Bradford students have secured places at leading universities this autumn after participating in the Social Mobility Foundation’s free of charge programmes. The Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) is a charity which aims to make a practical improvement in social mobility for young people from low-income backgrounds.
Since 2011, the programme has helped 50 students from across the district. Students from this year’s cohort will be going to study subjects including law, psychology and philosophy at universities that include Manchester, Leeds and the London School of Economics. Successful students are provided with a programme of mentoring, skills development, university application support and the opportunity for work placements at over 200 prestigious employers in the UK. Support continues whilst they are at university.
Current SMF student Mateusz, from Tong High School, starts at the London School of Economics this autumn. Reflecting on the benefits of our mentoring support, Mateusz, told Asian Voice: "My mentor has not only been able to guide me through my university application and admissions tests, but has also been very helpful in explaining the realities of my chosen career and steered me in the right direction. The insight and knowledge I have received from him, combined with the support from the SMF, has enable me to secure a place at one of the best universities in the world.”
Amandeep, from Bradford Academy, starts at the University of Leeds this year. Amandeep took part in SMF’s Linklaters Law Residential Programme and told Asian Voice: "The residential at Linklaters was very rewarding and a once in a lifetime opportunity. It helped me understand the key operations that are important within the law sector, as well as gain valuable skills, which are important to any profession.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Executive Member for Education, Skills and Culture, said: "I’d like to congratulate the young people who took part who have worked so hard to get to university. This is a great initiative, where young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, have been able to achieve more and gain new skills by being supported and mentored.”
For more information website: www.socialmobility.org.uk
