Transforming futures through education

Northumbria University

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Collaboration is a cornerstone of success.

Whether driving business expansion or addressing social and economic challenges, strong partnerships lay foundations for lasting impact.

The power of robust relationships is equally evident in education.

And nowhere is it more clearly demonstrated than through the work of IntoUniversity Centres in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Developed by national education charity IntoUniversity, and delivered in partnership with Northumbria University, Newcastle University and supporters, the centres help young people facing disadvantage between seven and 18 build academic and soft skills that unlock brighter futures and successful careers.

Through first-hand learning in a non-school context, the centres provide tailored education and personalised feedback to students, who can work at their own pace.

Providing guidance on areas including homework and coursework, revision, secondary school transition, university and job applications, the centres also help with interview techniques and career options, with the latter supported through work experience placements and paid internships.

Northumbria University provides outreach support for the centres through its Higher Education Without Barriers fund, which has more widely helped more than 2500 students from traditionally under-represented backgrounds to access – and succeed at – university and progress through experiential learning opportunities with university corporate partners.

And the impact of the Newcastle-based IntoUniversity centre has been transformational.

Since opening in late 2021, the hub – based in Monkchester Community Centre and known as Newcastle East – has worked with more than 2100 students, with 64 per cent of its school leavers progressing to higher education in 2024.

The latter figure stands more than five times higher than the local average.

In addition, more than 130 Newcastle East centre students have gone on to study at university, the majority of which within the North East, helping to provide a pipeline of talent for the region’s future workforce.

One of those learners is Northumbria University law undergraduate Hiven Ahmedkarim.

She says: “As a first-generation university student, attending IntoUniversity helped me develop key skills, confidence and aspiration to apply to university.

“The staff gave me advice and encouragement and supported my application process to Northumbria.

“Talks by corporate partners and mentoring by current university students were inspiring.

“I am now confident and motivated for a career in law.”

And such has been the success of the Newcastle East centre that Northumbria and Newcastle universities expanded their partnership with IntoUniversity to open a second centre in BizSpace Design Works, in Felling, in the spring.

Mirroring the support delivered at Newcastle East, the Gateshead base is working with students on a structured programme of activities.

The Newcastle East centre is backed – past and present – by multiple organisations, including The Barbour Foundation, Siemens Energy, Enterprise Mobility, St Nicholas Educational Trust, Agile Business Consortium, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, Hachette UK and Sir James Knott Trust.

It is also supported by long-term Northumbria University partner, Newcastle-based international architectural practice Ryder Architecture, which is set to provide almost £250,000 over the next five years through donations and pro bono support.

Ryder’s work with Northumbria University forms part of the company’s wider social value programme, which also includes engaging with schools to drive careers development, the Ryder Bursary and its PlanBEE higher apprenticeship programme.

Mark Thompson, Ryder’s managing director and Northumbria University alumni, says: “We’re extremely proud of our community impact work, which is focused practice-wide on educational initiatives that support, inspire and equip young people with the skills to achieve their full potential.

“Having worked with Northumbria University for more than three decades, it’s great to extend our relationship to inspire and encourage future generations to consider higher education.”

Dan Monnery, Northumbria University pro vice-chancellor (external affairs), says: “We have worked with Ryder for many years, and we’re delighted they are supporting our IntoUniversity Centres so generously.

“They are an important strand of our commitment to our city and region, delivered through our partnership with IntoUniversity and Newcastle University.

“They demonstrate our ambition to inspire and support young people to open opportunities for themselves through education.”

Dr Rachel Carr, IntoUniversity co-founder and chief executive, adds: “The young people we support are often under-represented in academic and corporate spaces, and rarely get the opportunity to experience these environments growing up.

“IntoUniversity is hugely grateful to Ryder and the supporters of our centres for their invaluable contributions.

“A core part of our programme is helping young people feel these are careers they can aspire to, which would not be possible without corporate supporters like Ryder.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Ryder and our university partners to inspire young people in the North East.”

Northumbria University is seeking partners that share its social mobility ambitionsto provide philanthropic support for the delivery of the education programme across its IntoUniversity centres, as well as experiential learning opportunities for attendees.

For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected]