Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 3h

Seeing people like you succeed can have a huge impact on your aspirations ✨

Take it from Ryan, a year 13 student at The Access Project, whose trip to @sussex.ac.uk gave him his first glimpse at student life 🎓

We can't wait for our next round of university trips to kick off next year!

Ryan, Year 13 student at The Access Project. Text reads: I talked to students from different backgrounds and it was nice to see how diverse the university was. Hearing their experiences gave me new insights into higher education.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 1d

Thanks to our key partners at ICG for once again inviting us to your offices alongside @upreach.bsky.social to share more about our volunteer coaching programme.

It is a pleasure to work with partners and colleagues who care about making a positive impact on the lives of young people.

Screenshot of slide deck featuring ICG, The Access Project and upReach logos. Text reads: Lunch and learn: The Access Project and upReach, 30.09.2025

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 3d

Volunteer coaching is flexible, fits around your schedule, and you don't need any former experience to get started. Take it from Lucia - it's one of the most rewarding things you can do. 🌟

Ready to get started? Visit our website to learn more 🔗 https://loom.ly/TDvaqVg

Lucia, volunteer coach at The Access Project. Text reads: Coaching curious, engages and ambitious young people, who are capable of making our world the better place we want and need it to be, is one of the most rewarding things I've done.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 6d

We're hiring a #Salesforce coordinator to join our operations team!

This position plays a key role in the analysis of our impact, maintenance of our systems, and development of technologies 📈

Closing date 20 October.

Apply now 👉 https://loom.ly/gDlreJ0

#DataJobs #CharityJobs #Hiring

Two students at The Access Project linking arms and gesturing towards eachother. Text reads: We're hiring! Senior Salesforce Coordinator. Remote. Apply via our website: theaccessproject.org.uk.

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 7d

Will maintenance grants improve social mobility?

Helena Gillespie at @uk.theconversation.com discusses responses to the government's plan to reintroduce maintenance grants for low income students, featuring The Access Project's Anna Searle.

#LPC2025

https://loom.ly/d7vu34M

Labour to revive maintenance grants and further education – but can it improve skills and social mobility at the same time?

Starmer’s vision for a changed education sector attempts to use the same measures to address two separate problems.

theconversation.com

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 7d

G'mar chatima tova to all of our Jewish students, colleagues, and supporters observing Yom Kippur 💚

Corner cutout shows image of Torah scroll. Hebrew text reads: G'mar chatima tovah (English: a good final sealing). The Access Project

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 9d

Maintenance grants will be reintroduced for low income students studying "priority courses".

We welcome this development as a step towards achieving accessible, fair, and inclusive university education for all.

Read The Access Project's response in full 🔗 https://loom.ly/kVwDwGM

#LPC2025

Maintenance grants to be reintroduced from 2029 - The Access Project

Low income students who are studying priority courses will be eligible for maintenance grants, the Education Secretary has announced.

theaccessproject.org.uk

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 9d

An evening with Barack Obama!

Last week, a handful of our students visited London's O2 arena to listen to Barack Obama in conversation with David Olusoga. We had a brilliant night hearing the former US President discuss the road ahead to supporting the next generation.

#Politics #SocialMobility

Billboard featuring US President Barack Obama. Text reads: Seat Unique presents An evening with President Barack Obama in conversation with David Olusoga. Welcome to the O2.

Barack Obama on stage at London's O2 arena.

View of O2 arena crowd watching Barack Obama.

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 13d

State education is under extreme pressure.

Our #WideningParticipation programme invites young people aged from the country's most under-resourced areas to develop essential skills and place at top universities - giving them the best chance to thrive later in life.

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 15d

Fundraising, but make it delicious 🍰✨

Enormous thanks to our partners at Vodafone, who recently hosted a bake sale with all proceeds going to The Access Project. We're so lucky to have your support (and not at all jealous we missed out on these goodies 👀).

Thanks to everybody who bought a treat!

Kitchen space at Vodafone. A colleague is stood behind a wooden table displaying a selection of cakes and baked goods.

A selection of baked goods at Vodafone's bake sale.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 16d

Your volunteering journey is about to begin... 🌟

We're recruiting skills coaches to work one-to-one with the young people on our programme. All it takes is one hour a month, and the ambition to make a difference. Think you're the right fit? 👀

Apply to coach now 🔗 https://loom.ly/zy0pSzQ

Female volunteer smiling and holding phone and coffee cup. Text reads: Flexible volunteering to fit around your work. Now recruiting skills coaches for January 2026 start.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 21d

Three A*s and off to uni 🌟

Sophie always wanted to go to uni, but didn't have a clear path. With help from The Access Project, Sophie discovered a passion for English literature - and this September, Sophie is off to study English at @unibirmingham.bsky.social 🙌

Congratulations, Sophie!

Sophie, The Access Project alum. Sophie is making a heart gesture with their hands. Text reads: I was unsure of what I'd like to study, but through studying English Literature with The Access Project, I realised my passion for the subject and decided to further pursue it at degree level. I'd like to become an English teacher, spreading my passion to the next generation.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 22d

As many past students head to uni, what better time to share alum Mizanul's 5 tips for student life?
1️⃣ Use your opportunities
2️⃣ Control your intake
3️⃣ Manage your time well
4️⃣ Understand your body, love yourself
5️⃣ Structure your finances well.
Read Miz's full blog 🔗 https://loom.ly/EcU48lw

Two Polaroid-style photos of The Access Project alum, Mizanul, one captioned '2013' showing Mizanul in school uniform, and one captioned 'First year of uni'. Heading reads: Mizanul's top five tips for starting university'. Bottom text reads: "Whether you're on the toilet or tucked up in bed, grab yourself a pen and paper - you'll need it!"

