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NTU’s Professional Student Wardrobe saves over 3,000kg of clothing from landfill in its first year

April 17, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has celebrated the success of the first year of its Professional Student Wardrobe with a student-run fashion catwalk show.

Winners of the NTU Professional Student Wardrobe anniversary catwalk event

Just 12 months ago, NTU partnered with local sustainable charity White Rose to launch a Student Wardrobe – offering students free access to professional clothing for interviews, assessment days and recruitment activities in addition to employability support, including coaching, interview preparation and skills development.

Since then, the Professional Student Wardrobe has:

  • Diverted 3,023kg of clothing from landfill
  • Saved 11,711.52kg of CO₂ emissions
  • Distributed 2,850 items of clothing to students
  • Supported 1,587 students, saving them approximately £34,000 collectively

To celebrate the inaugural year of the Professional Student Wardrobe, a catwalk show – run by students – took place with live music, creative visuals and models showcasing outfits. The event was attended by student users, NTU colleagues, local employers and community partners.

Debra Easter, Director of Employability Services at Nottingham Trent University said: “We’re really proud of our Professional Student Wardrobe initiative, which has helped support students with rising financial pressures at the same time as meeting net-zero commitments.

“In the last year, we’ve given hundreds of students access to professional clothing, used to further opportunities through training and skills development, as well as leading to employment. Not only that, it has delivered major sustainability impact by saving clothing from landfill and CO₂ emissions.

“We’re excited about what comes next – more collaborations and plans to help even more students, this is a fantastic initiative that is just at the beginning of its journey.”

Donation boxes are present on all NTU campuses for anyone to donate pre-loved items in good condition. In addition, there are a number of partnerships in place with local employers who also collect donations as well as partnerships with local organisations who receive surplus clothing, such as the Nottingham Women’s Centre.

Nottingham based charity White Rose collects the donations and prepares them to be displayed in the Wardrobe Shop based on NTU’s City campus. Any surplus stock is retained by White Rose for resale or recycling.

The Student Wardrobe is not just for students’ use, it is also run by students – over 100 have been employed over the past year – providing them additional valuable employment skills and experience. Roles include co-ordinating donations, social media and running the day-to-day operations. Student projects with Nottingham School of Art & Design and Nottingham Business School has also led to additional ideas for development as well as plans for marketing.

Events throughout the year have also seen a pop-up on NTU’s Brackenhurst campus, supporting around 150 students with workwear including PPE relevant for agricultural/rural courses.

Cosi Standeven, Professional Student Wardrobe Coordinator (Placement) said: “The Professional Student Wardrobe started as a vision, one that aimed to break down barriers to professional dress and make sure that every NTU student has the confidence to step into their future, looking and feeling their best. And now, one year later, we stand here, not just with a wardrobe full of clothes, but with a community full of support, opportunity, and transformation.

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Wardrobe, from our student employability workers and volunteers to our incredible employer partners, donors, and, of course, the NTU community. Your belief in this project has been the reason for its success.

“Here’s to another year of styling, empowering, and growing.”

Nurturing mothers help monkeys recognise key facial expressions

April 10, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Baby monkeys who receive more care from their mothers develop stronger facial expression recognition skills as they grow, which could help them to navigate vital social groups more effectively.

The study by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) involved 83 rhesus macaques from 15 different social groups. Babies were observed with their mothers during their first 14 weeks of life to measure behaviours such as grooming, cradling, and mother approaching the infant

Once the macaques were at least one year old, researchers observed how they responded to images of primate faces displaying different facial expressions, such as threatening faces or submissive bared-teeth expressions.

When shown images with increasing levels of threat, their attention grew as the intensity of the threat increased, showing they were sensitive to the subtle differences in the facial expressions.

Lastly, the research tested their reaction to an unexpected change in facial expressions. The macaques were shown a sequence of five identical facial expressions, followed by one which was unexpectedly different. They spent significantly more time looking at the final, different face, suggesting they recognised the change.

Findings showed that the macaques who experienced higher quality maternal care – more grooming and cradling – during infancy were better at processing the facial expressions.

