Initiatives and activities
We support our community with a number of initiatives promoting public good, community wellbeing and York’s society, economy and health.
The Place
The Place is an education and community space based in Westfield, York.
It offers study and play activities for children, as well as dedicated time for adults to connect and access support.
With our partners Westfield Primary Community School, York High School, City of York Council and Chapelfields Community Association, the centre team will work directly with local young people to co-create programmes to reduce gaps in educational attainment and support help them achieve their goals.
Institute of Mental Health Research at York
The Institute of Mental Health Research brings together University staff, students, alumni, donors and affiliates, who have mental health as a common ground in their work, with external partners working at the forefront of mental health in fields such as the NHS and social care, education, justice, business, charities and voluntary organisations.
The experiences and insights of service users, frontline professionals, policy makers, our community and the public inspire what we do and are at the heart of our work.
Enterprise Works
Enterprise Works brings together regional businesses, entrepreneurs, students and researchers to nurture enterprising talent and help small businesses to grow.
Based in York’s renovated Guildhall, it's a business hub that drives social change by encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity.
It provides facilities and expertise to support entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and communities, underpinned by the University’s research expertise and existing business support services.
StreetLife
StreetLife explored new ways to revitalise and diversify York’s Coney Street, drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history and vibrant creative communities.
In 2023, the StreetLife Hub on Coney Street provided incubator space for the StreetLife legacy projects:
- The Common Room, putting the local community at the heart of regeneration projects
- York Centre for Print, securing the future of traditional print techniques and celebrating York’s history of print and design
- Jewish Neighbourhoods, dispelling myths and challenging preconceptions of York’s medieval Jewish community
- York's Historic Music Venues and Willow Community Archive Project, reconnecting and recording communities that have built up around music venues.
York Festival of Ideas
Stimulating and diverse events with world-class speakers, exhibitions, theatre, music, films, guided walks and family activities: York Festival of Ideas offers something for all ages and interests.
Through the Festival we demonstrate the major contribution of education to the economic, social and cultural development of York and Yorkshire.
Growing year on year, the Festival attracts almost 40,000 people to events across the city and online, and works in partnership with more than 100 local and national organisations.
