New education centres will 'transform lives' of young people in disadvantaged communities
Two new centres designed to create opportunities for thousands of young people in disadvantaged areas are to be launched, including one in Grimsby.
A partnership between the University of Hull, the University of York and IntoUniversity, the UK’s largest university-access charity, will be significantly growing the scope of its work in Yorkshire and the Humber, by opening the new education bases, in the Neighbourhood Centre in the East Marsh area of Grimsby, as well as at the Key Centre, Christ Church, Bridlington. The new centres will build on the work of the partnership in Hull, where an IntoUniversity centre opened in 2022, with many local young people already benefiting from the support of the centre.
IntoUniversity centres are physical spaces embedded in the heart of the communities they serve, providing a range of services to young people between the ages of seven and 18 facing disadvantage, who are typically under-represented in higher education. Through a range of after-school academic support, workshops, mentoring and other activities, staff at the centres help these young people raise their academic attainment, develop and nurture their talents, build a love of learning and gain knowledge about potential careers and education pathways, all with a view to enabling them to reach their full potential.
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Dr Rachel Carr, chief executive and co-founder of IntoUniversity, said: “We are delighted to be adding to our work in Yorkshire and the Humber in such a significant way, in collaboration with the Universities of Hull and York. The young people in this part of the country have so much to offer, but the impact of disadvantage on some of them makes reaching their full potential an uphill struggle.
“We’re excited to begin work with these young people, as well as building relationships with local schools, community groups, parents and carers. We hope to have a really profound impact on the educational outcomes of young people in Bridlington and Grimsby, building on the already great work that we’ve been doing with the wonderful young people in Hull. We’re thankful to our university partners for making this growth in the region possible.”
The new Grimsby centre is in a parliamentary constituency in which around 37.7 per cent of children live in poverty. Similarly, Bridlington’s centre is within a parliamentary constituency in which around 28.8 per cent of children are living in poverty.
Professor Dave Petley, vice-chancellor of the University of Hull, said: “The development of two new centres is truly great news. I am delighted that we will be able to reach more young people in our region – and to build on the success of the IntoUniversity centre in Hull.
“There are reminders all around us – and across the world – that fairness and equality aren’t guaranteed. At the University of Hull, we are committed to addressing inequalities and firmly believe this work starts at home, in Yorkshire.
“We are committed to inspiring young people into education by encouraging and giving young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the confidence to take a positive step into higher education.”
Professor Charlie Jeffery, University of York vice-chancellor, said: “Our collective fundraising efforts are ongoing and we know these centres will play a key role in driving forward our ambition to reduce gaps in educational attainment for young people across the region and expand access to university. As a university dedicated to public good, we want to form partnerships that empower communities across our region, and, building on the success of our existing centre in Hull, these hubs will identify and nurture the next generation of bright minds in Yorkshire and the Humber.
“This is a unique opportunity to transform lives, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact these centres will have on the countless young people who will benefit from their resources and support." Four full-time members of staff are being recruited to deliver after-school academic support sessions to primary and secondary school children, aspiration-building workshops in partnership with local schools and a mentoring programme with current university students and professionals.
Students will be able to access the centres after school, Monday to Thursday, during term time, and workshops with partner schools will run during the daytime throughout the week. Once established, the centres will each benefit over 1,000 local students a year.