By Becky Edwards, Senior Lecturer, University of Chichester
In 2019, UPP Foundation funded the early stages of the University of Chichester’s Adversity to University (A2U) Programme. Seven years later, the programme is still going strong. We are delighted to publish a series of three blogs exploring how A2U came into being, how it works, the challenges that have been overcome and what the programme’s research reveals about its impact on participating students.
Adversity to University (A2U) is an innovative programme led by the University of Chichester, utilisising the transformative potential of higher education to tackle social inequalities, promote social justice, and change futures.
The project officially started in 2018 with a collaboration between the University of Chichester and a local homelessness charity: Stonepillow. It was made possible by essential start up funding from UPP Foundation and has since expanded to work with a range of charities, community groups, and county council. The programme supports non-traditional students from diverse, often marginalised backgrounds including: those who have experienced homelessness, asylum seekers, refugees, care experienced young adults, prisoners, and those who have previously disengaged with education.
Through outreach work and individualised support, almost 300 students have now accessed our 12-week bridging course a key element of the programme. The course develops academic skills by drawing on lived experience and giving students ownership of their learning through co-produced content. Those who finish the course and complete the assignments gain 20 academic credits. Many have used these to continue into higher education or employment, and our research and evaluations show that almost all agree that A2U has played a crucial role in rebuilding self-belief and creating a renewed sense of belonging as valued members of society.
Developing from the provision of a single course for 10 homeless people .to delivering multiple courses to 300 students, has meant overcoming many barriers and challenges. I will talk about these in more detail in my next blog but what we have learnt, is that no problem is insurmountable if the desire to overcome it is fueled by a shared determination and belief in a cause and is supported by people who care enough to make a difference.
Many of the students who join A2U have been failed, denied or demeaned by our education system, yet they are amongst some of the most able students we have ever taught, each of them with a hunger for learning that is almost tangible.
As an individual, I have been forced to re-assess and re-evaluate everything I have ever believed; to challenge my own prejudice and to understand that it is not lack of ability but inequality of opportunity that prevents those we have chosen to exclude and ostracise from reaching their academic and personal potential.
It has not only changed me but it has begun to change the very fabric of our university, the background of the students, and its understanding of inclusion.
What few people know is that it all began with a man in a van and a helping of macaroni cheese …
Learn more by checking out the second in this series of blogs, to be published on 17 February.