Researchers also found that facial expression processing skills improved with age until around four years old, suggesting that facial expression processing is not purely instinctive and fixed, but that experience and environmental influences play a role, much like in humans.

Olivia O’Callaghan, PhD researcher at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “Most primates are highly social animals that depend on social relationships to thrive. Having strong social connections within their group can have a positive effect on primates’ health and survival, as it could have benefits such as increased mating opportunities, access to food and protection from threats.

“The ability to interpret facial expressions is believed to help primates navigate complex social systems and hierarchies and could help them to predict future actions of group members.”

Project lead, Professor Bridget Waller, said: “Facial expression has evolved as a key method of communication in primates, including humans, and these findings show how these skills rely on social experience to develop properly.”

The work is part of a European Research Council funded project led by NTU’s Professor Bridget Waller. Individual differences in facial expressivity: Social function, facial anatomy and evolutionary origin(FACEDIFF) is an interdisciplinary project investigating the evolution of facial expression and how this results in benefits or costs in an individual’s social engagement.

Maternal care predicts facial expression processing in macaques by Olivia O’Callaghan, Dr Jamie Whitehouse, Associate Professor Annika Paukner, Dr Claire Witham (Centre for Macaques), and Professor Bridget Waller has been published in the journal iScience.

Cardiff Met Celebrates 20 Years of Volunteer Zambia Impact

April 10, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

This summer marks a major milestone for Volunteer Zambia – a pioneering international sport initiative that has empowered over 160,000 young people across Zambia and the UK since its launch in 2005. Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to celebrate 20 years of involvement in the programme, which continues to inspire change through the power of sport.

Volunteer Zambia was established in 2005 as the flagship initiative of the Wallace Group – a collaboration between leading UK sport universities. Now in its 20th year, it brings together British universities committed to sustainable international development. Its members include Cardiff Met, Durham University, Loughborough University, Northumbria University, University of St Andrews, University of Stirling, University of Edinburgh, and University of Bath.

Conceived as a partnership with Zambia’s leading sports non-governmental organisation, Sport in Action, Volunteer Zambia enhances the quality of life for Zambian youth through sport and recreational activities. Over the past two decades, Cardiff Met volunteers have supported the initiative to evolve into a multifaceted programme focusing on increasing participation, education and leadership opportunities within deprived Zambian communities.

Students and staff who participate engage in various roles, including coaching, teaching, sports development, marketing, media and event management. Their collective efforts have reached over 160,000 children and supported multiple sporting organisations across Zambia.

The programme’s impact is exemplified by the development of community sport hub sites, which have significantly expanded access to sports for young people, particularly girls. These hubs have facilitated the training of numerous local leaders and coaches, fostering a sustainable and empowering environment for youth development.

The Cardiff Met ‘ZamFam’ reunite at Durham Castle

In celebration of its 20th year, volunteers past and present – affectionately known as the ‘Zamfam’ – met at UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham Castle on 5 April to mark two decades of achievements.

Speaking at the event, Ben O’Connell, Director of Sport at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Chair of the Wallace Group, said:​ “Having been fortunate enough to visit Zambia in 2023, I left feeling inspired and committed to doing more to help support the great work and continue to develop life-changing experiences for our students.

“As Volunteer Zambia commemorates two decades of dedication and achievement, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of international collaboration and the unifying spirit of sport in driving positive change.”

Cardiff Met Sport’s Digital Media and Marketing Officer, Rhys Russell, accompanied five students to Zambia last summer. He recalls the impact the experience had on him: “The project is about so much more than sport. It’s about empowering young people, especially girls, fostering leadership, and creating opportunities that inspire long-lasting change. I’ve seen how the local coaches grow in confidence as they step into leadership roles, and how the children light up with excitement and joy as they engage with sport in a safe and supportive environment.”

Light beam will ‘grasp and hold’ single proteins linked to Alzheimer’s to reveal new insight into disease

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

High concentrations of light will be used to study the fast structural changes in single proteins linked to Alzheimer’s through the different disease stages in a first of its kind study.

Dr Cuifeng Ying, who is part of the Advanced Optics and Photonics group at Nottingham Trent University

It is hoped the research, led by Nottingham Trent University, will provide fresh insight into the emergence and progression of neurodegenerative disease, which is known to begin up to 20 years before symptoms appear.

Understanding these processes could pave the way for early-stage diagnosis and therapies for age-associated degenerative diseases, the researchers believe.

The work is being made possible through funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences and will be led by Dr Cuifeng Ying, who is part of the Advanced Optics and Photonics (AOP) group in the university’s School of Science and Technology.

Neurodegenerative disease begins when abnormal proteins begin to form in the brain – and early-stage diagnosis and potential therapies require the detection of these single malformed proteins from a large protein population.

Current technologies, however, are unable to monitor the motions and behaviour of these proteins in solution without modifying them, which it is argued could hamper our understanding of their function.

The work will involve building on a new technique developed by Dr Ying which makes it possible to isolate and study how single proteins behave and change over time in their natural environment and while they are still functional.

The individual proteins can be studied in their natural liquid environment, as the team’s technique can mimic the body by altering factors such as salt concentration, pH, or oxygen levels.

A very high concentration of light, with a beam transmitted through a specifically engineered nanostructure, can generate the right amount of force to grasp and hold a single protein – ten thousand times thinner than a strand of hair – within a fluid, without damaging it.

The technology is able to detect how the light is scatted and the researchers can analyse this unique data to reveal how the protein is behaving in real-time.

The researchers will characterise proteins extracted from fruit flies – which share a large percentage of genes with humans – at different disease stages.

The team will also investigate the responses in the proteins when exposed to different drugs.

Dementia, one of the primary symptoms of late-stage Alzheimer’s disease affects almost 1 million people in the UK and currently costs almost £35bn a year. This cost is projected to increase due to the increasing average age of the population.

“Innovative approaches are urgently needed to understand the triggers of these diseases, enabling earlier disease detection and treatment,” said Dr Ying.

She said: “Previously we’d have had to study many proteins together to see how the group of proteins responds, but through our work we are now able to monitor the behaviour of a single living protein.

“We know that neurodegenerative diseases can start many years before any symptoms appear, as these abnormal proteins aggregate in the brain.

“We hope that knowledge gleaned from our study could drive the development of early diagnosis and therapies for several age-related degenerative diseases, potentially reducing the number of people affected as well as associated healthcare costs.”

The work is being made possible through funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences’ Springboard programme, in partnership with the Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Wellcome and the British Heart Foundation.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas.

“Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”

Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public. The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”

Scientists detect and analyse flight sound of invasive Asian hornet in move to protect honeybee colonies

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Scientists have been able to remotely detect, capture and analyse the sound of the invasive Asian hornet in flight, in a move which could help save honeybee colonies from distress and destruction.

Asian hornets are an invasive species which has been spreading across Europe since 2004

The Nottingham Trent University team  are the first to characterise and differentiate Asian hornet from honeybee hovering flight sounds, using microphones and machine learning techniques capable of automatically identifying the predator as soon as it arrives at an apiary.

As part of their study the researchers, in close collaboration with scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal and Ghent University in Belgium, were able to detect hornet presence when there was just one individual in the vicinity of a hive.

Asian hornets are an invasive species which has been spreading across Europe since 2004 and was first sighted in the UK in 2016.

Honeybees are one of the main food sources of the Asian hornet, which capture and eat bees moving in and out of the hive on foraging trips.

The hornets seriously impact colonies as the bees become so stressed by their presence around the hive that they reduce, or in some cases completely stop their foraging activities.

Because the bees are too terrified to leave to collect resources, they enter the winter period with smaller food stores, which puts the survival of the colony at risk.

Unlike Asian honeybees, European honeybees have not co-evolved with the hornets and so they lack practice or experience in defending themselves against the threat.

As part of the pilot study the researchers were able to reveal repeating features in the flight sounds – or wingbeat frequencies – of Asian hornets and honeybees specifically linked to their hovering.  

