[Transcription]:

I’m Sue and I’m part of the University of Salford.

We know society doesn’t benefit everyone the same and often this is what divides us. Education has such a key role. A space to increase understanding of the mixed experience of others. I passionately believe that by respecting our differences we have a chance to create a fairer society.

Take 5 minutes to research the world around you. Have conversations with people from different backgrounds. It's possible to disagree but learn from each other as well.

Imagine a place that has tolerance and inclusivity at its core. That’s somewhere I’d like to live, work and study.

[Transcription]:

Hi, I'm Phil, part of the University of Salford. It’s hard to visualise what health and wellbeing will be like in the future.

We’ve seen big changes in the last 100 years but none more so than in the last couple of years with the advent of the pandemic, where we have had to better understand and check in with our emotions and our feelings and have more of an awareness of the environment around us.

We have had to learn to be kinder to ourselves and more compassionate both individually and as a wider community.

[Transcription of audio]:

Hello. I’m Linda and I am part of the University of Salford. This park was one of the first public parks to be opened in the UK in 1851.

The park is very much a part of the local community and is used by students, staff and residents. The University takes great pride in the green spaces in and around our campus.

It is important that we take care of our health, especially our mental health, and walks around the park are a great way to do this.

Enjoy your walk today.

[Transcription of audio]:

Hey there, I'm Kate and I'm part of the University of Salford community and would like to tell you about why I support a future of flexible working.

The pandemic has illustrated that the traditional one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work and folks should be given the agency to work in a way that suits them.

Remote working isn't just about wearing PJs all day: it's good for the environment; can positively impact our physical, mental, and financial health; it can allow individuals to be present in the lives of their friends and family. Our work output will benefit if we're comfortable and able to be our whole self at work too.

Technological advances have given us the opportunity to become a global community while increasing the diversity and inclusivity of workplaces by breaking down systemic barriers of traditional working.

After all, work is a thing we do, not a place we go.

[Transcription]:

My name is Emma, and I am part of the University of Salford.

For me, a vital area for society to focus on is inclusivity. I believe people excel when they feel comfortable, when they feel supported and when they feel a part of something that’s bigger than themselves.

We can learn such a lot from looking at the world from other people’s perspective, through sharing ideas and having open and frank discussions.

Salford University has done such a lot of work in this area and I look forward to our work in developing this in the coming years.

[Transcription]:

Hello. My name is Arijit and I’m part of the University of Salford.

In my view, the most important future development is in the area of mental health and kindness. And, by that I not only mean kindness to other humans, but also to all species sharing this planet.

We’re to focus on the fact that we all live in a healthier planet if we all look after each other and humans can play the most important part in that.

[Transcription]:

Hello, my name is Stephen Ling and I work at the University of Salford. I love Peel Park, it’s a green space in the centre of urban sprawl. I love to take my lunch there and reflect on how my day is going.

As one of the first public parks in the country it’s always been a place where the environment is important. A green space where people could take a break from their working day.

In recent years the park has been rejuvenated and regenerated. As we look to the future we need to think about how we preserve and expand our green spaces, and how we create a better environment for all.

[Transcription]:

My name’s Aroob and I’m part of the University of Salford. I think that a lot of monumental changes have taken place over the past 100 years, as you’ve said, and it feels kind of difficult – almost impossible, if you will – to imagine what could happen in the future.

But if I were allowed to choose what specifically is ours to do, I think I would really appreciate us finding a way to end global warming, to truly take care of our planet and to find a way to improve everyone’s quality of life, not just those with money and power.

To imagine a future, I think that we have to prepare for one, and to me, this is the most important way to do so.

Living Library Podcast - Emma Brookes in conversation with Rebecca Coles by University of Salford

The second in our series of podcasts to mark Refugee Week 2021. Sue Clark chats to Salford alumni Mohamed Ali Salah on a range of topics centred around being a refugee, their experiences and also refugee contributions in the UK.