Students have shared their first-hand experience of a programme supporting young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Leeds, as it celebrates ten years of changing lives.
IntoUniversity centres offer a safe space for young people from the least privileged neighbourhoods across the UK to learn, explore and succeed.
Its two locations in Leeds – located in Beeston and Harehills – offer after-school study sessions, mentor meetings and a FOCUS programme to inspire and support ambition in schoolchildren. This year, they mark ten years of success in the city.
The University of Leeds has partnered with IntoUniversity for the past decade, and many of its students volunteer as mentors with local pupils, helping to make higher education more accessible for children.
Over the ten years, more than 14,000 young people have been supported, with 62% of IntoUniversity Leeds students progressing on to Higher Education, compared to 24% of Free School Meal students across the city.
Into University helped me to expand my knowledge at a young age and enabled me to consider the educational opportunities available and my future ahead.
Aneesah, now a Social Work student, first came across IntoUniversity when she was at primary school, and remembers doing activities like arts and crafts, acting and learning about journalism and Macbeth.
She said the scheme gave an "exciting insight" into university life, the range of courses, the halls of residences and graduation ceremonies.
"The staff supported us through sharing their experience at the University with enthusiasm and answering our limitless questions," she said. "It was extremely interesting to hear about student life at university and the perseverance students require to reach success.
"Into University helped me to expand my knowledge at a young age and enabled me to consider the educational opportunities available and my future ahead."
Second year student Riham first experienced the work that IntoUniversity does when she was just ten years old.
She remembers IntoUniversity staff hosting a week of fun activities, followed by a 'graduation ceremony' in the Great Hall at the University of Leeds.
Last year, when Riham arrived at the University to study a BA in Education, she discovered that she could volunteer as a mentor with IntoUniversity, so signed up to give back to children across Leeds who may be feeling unsure about their futures.
Making university accessible
Riham said: "IntoUniversity really opens up a new perspective on university to children and the reality of it: the process, the different courses, the help and support available.
"All of this can make university more desirable and accessible for young people.
"Being a mentor is really rewarding. You get to see the person really grow throughout your time with them. Instead of seeing me as a teacher or an authoritative figure, I'm more relatable - someone a student can feel comfortable around, who they can ask anything.
"Next year I will hopefully graduate in the Great Hall – it will be a nice full circle moment from the IntoUniversity 'ceremony' there when I was at primary school."
Ella, an Environmental Science student at the University of Leeds who volunteers with IntoUniversity, spoke about the rewarding process of being a mentor to young children across Leeds.
"I volunteer because I want to have a positive impact in my time at university; through IntoUniversity I can do that by helping a young person reach their academic goals and improve their confidence, and perhaps progress onto Higher Education," she said.
I have become more reflective about my future.
A pupil in year 7 at a local school who has worked with IntoUniversity in Leeds said: "I've found my mentor a big help. We've done a lot of History revision together and I've learnt new revision techniques. After this, my test scores got better and I have a new interest in studying History.
"I've learnt about different pathways in the future from my mentor and I have become more reflective about my future. My communication skills have improved and I feel more confident talking to new people."
Loredana David, a third year Psychology student, said that volunteering with IntoUniversity has been one of the highlights of her time at university. "Meeting so many different pupils, from so many different backgrounds, has been incredibly inspiring."
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Leeds, said: "IntoUniversity is a real team effort: the Leeds centres, local community, charities and organisations, as well as our alumni community, colleagues and students have all played a part in helping this programme change lives for young people over the last decade.
"These wonderful experiences are a great example of how partnership working can benefit our local community, which is a priority for us. It is why we have committed to supporting IntoUniversity for five more years, and we hope to see even more positive stories in the future."
Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Founder, IntoUniversity, said: "We are thrilled to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of our first Leeds centre and our ongoing partnership with the University of Leeds, which has seen us go from one centre to three in the city.
"Over the years, we've had the privilege of working with thousands of talented young individuals in Leeds, helping them reach their full potential and achieve their educational goals.
"Thank you so much to our partner the University of Leeds who have made these centres possible, we look forward to carrying on the successful collaboration for many years to come."
