Posted 24 June 2021

Uni Connect has created a handbook for local Year 10 students that meets the demand for wellbeing materials, bridges the digital divide, and offers something unique to the world of online outreach. 

Outreach Officers Eliza Cox (University of Leeds), Laura Bareham (University of Huddersfield) and Sophie Clayton (Leeds City College) produced the resource after the pandemic severely disrupted their engagement with schools.  

The handbook, entitled ‘Shaping Your Future Starts Here’, takes students through the FE and HE process, as well as providing lots of wellbeing tips and advice. It is written in the same informal and friendly tone you would find in a self-help book.  

The collaborative project involved input from colleagues from many partners and feedback from Progression Officers shaped the final product. 

Hundreds of copies have been distributed across 51 GHWY schools and it has received incredibly positive feedback from HE colleagues and teachers. One said: “I’m sure our pupils will love completing them. I wish I had something like it when I was in school!” 

Due to high demand, extra copies are being printed and the PDF is being circulated across partners. Eliza, Sophie and Laura look forward to working with the GHWY Evaluation team to monitor engagement, and to creating some supporting resources for use in lessons.