Like everyone, colleagues working in widening participation have faced an extremely challenging year.

But the new look, all digital annual report shows the hard work and passion that has not only kept the show on the road but even increased its impact on talented young people who are under-represented in higher education.

Face-to-face outreach activity stopped in March and since then staff have worked hard to create digital and online versions of our programmes, as well as rapidly designing new activities to address the sudden challenges that have arisen.

The University’s teaching, learning and student support services such as Wellbeing, Careers and Peer Support also moved online, while the Division of Development and Alumni Relations’ Emergency Hardship campaign raised over £1 million providing essential funding and resources directly to students.

In addition, the report shows:

• 2,910 contextual offers were made to students – an 8% increase on last year;
• More than 480 students have been accepted at Manchester after completing one of our Access Manchester programmes – a 43% increase on last year;
• Our Great Science Share for Schools also saw a 43% increase in engagement since last year, with 46% of participating English schools from high priority areas;
• The IntoUniversity Manchester North centre, one of our partners who provide mentoring and support for local school children in Blackley, north Manchester, has delivered 1,130 phone calls since March as part of the remote Academic Support programme;
• 1,230 University staff and alumni volunteered in local schools as Governors;
• Greater Manchester Higher, a collaborative network that provides information, guidance and advice on routes to higher education, saw 1,039 activities delivered to 18,900 individual learners in 176 schools and colleges;
• Our Diversity Champions Project won the Community Cohesion/Diversity Award at the Outstanding Social Behaviour Awards 2020;
• As part of our commitment to being a University of Sanctuary we provided 5 fully-funded places to students who are unable to receive student finance from the government due to their asylum status.

Feedback from students shows the impact of maintaining our existing support.

One bursary recipient said: “The Manchester Bursary is the reason why I have been able to complete my degree. Without this bursary I would have definitely had to quit before now.”

And a Manchester Access Programme (MAP) student said: “I was expecting MAP to be called off this year but this shows their commitment and passion for the Access Programme. The fact that they still manage to keep it going virtually makes me really proud to be connected to this programme.”

Head of Widening Participation, Stephanie Lee said: “This year has been a significant and unique challenge for WP as we have sought to react to and mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the children, young people, students, and graduates that we work with. We are really proud of how we have reacted to this challenge. In this report we showcase some of the new WP activity that now exists, in addition to demonstrating how our established programmes have adapted to the current situation.”

To read the report, visit: UoM Widening Participation annual report 2020

For further information, visit: UoM Widening Participation