They also found that the hornet reliably produced these features as they tend to hover continuously, while honeybee hovering is much shorter in duration as they are mostly coming in and out of the hive with little or no hovering at all.

Using an inexpensive microphone, paired with the team’s algorithm, the team was able to detect the presence of Asian hornets at an apiary at the University of Coimbra in Portugal with almost 100% accuracy over three seasons.

They are now working towards a follow-up study using longer-term data to further develop their method.

The researchers argue their system could be left in apiaries long-term to continuously distinguish between Asian hornet and honeybee flight sounds.

This could allow beekeepers to be immediately alerted to hornet presence, even just one individual, via their smartphone and enable them to quickly enforce hornet control methods before too much distress is caused to colonies.

Currently, Asian hornet monitoring is costly and time-consuming. They are identified and controlled using ‘in-person’ techniques such as citizen science schemes and nest detection methods, which involves people walking around on foot and using thermal cameras to spot nests in trees for future destruction.

“Invasive species such as the Asian hornet are a serious threat to biodiversity,” said lead researcher Dr Harriet Hall.

She said: “Our native honeybee hasn’t evolved alongside this predator and because of this its defences against the hornet are low. Identifying Asian hornet presence at apiaries early on would be highly beneficial for beekeepers who could then take immediate action.

“We have been able to discriminate between Asian hornet and honeybee sound data and this provides excellent potential for use as a remote alert system for hornets, where beekeepers could be immediately alerted that hornets have arrived.”

Dr Martin Bencsik, a physicist at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Asian hornets are a significant threat to European honeybees and we need to find new ways to identify their presence quickly. In spite of overlapping features of the sound spectra of honeybees and hornets, it is amazing to see that their hovering sound features are very different, and it is fortunate, for this detection technique, that hornets hover around hives far more than bees do.”

In 2023 the Nottingham team revealed how a tiny parasitic honeybee mite had a distinctive walk – and that by listening for the unique vibration caused by its stride pattern it could help them spot if it is infesting a hive.

The latest study is published in the journal Computers and Electronics in Agriculture.

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme as part of the Giving Beekeeping Guidance by cOmputatiOnal-assisted Decision making (B-GOOD) consortium under grant agreement No. 817622.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership to elevate smart medical textiles

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Trelleborg, a global leader in engineered coated fabrics, has announced an exciting new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Medical Technologies Innovation Facility.

NTU’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility

This collaboration, part-funded by Innovate UK, aims to expand Trelleborg’s capabilities in smart fabrics for healthcare applications through cutting-edge innovation and research-driven solutions.

The partnership will propel the development of a smart mattress system designed to enhance patient care and reduce medical interventions, further cementing Trelleborg’s position as a leader in advanced medical textiles.

Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility accelerates the research, development and delivery of innovative medical technologies and services for organizations across the breadth of medical and health sectors, by widening access to world-class facilities, equipment and expertise.

NTU’s Dr. Yang Wei, an expert in smart medical textiles, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Trelleborg on this project. The development of smart fabrics will significantly impact the healthcare industry, and our shared vision aims to provide innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges. This KTP demonstrates the power of combining academic research with industry expertise to create tangible advancements.”

Antony Croston, Commercial Director Healthcare & Medical for Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, “This KTP is an important milestone in transforming the future of healthcare textiles. By combining NTU’s research expertise with our local capabilities in engineered coated fabrics, we aim to pioneer innovations that improve patient well-being while driving global change in medical textiles.”

Why Smart Fabrics Matter in Healthcare

Smart fabrics represent a modernization in healthcare textiles, playing a critical role in improving patient outcomes. From preventing pressure injuries with advanced sensing technology to enabling data visualization for better decision-making, these textiles offer unparalleled opportunities to transform treatment quality and healthcare efficiency worldwide.

Trelleborg’s experience in engineered healthcare fabrics through its global coated fabric brand Dartex®, will be complemented by NTU’s deep expertise in electronics and software engineering. Together, they will focus on creating innovative sensing systems, seamless technology integration and scalable solutions suitable for global healthcare markets.

