Posted 23 July 2026

Think back to the last campus visit, careers talk or workshop you ran. Maybe a student stayed behind to ask a question, tried something new or suddenly saw higher education (HE) as a real possibility. Those moments matter. They can be the spark. But here’s the tricky question: what happens when the room empties and everyone goes home? 

One-off outreach has been part of widening participation work for years, and for good reason. A single experience can challenge assumptions, build curiosity and help a young person picture a future they had not considered before. But a spark is only the beginning. Without something to keep it going, even the brightest moment can fade pretty quickly. 

Students from underrepresented backgrounds may be juggling limited information, low confidence, financial worries and few chances to experience life in HE firsthand. That is a lot for one afternoon to solve. It is a bit like handing someone a map without checking whether they have a way to travel, understand the route or feel confident taking the first step. Real change usually needs support that is consistent, purposeful and shaped around what students actually need. 

This is where programmes such as Leeds Futures come in. Launched by the University of Leeds in 2021, the programme was designed to move beyond isolated events and create a longer journey. Students are supported from Year 12 into Year 13, moving from exploring higher education to preparing for applications and the transition to university. Think of it less as a one-off invitation and more as an ongoing conversation. 

And this is not a small conversation. In 2024, Leeds Futures worked with 704 students from nine regions across England through 13 subject-specific strands. Students took part in online learning, visited campus and connected with academics, current students and peers. Instead of seeing a university through a glossy brochure, they had the chance to get a more realistic feel for how study and student life actually work. 

The subject-specialist approach matters too. Rather than offering a general message that ‘higher education is great’, students can explore areas they are genuinely interested in through lectures, seminars and practical activities that reflect the undergraduate experience. After all, choosing a degree is a big decision. Would any of us buy a new pair of shoes without trying them on first? Giving students a meaningful taste of a subject helps them make informed choices and build confidence in their own academic ability. 

Then there is belonging, which rarely appears overnight. Most of us do not feel completely at home after one visit to a new workplace, gym or social group. We need familiar faces, repeated experiences and opportunities to ask the questions we were too nervous to ask the first time. Regular contact with staff, student ambassadors and other participants gives students space to build that confidence gradually. A brilliant one-day event can start the process, but it is unlikely to finish it. 

Leeds Futures also connects engagement with a clear route forward. Eligible students who complete the core elements can access guaranteed contextual offers or interviews on some subject strands. That makes progression feel tangible rather than theoretical. In 2023-24, 44% of participants went on to apply to the University of Leeds, showing how sustained support can help turn ‘maybe university is for me’ into ‘I am going to apply’. 

So, should we stop doing one-off outreach events? Not at all. They can be a powerful first hello and an important entry point for learners. The opportunity is to make sure that first hello is followed by a clear next step, another conversation and support that continues when questions or doubts appear. 

Perhaps the issue is not whether a one-off activity is valuable. It is whether we have designed what comes after it. When the next student leaves an outreach event feeling inspired, what will be waiting for them the following week, the following month and the following year? 

To find out more about Leeds Futures, please email [email protected].  

 

Jess Burgess, Senior Communications Officer, University of Leeds, and Jordan Williams, Evaluation Assistant, University of Leeds