Bright future for Cumbrian students with new outreach programme launch
Date of issue: 10 February 2020
Press Release
Bright future for Cumbrian students with new outreach programme launch
Students from across Cumbria are exploring future options thanks to impartial support and activities from a higher education and skills partnership led by University of Cumbria.
The Cumbria Collaborative Outreach Programme is the partnership of universities, further education and skills providers across the North West region led by the University of Cumbria. It has been working together to build a network and deliver impartial advice, guidance and activities to 33 schools and colleges in Cumbria through the Hello Future targeted outreach programme.
The Cumbrian programme is part of the national Uni Connect Programme which was officially launched at an event in the House of Commons recently by the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP.
Cumbrian students Ellis Dineley, from Energy Coast UTC at Lillyhall and Sam Spencer and Keaton Lee Tinnion, both from St Benedicts Catholic High School in Whitehaven, attended the event with members of the Hello Future team to represent the county’s student voice and share their experiences of the Hello Future programme.
Reflecting on his experiences with Hello Future, Ellis said: “The assemblies in school have been very helpful for helping me make my decision.”
Ellis is one of over 8,000 Cumbrian students that Hello Future has supported since January 2017, through over 700 activities. This has included workshops, mentoring and presentations within schools and colleges, as well as campus visits, residential activities and community based projects. All have been created to support the bespoke needs of Cumbrian students, teachers and their parents and carers.
For Ellis and Sam, this was their first visit to the capital city and one example of many projects and opportunities that Hello Future has been able to support, enabling Cumbrian students to travel and explore different locations and activities around the UK.
During the evening the three students spent time with Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, and Simon Fell MP, for Barrow and Furness, discussing their journeys through higher education.
Ellis is currently applying to do a degree apprenticeship to study mechanical or electrical engineering. Sam has applied to study at Lancaster University and Keaton is hoping to attend Durham University to study History.
Speaking after the event, Keaton said: “Meeting the Minister and the MP’s gave me an insight into how they have gotten to their positions and how university education will pay off one day.”
Lisa Jackson, programme manager for the Cumbria Collaborative Outreach Programme, who accompanied the students to London, said: “The bespoke approach of our partnership support’s talented young people across Cumbria, showing them how they can fulfil their potential and what they can achieve.”
Reflecting on the launch event in London, Lisa said: “It was wonderful to take the students to London to experience the launch event and visit some of the sights. We know that such opportunities can help influence and shape the futures of these young people, broadening their horizons and demonstrating how they can progress and follow their passions and dreams.”
The Cumbria Collaborative Outreach Programme partnership is led by the University of Cumbria, together with Carlisle College, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria LEP, Edge Hill University, Furness College, Kendal College, Lakes College, Lancaster University, Lancaster & Morecambe College, Myerscough College, Newton Rigg College, NHS Better Care Together, University of Central Lancashire and the React Foundation.
ENDS
Picture: (left-right) Workington MP Mark Jenkinson; Ellis Dineley, Energy Coast UTC; Keaton Tinnion and Sam Spence from St Benedicts Catholic High School, Whitehaven; and Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, at the OfS Uni Connect event at the House of Commons, London (taken 29 January 2020)
Notes
- For further information contact a member of the university’s communications team.
- Hello Future is one of the local hubs around the country that make up the Uni Connect Programme funded by the Office for Students. The Office for Students is the independent regulator for higher education in England. Their aim is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Across England, the local hubs help 1,613 schools and colleges to deliver impartial advice and activities to over 180,000 students and their parents and carers.
- Hello Future works with young people from targeted areas across Cumbria, to ensure that everyone is able to make informed and inspired choices about their future, whoever they are, wherever they’re from. From information and practical sessions in schools and colleges, to projects and experiences in the community and with employers, Hello Future gives those who aren’t sure if college or university is for them a new perspective on higher education.
- Hello Future works closely with key stakeholders, teachers, advisors, parents and carers to support the conversation around higher education and create opportunities to develop the skill needed for continued education and training.
- The OfS Uni Connect Programme provides impartial advice and guidance on college and university.