The online mentoring charity Brightside has responded to the urgent challenge of COVID-19 by designing and launching a new online mentoring programme to support the current generation of Year 13 students who are facing unprecedented hurdles in their transition to university.
Brightside has mobilised a coalition of nine higher education institutions and Uni Connect consortia in a national programme, which will support students in their network of schools and colleges throughout England.
Brightside:- Prepare for HE is a new programme designed to support Year 13 students and other university offer-holders as they navigate this unique and complex series of challenges, following the cancellation of their exams and implications for their university places.
Launching today, the 16-week programme will support students to transition successfully to university and will:-
– motivate students to retain their university places through increased preparedness and reduced disruption
– increase students’ confidence and excitement about their future university life
– deliver trustworthy, organised and personalised support and reassurance to students, helping them to navigate the challenges of unexpected developments and uncertainty
– offer students continuity and effective transition, in the outcome of a ‘closed campus’ scenario in September
– maintain an adaptable and flexible approach, to suit an evolving landscape and the specific and imminent needs of individual mentees
- Mentees will:
– develop their coping skills and be able to deal with setbacks and overcome challenges
– build a sense of belonging and feel nurtured
– be able to understand and tap into the support networks available to them
– maintain their motivation for their chosen subject and institution
– feel prepared for changes in learning styles at university
– increase their understanding of what to expect from university study and life
– become empowered to make confident and informed decisions
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said:
“I know this is a difficult and uncertain time for those who want to go to university this autumn, but no student’s future should be put on hold because of the coronavirus.
“I’m delighted to see the Brightside mentoring programme supporting young people as they transition to university in these unusual circumstances. This help and reassurance will be invaluable to these students empowering them to make the best decisions.”
Y13 students in Greater Manchester can find out more and sign up here: gmhigher.ac.uk/events/prepare-for-he
This article is taken from Brightside’s Press Release – 1 June 2020