For Trelleborg, partnerships with universities like Nottingham Trent University are pivotal to driving global innovation. By nurturing collaborative initiatives, Trelleborg strengthens its ability to address global healthcare challenges through localized efforts that foster research integrity and an inclusive approach to innovation.

The KTP, a national initiative funded by Innovate UK, a national innovation agency dedicated to supporting business-led innovation across all sectors, technologies, and regions of the UK, bridges the gap between academia and industry, enabling companies like Trelleborg to tap into academic expertise to solve strategic challenges. This 26–month project will explore the development of sensing technology, interface systems and data visualization, creating products that redefine comfort and care in medical contexts.

NTU holds successful Science and Tech Careers Day for 300 schoolchildren at Sherwood Observatory

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

A successful career aspirations event was held at Sherwood Observatory last week (24th March) to demonstrate the wide range of science and technology career opportunities available for local secondary school students aged 14-18 from Ashfield.

(L-R) Jon Wright (NTU) , John Bennet (Ashfield District Council), Michelle Taylor (Ideas4Careers), Councillor Matt Relf (Ashfield District Council)

Run by Ideas4Careers in partnership with NTU, with the theme ‘Reach for the Stars’, the event saw over 25 local science and technology exhibitors gather for the day, from the RAF Youth STEM team, Hucknall Air Museum and local businesses including ITP Aero, Glenair, Dassault Systemes, Environment Agency, GXO, Connect Fibre, Flannery, ATTFE, Mesh Training and further and higher education partners from the sector including robotics from West Notts College.

In addition, the attending schools took part in a series of planetarium shows and hands-on activities throughout the day from various science and technology providers.

The successful event was part of the Aspiring Careers Ashfield project led by Ideas4Careers, funded by Ashfield District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and supported by NTU’s School of Science & Technology. The event also received a donation from the RAF for equipment for the Observatory. It is hoped that the event will become a main stay in the academic calendar in the future.

Jon Wright, Undergraduate Course Leader for Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University, and also Outreach Co-ordinator for the School of Science & Technology said: “We have been overwhelmed at the response we’ve had to this event, both from the schools attending and the exhibitors. It’s really shown that there is an appetite for careers in STEM in the local area, and we hope we’ve been able to give some young people real options for the future.”

Michelle Taylor, Managing Director, Ideas4Careers said: “The event was a resounding success, providing students with engaging interactions that sparked their interest in STEM. We are excited about the positive impact it has had on the students’ interest in science and technology careers as well as broadening their knowledge of related industries here in Ashfield. Exhibitors from various industries were thrilled to share valuable insights into career paths and practical applications of STEM skills, while also highlighting the importance of these roles in today’s world. This  was education/business collaboration at its best. We hope the success of this event will lead to future events.”

Cllr Arnie Hankin, Chairman of Ashfield District Council said: “This event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exciting career paths available for students in science and technology. It was great to be able to hold it at the newly opened Sherwood Observatory which provided a fitting backdrop to the event. By connecting students with industry professionals, we are helping to build a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce that will benefit the future of Ashfield.”

Feedback from the day included:

“Great planetarium experience and lots of great career advice and pathways available”

“I liked looking at the fingerprints and discovering which one was mine”

“Lots of opportunities to learn and see new technology”

“My most enjoyed activity was the VR car”

“I liked the 3D in person gravity sketch, could see myself working in 3D modelling”

Gender-affirming care key to transgender men’s health and happiness

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Body image and quality of life among transgender men could be improved with more gender-focused care, according to research by Nottingham Trent University in the UK and Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The study questioned 166 trans men on aspects of gender congruence – the feeling of harmony between a person’s gender identity (how they see themselves) and their physical appearance or how others perceive them; and body satisfaction.

In a unique approach, it also measured quality of life across four areas; physiological; psychological; social; and environmental.

Findings showed that when trans men feel that their gender identity matches their appearance, they are happier with their bodies and overall wellbeing.

In relation to quality of life, feeling good about their gender was seen to help trans men with their physical health, mental health, and feeling safe in their environment.

