LJMU have highlighted as priorities.

Professor Keith George of LJMU : “I’m delighted that we will be continuing and further developing LJMU’s successful partnership with the LFC Foundation.

“The values of the two organisations are closely aligned, with our emphasis on working with and supporting our communities across the city to help create opportunities and improve people’s lives.

“Our partnership has provided invaluable opportunities for LJMU students to volunteer and develop a wide range of skills, as well as enabling them to undertake research to support their studies. I’m excited by the potential of this next phase of our partnership and look forward to delivering new activities that will have a positive impact on our communities.”

Matt Parish, chief executive, LFC Foundation, added: “It’s fantastic to come together to celebrate the success of our partnership and announce our commitment to expanding it further to provide more young people with new research, employment and volunteering opportunities across the Liverpool City Region.

“We are looking forward to continuing our collaborative work with LJMU, and helping to support the local communities we serve.”