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 23d

Today, @thefea.bsky.social launches the 2025 Report Card.

As part of this cross-sector coalition, we’re proud to back the call for an education system that equips every young person to shape the future, not be held back by their background.

Read and share the full report 👇

#FairEducation

Fair Education Alliance @thefea.bsky.social · 23d

📊 The Fair Education 2025 Report Card is here.

Our 4 priorities:

1️⃣ Mission-driven government
2️⃣ Workforce in underserved areas
3️⃣ Prepare young people for tomorrow
4️⃣ Universalise inclusion

Read the report👉 www.faireducation.org.uk/report-card-...

#FairEducation #ReportCard2025

1 1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 24d

Online volunteering opportunities now open! 💚

We're recruiting volunteer coaches to help young people across the country develop essential skills to succeed in school, the workplace, and beyond.

Curious about #volunteering? Visit our website to learn more 🔗 https://loom.ly/TDvaqVg

Groups of students sat around tables in the library at Queen Mary University of London. Text reads: Want to give back as you grow?

A woman holding a microphone and looking out into a room full of students. Text reads: Put your skills to work helping others.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 27d

One in five children in the UK live with digital poverty.

#EndDigitalPovertyDay calls for national action to help millions still disconnected.

Digital access is key to fair education. Help us make digital access a right built into our systems, not left to chance 👏

#EDPD25 #DigitalInclusion

Text reads: Did you know? 1 in 5 children in the UK still live in digital poverty. That means no laptop. No reliable internet. No quiet space to learn. And no way to keep in a system that assumes you are already connected. End Digital Poverty Day. digitalpovertyalliance.org.

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · 28d

Next stop, uni! 🎓
Fresh from A level success, Riveen's off to study at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social. And he'll be heading there with more than good grades.
✔️ University insights
✔️ Reassurance
✔️ Increased confidence.
Read his story 🔗 https://loom.ly/EV8S-9A

The Access Project student, Riveen, sits smiling at the camera, his A level results in his hand. In the blurred background, a number of other students gather to collect their results. Text reads: From the East Midlands... to the University of Edinburgh.

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Sep 9

Can we write to you? ✍️

Find volunteering opportunities, fundraisers, success stories and more in our quarterly supporters' newsletter 🗞️

Join our mailing list 🔗 https://loom.ly/aF6RgJ8

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Sep 5

Please consider giving to The Access Project on #InternationalDayofCharity so that we can help under-resourced young people like Mel to overcome barriers to education and achieve social mobility.

Make a donation 👉 https://loom.ly/kflPMcE

#CharityDay

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Sep 2

Zara picked up A*AA on results day - and this September she's off to study medicine at @hyms.bsky.social

🗣️ "The Access Project gave me the clarity and support I needed to turn that dream into a realistic goal"

Congratulations to Zara - we know you'll do amazing things at university and beyond!

Zara, former student at The Access Project, holding up her results paper. Text reads: It had been my goal from a very young age, but I didn't truly understand what being a doctor meant or how to pursue the pathway into medicine. The Access Project gave me the clarity and support I needed to turn that dream into a realistic goal.

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Sep 1

It's September, which means one thing... Back to school!

Best of luck to all the students, teachers, and other colleagues heading back to school today. We're looking forward to another year of empowering young people to succeed in education and beyond ✨

#SocialMobility #HigherEducation

1 2

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Aug 28

We're hiring!

University Access Officer
⏳ Contract - Permanent, part-time
💷 Salary - £14,742 (£24,570 FTE)
📍 Location - Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
📅 Closing date - 16 September

Apply now 🔗 https://loom.ly/43DQl_E

#Hiring #CharityJobs

Female student at The Access Project, smiling. Text reads: We're hiring! University Access Officer. Kirkby in Ashfield (on-site). Apply via our website. Theaccessproject.org.uk

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Aug 27

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Summer Giving campaign so far – together you’ve helped raise £1,250! 🌟

There's still time to give. Make a donation today and you'll help even more young people succeed in school and place at top universities 💚

Donate 🔗 https://loom.ly/53nTbJk

Group of students from The Access Project celebrating, making fist pump gestures and holding their results envelopes on A level results day 2025. Text reads: The Access Project Summer Giving. You raised... £1,250. Thank you!

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Aug 26

Great to see our partner schools featured in Times and Star on A level results day!

Thanks to @queenscollegeox.bsky.social for supporting our work in our Cumbria schools 🤩

https://loom.ly/iBXncYM

Sixth form students celebrate success on A-Level results day

The sixth form, encompassing Workington Academy and The Whitehaven Academy, celebrated their hard work and achievements.

www.timesandstar.co.uk

1

The Access Project @theaccessproject.org.uk · Aug 21

Thinking of all our GCSE students today as you receive your results. We are so proud of everything you have achieved, and we wish you continued success on your pathway to a top university ✨.

Congratulations to you all! 👏

#GCSEResultsDay2025 #ResultsDay

Emma, a student on The Access Project in Woolwich, smiles as she collects her results this morning.

Joshlyn, a student on The Access Project, proudly holds her results.

1