Coram and University College London (UCL) have today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), setting out details of how the two institutions plan to work together to deliver and promote research, policy and social impact that improves the life chances of children and young people.
The MOU is intended to:
- Generate and support research, educational and engagement activities to the benefit of children and young people as supported by Coram;
- Signal a willingness to collaborate between Coram and UCL, across a range of activities, in ways which bring benefits to both organisations;
- Recognise the responsibilities and needs of both organisations and their shared approach to the management of such a programme of collaboration;
- Promote joint working, events and strengthened links between Coram and in particular its Institute for Children, with the UCL London Office, the UCL Pro-Provost for Policy Engagement and the Thomas Coram Research Unit, part of UCL’s Social Research Institute;
- Utilise the convening power of both institutions to promote positive impact for young people.
The parties will create a working group to oversee the activities under this MOU and identify specific topics where it would be useful to work together, convening every six weeks or as agreed to maintain momentum of the collaboration, and to monitor progress of the collaboration.
The MOU was signed on the day of the annual TCRU /Coram lecture, Supporting the lives and aspirations of children and young people migrating to the UK alone, led by UCL’s Professor Elaine Chase and featuring contributions from young people supported by Coram. Coram and UCL’s Thomas Coram Research Unit hold an annual event to consider current themes in research relevant to children and families.
Dr Carol Homden, Coram CEO, said: “As the country’s first and longest serving children’s charity, we are keen to partner with organisations who lead their fields, who care about children and young people, and are in a position to make a positive difference to their lives. This MOU between Coram and UCL, one of the world’s leading universities, represents a fantastic opportunity to deliver on our mission to deliver better chances for children, and it comes at an opportune moment as we establish the Coram Institute for Children, the UK’s first centre dedicated to improving the life chances of children by informing and influencing policy and practice.”
UCL will lead the MOU through its London Office, under the leadership of Professor Alan Thompson, its first Pro-Provost for London. Professor Thompson said: “We are delighted to be signing this Memorandum of Understanding with Coram, a charity based in our own borough of Camden, whose impressive history and values resonates with UCL’s commitment to improving the lives of children and young people. This partnership marks the beginning of a meaningful collaboration, and we look forward to working together to drive impactful research, policy, and practice that supports and advocates for young people and their families.”
About UCL – London’s Global University
UCL is a diverse global community of world-class academics, students, industry links, external partners, and alumni. Our powerful collective of individuals and institutions work together to explore new possibilities.
Since 1826, we have championed independent thought by attracting and nurturing the world’s best minds. Our community of more than 50,000 students from 150 countries and over 16,000 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems.
The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024, we are consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and are one of only a handful of institutions rated as having the strongest academic reputation and the broadest research impact.
We have a progressive and integrated approach to our teaching and research – championing innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working. We teach our students how to think, not what to think, and see them as partners, collaborators and contributors.
For almost 200 years, we are proud to have opened higher education to students from a wide range of backgrounds and to change the way we create and share knowledge.
We were the first in England to welcome women to university education and that courageous attitude and disruptive spirit is still alive today. We are UCL.
www.ucl.ac.uk | Read news at www.ucl.ac.uk/news/ | Follow UCL News on Bluesky and LinkedIn
About Coram
Coram is the first and longest serving children’s charity in the UK. Established as the Foundling Hospital in 1739, today we are a vibrant charity group of specialist organisations – the Coram Group – supporting hundreds of thousands of children, young people and families every year.
We do this by championing children’s rights and wellbeing and making their lives better every day through our range of services. These include reading support and life skills education in schools for 300,000 children, adoption services for children waiting to find a home, mental health support, cultural programmes, and legal advice and advocacy for thousands of children and families every year.
All of our work delivers across seven key outcomes for children and young people: A fair chance, A loving home, A voice that’s heard, A chance to shine, Skills for the future, No matter where and A society that cares.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.coram.org.uk
X: @Coram
Facebook: Coramsince1739
Instagram: coram.uk