Blog: Day offers care-experienced young people an introduction to university life

A day aimed at raising awareness of higher education for care-experienced young people has been held at Harper Adams University.

The event was designed to help explore different routes to university - as well as build confidence and demystify the transition into higher education. 

Delivered in partnership with the Care Leaver Covenant and Telford & Wrekin Council, the insight day reinforced the University’s ongoing commitment to Widening Participation and supporting learners from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Eight young care-experienced people took part in a programme designed to provide a realistic and supportive introduction to university life. 

Participants experienced a range of hands-on academic activities, including sessions with the university rally car and lambing, alongside a guided campus tour and an introduction to the support available to care experienced students at Harper Adams. 

The insight day was led by Rachel Brookes, Widening Participation Lead at Harper Adams University, with support from Lily Morris, Participation and Engagement Coordinator for the Care Leaver Covenant.   

Rachel said: “We’d held initial meetings with the care leaver team at Telford & Wrekin Council – which is where the idea for the day began to take shape 

“The majority of the young people that attended had interacted with Harper Adams University and the Covenant previously at their care leaver forum – but this was their first time getting hands-on with on-campus activities and seeing more of what we have to offer with their own eyes. 

“I’d really like to thank The Care Leaver Covenant team, Telford & Wrekin Council and all colleagues involved in supporting the delivery of the day – we were certainly able to offer a varied programme, showing off our Future Farm, award-winning facilities, and more. 

“The day was part of Harper Adams University’s wider commitments as a signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant, a national initiative that encourages organisations to work towards improving outcomes for care experienced young people.   

“Through this pledge, we recognise the additional barriers care-experienced students may face and will work collaboratively with partners to provide inclusive opportunities, targeted support and clear progression routes into higher education. 

“The University remains committed to strengthening its support for care-experienced students and to working as part of a national network of organisations driving positive change through the Care Leaver Covenant.”