For immediate release: 23 July 2008

JRF honoured as "a great force for good" by special award

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has this week received the Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) Corporate Award for its work in investigating the causes of social problems, demonstrating possible solutions, and influencing social change.

The University’s Orator, Professor Frank Sanderson, said: “The JRF is a great force for good in our society. For over 100 years, it has made and continues to make an outstanding contribution to searching out the causes of social problems, demonstrating solutions to these problems and exerting a positive and enlightened influence on social policy and change. It has pioneered many developments which have particularly benefited disadvantaged individuals and groups, always emphasising the interconnectedness of poverty, empowerment and place.”

JRF Director Julia Unwin said: “We are very honoured to receive this award from LJMU and are proud to be associated with an institution that shares our belief in the power of education to provide success routes for socially disadvantaged groups and individuals.”

JRF Chair Debby Ounsted, who received the award, said that studies by the two institutions complemented each other well: “For example LJMU’s research on credit unions and work around the housing market and social exclusion echoes our own research and potentially provides vital answers to problems exacerbated by the current ‘credit crunch’.”

The Corporate Award is presented annually to a group in recognition of significant work around social issues. Previous winners include the Prince’s Trust, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and The Liverpool Pilots. The award was presented as part of the graduation ceremony for students at LJMU. Accepting the award alongside Debby Ounstead, was Susan Hartshorne, another JRF trustee.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is one of the largest social policy research and development charities in the UK. It supports a research and development programme that seeks to understand the causes of social difficulties and explore ways of overcoming them. www.jrf.org.uk
2. The image above is supplied courtesy of Liverpool John Moores University.
   

Issued by Dan Harrison, JRF Temporary Media Relations Manager:
01904 615 958 / 020 7278 9665 press.temp@jrf.org.uk