Future U funding renewed

Future U, which works to increase the numbers of young people in Lancashire attending higher education, has had its funding renewed for another year.

Since launching in 2017, Future U has held more than 800 events and activities to support more than 16,000 young people to think about applying for university. The programme works alongside the county’s four universities and 10 colleges throughout Lancashire and has continued to deliver activities online during the lockdown.

In addition to promoting the benefits of university to prospective students, the programme also supports young people to understand student finance, living away from home and raising career ambitions to develop the next set of skilled workers for the county.

It is funded by the £60m Uni Connect programme, which supports 29 different projects like Future U across the UK. The finance covers the academic year to July 2021.

Theo Blackburn, programme manager at Future U said: “Future U plays a crucial role in supporting young people across Lancashire by raising their aspirations and removing barriers to them progressing on to university as well as Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.

"As part of Phase 2 of our project we are very excited about the increased number of schools and colleges we are able to support with our new criteria. We’re also watching what a positive impact our new website is having in supporting all secondary schools across Lancashire.

"We will be increasing the range of resources available over the coming months including guidance for parents and carers on how to support their young people."

Future U's partners include Blackburn College, Blackpool Sixth Form College, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Burnley College, Edge Hill University, Inspira, Kendal College, Lancaster University, Myerscough College, Nelson and Colne College, Preston’s College, STEMFirst, Runshaw College, The Lancashire Colleges, University of Central Lancashire, University of Cumbria, West Lancashire College.

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