Partnership with LCET

Aimhigher works closely in partnership with LCET, a local charity that aims to support young people in Luton to help them meet their full potential by offering a range of initiatives to meet their needs.

One key area of engagement for LCET is supporting young people in care, in particular those aged 16-19 who are due to make the transition to independent living.

Their Therapeutic Director, Lynsey Johnston, sits on the Aimhigher Reach Your Goal Steering Group chaired by Roisin Kendall of the University of Bedfordshire. The steering group was established 5 years ago and brings together professionals from all sectors who work with young people in care. Through this focused partnership working, local organisations and agencies work together to develop a range of opportunities to help inspire, motivate and raise the aspirations of these young people along with helping to develop their life skills.

Following on from the successful Reach Your Goal residentials at Shuttleworth College, where young people in care from across Bedfordshire accessed a range of opportunities to help them develop their independent living skills, LCET recognised that  residentials are not suitable for all young people and developed a similar 6 day non-residential course running over a period of 3 weeks. 

Roisin Kendall and Jane Osborn of Aimhigher both worked as support staff on LCET’s recent 6 day programme in October, together with a social worker from Luton 16+ team and LCET staff. Young people were referred by their social workers and following an informal interview process, 7 boys aged 16-19 and one 19 year old girl were offered places. 

The course content covered a range of topics including budgeting skills, how  to retain a tenancy, sexual health, drug and alcohol awareness, developing assertiveness, housework, next steps, anger management, fire safety in the home and finance. Sessions were informal, fun and interactive and all participants completely involved themselves in the activities and helped develop the groups knowledge further by their individual contributions.

The course culminated in a celebration event on the evening of the final day when the young people were presented with a folder of their work and a certificate to recognise their achievement. Monthly reunion meetings have been planned to offer on-going support and the young people are already looking forward to meeting up again in November.

Feedback from the group has been extremely positive. Seeing their confidence increase over the 3 week period made it a very rewarding experience for all the staff involved and Aimhigher look forward to future partnership working with LCET and other members of the Reach Your Goal Steering Group.

Aimhigher project is picture perfect

The University of Bedfordshire’s Aimhigher team has joined up with the On Track Education Centre in Silsoe for a picture-perfect exhibition in the new Campus Centre in Luton.

The Aimhigher team worked with award-winning photographer Ania Dabrowska to offer a unique, interactive photography project for 14 students from the Centre for Alternative Education.

The students, aged between 13 and 15, were given five days, a camera and editing software to capture images in everyday life that reflected their aspirations and future. Afterwards, the students’ work was turned into a stunning display of artwork.

The exhibition, named Ignition of Life by the students, has been showcased at the On Track Education Centre and Luton Central Library, finishing up at the exhibition space in the University Campus Centre.

The students saw their photographs displayed and also enjoyed an afternoon of interactive activities to encourage self-reflection, raise aspirations and learn about university life.

One student, Nigel, said he “felt excited and impressed that the school’s work was being exhibited at the University.” Ian, a teacher from the Centre, said: "In the time we've spent at the University, the students have been engaged and I can see they've all enjoyed the experience.”

This is the first joint photography project that the Aimhigher team has offered and it has been a resounding success. A quote on one piece of work reads: “I did not want to do anything, just tried to stay out of trouble and not get caught. I now want to be a garden designer.”

Steve Kendall, Associate Dean of the University’s Partnership Office said: “We’re thrilled that this new venture has been such a success. We’re always searching for new, interactive ways to raise aspirations and I think the standard of the artwork produced shows that we’re on the right track.”

Working collaboratively within the area to support young people at risk, enhance their opportunities and widen participation in education, the Ignition of Life project is just part of the University’s community engagement initiative.

Aimhigher works with young people to raise their awareness, achievement and aspirations and to promote accessible routes into Higher Education. The On Track Centre specialises in working with vulnerable young people and students with emotional and behavioural needs.