However, gender congruence was not seen to impact on their social lives, possibly reflecting the unique shared-experience bonds formed among this community.

Dr Liam Cahill, lead researcher and senior lecturer in LGBTQ+ Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “While research already shows a link between gender congruence and body satisfaction, their intersection with quality of life for trans men has so far been neglected. Understanding this complex relationship is critical to developing the right support for trans men.”

The study also examined how gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy and chest surgery, affects quality of life, gender congruence, and body satisfaction. Both types of care significantly improved gender congruence and indirectly boosted body satisfaction. Chest surgery was linked to better physical, mental, and environmental quality of life, while hormone therapy improved mental and environmental quality of life.

Dr Cahill added: “Gender-affirming care might not change how people see their bodies directly. Instead, it helps their physical appearance match their gender identity, which is crucial for feeling satisfied with their bodies. These findings highlight the need for accessible gender-focused care that supports both gender congruence and body satisfaction, helping to improve the overall well-being of trans men.”

Understanding the Role of Gender Congruence and Affirming Care in Trans Men’s Body Image and Quality of Life by Dr Liam Cahill, Chase Staras, Dr Treshi-Marie Perera, Dr Beth Jones, and Professor Daragh McDermott is available to read via the International Journal of Transgender Health.

NTU Mansfield launches BA Hons Social Work degree financially supported by Nottinghamshire County Council

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

Hosted at the NTU Mansfield Hub on the West Notts College campus, commencing in September 2025

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in Mansfield is launching a new BA (Hons) Social Work degree commencing study in September 2025.

The three year full-time undergraduate degree will allow students to study on-site at NTU’s Mansfield Hub for the first time – previously only available on NTU’s City campus.

Students will be able to learn all the theory and practical skills needed for a career as a social worker, delivered by experts with over 170 years’ professional experience in the sector.

The course will give students the opportunity to develop new perspectives and challenge ideas from a wide range of sources including employers and local social work partners, and on graduation, will have a deep understanding of current practice.

Topics covered include the impact of digital tools in social work, from online assessments to communicating with service users through text and WhatsApp, how to understand human behaviour, responses to trauma and loss, and views on family and society.

Learning will comprise of a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops together with using some of the latest technology available to re-create real-world scenarios and case studies. However, study isn’t limited to the classroom, as there is a guaranteed 170 days of practice placements included as standard in years two and three.

There is also the potential for 10 students to be sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) for the duration of the course – with a bursary to pay course fees each year for three years and £2,000 per year contribution towards living expenses.

As part of the sponsorship, for these 10 students, Nottinghamshire County Council will guarantee two practice education placements in the Children and Families Department or Adult Social Care and Health Department. Upon graduation, employment opportunities will be offered with Nottinghamshire County Council in Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw.

To be eligible for sponsorship, prospective students must:

  • Live in Nottinghamshire, or
  • Be a Nottinghamshire County Council employee, and
  • Agree to work for Nottinghamshire County Council as a social worker for three years after successfully completing the course

Nottinghamshire County Council will select successful recipients from the pool of eligible applicants.

Simon Cauvain, Head of Social Work, Care and Community at Nottingham Trent University said: “This course is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw communities, where there is a need for qualified social workers. Social work is a challenging career, but hugely rewarding, and this course will give students the best preparation possible to become a professional social worker and be able to tackle big issues to help individuals and families in the local community.”

“Our social work degree isn’t just a course, it’s a chance to reflect on your own ideas and challenge yourself, and make you more resilient, determined and give you the passion to work in the sector. You’ll join the social work family, develop new connections and benefit from our years of experience and links in the industry.”

Colin Pettigrew, Executive Director for Children, Families and Cultural Services at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Nottinghamshire County Council is delighted to both be part of the partnership with NTU and West Notts College and to co-design this innovative programme. It is important that Social Workers and other public servants: teachers, nurses, police officers are representative of the communities that they serve and this degree will give people living in and around Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw not only the chance to study at degree level but also give them every opportunity to secure a professional qualification and a career at the end of it. Making a difference to local children, families and vulnerable adults.”

Andrew Cropley MBE, Principal and Chief Executive at West Nottinghamshire College said: “I am delighted that we have played a small part in creating another great opportunity for local people to access rewarding, well-paid and skilled careers, whilst meeting a very important skills need. I hope that our Access to Higher Education programme might provide a first step for some into these courses.”

Access to justice in crisis: regulators must step up now

April 7, 2025 by DTHomes in NEWS | Leave a comment

A groundbreaking report, ‘Regulatory Leadership on Access to Justice’, commissioned by the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) in collaboration with the Legal Services Board (LSB), has issued an urgent call to action for legal services regulators to tackle the growing crisis of unmet legal needs in England and Wales.

Conducted by Nottingham Law School, part of Nottingham Trent University, the report highlights the critical role regulators must play in ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for the most vulnerable in society.

According to LSB’s own research[1] in England and Wales, 3.6 million adults have an unmet legal need involving a dispute. And nearly nine in ten say ‘the law is a game in which the skilful and resourceful are more likely to get what they want’.

Resolving legal issues can lead to significant improvements in health, income, housing, and employment, yet too many individuals are experiencing dwindling and no access at all. The report draws on innovative approaches from regulators in jurisdictions like Canada and Australia, demonstrating that whilst government funding is critical to access to justice — it is also about regulatory creativity, collaboration, and removing barriers. It calls on regulators in England and Wales to take inspiration from abroad and act decisively.

Key Recommendations:  
The report identifies several systemic barriers to access to justice, including the closure of legal advice centres, legal aid deserts, and a lack of public awareness about legal rights. It calls on the LSB and frontline regulators to take a proactive leadership role in addressing these challenges. There are a number of key recommendations, including:

  • Revising Codes of Conduct: Frontline regulators, with strategic direction from the LSB, should revise codes of conduct to place greater emphasis on access to justice, the rule of law, and equality before the law.
  • Innovation Sandboxes: The LSB should explore the creation of an access to justice innovation sandbox to test and trial new solutions.
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration: The LSB should lead efforts to foster collaboration across sectors, including government, charities, and other regulators, to address systemic causes of injustice.
  • Public Legal Education (PLE): Regulators should support tailored and strategic PLE initiatives to empower individuals with knowledge of their legal rights and duties.
  • Regulation of Paralegals: The LSB should investigate mandatory regulation of paralegals to expand the pool of trusted intermediaries who can assist the public in navigating legal processes.
  • Holistic, People-Centred Services: Regulators should promote integrated legal services that address barriers to access, particularly for disadvantaged groups

Dr Liz Curran, Associate Professor, Nottingham Law School:
“Ensuring access to justice is essential for tackling inequality. For too long, efforts have been limited to superficial fixes, failing to address a deep-rooted issue that disproportionately affects the poorest and most disadvantaged.

“Maintaining the status quo is not an option, as both statistical and qualitative data highlight the real harm caused by inaction. A creative, problem-solving, and evidence-based approach is crucial.

“This research report demonstrates what can be achieved and how. It showcases successful examples of intentional regulatory action in other jurisdictions that have improved access to justice. It offers a wealth of ideas for action at multiple levels and in various ways. Under the leadership of the oversight regulator, the LSB, all regulators have a role to play, and collaboration across sectors is key to driving progress.”

Tom Hayhoe, Chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel:
“Access to justice is a fundamental right, yet too many do not have access to the information, advice, and help they need. This report is firmly focused on what regulators can do, because they have a statutory obligation to act—and we are convinced they have levers yet to be utilised to advance this mission. We are asking all regulators, including the LSB, to step up and act now. We need bold, coordinated action to improve the status quo.”

Catherine Brown, Interim Chair of the Legal Services Board:
“One of the most pressing challenges facing the legal sector is unmet legal need. Too many people in England and Wales do not get the help they need when faced with a legal problem, particularly if they are on a low income or in a vulnerable situation. This report makes detailed recommendations to us and the frontline regulators, which we will carefully consider in relation to our statutory duties, the broader regulatory framework and the interests of the public.”

The full Regulatory Leadership on Access to Justice report can be found here.

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