Local youth learning centre supported by Bristol Uni celebrates a decade of community work

IntoUniversity Bristol East, a learning centre that has inspired thousands of young people towards a brighter future, has just celebrated its 10^th anniversary.

With over a decade of important community service and 6,400 young people inspired, they celebrated with an event on Monday at their centre on Trinity Road.

Through academic support, mentoring, workshops and trips, they help children aged seven and above improve both their academics and life skills.

An example of this is the 4,600 young people that have been taken on trips to the University of Bristol and the 6,800 hours of mentoring received.

A year eight student and participant of IntoUniversity Bristol East said: “The staff at IntoUniversity help me do homework and explain things in a fun way and allow me to work in a team but also individually.

“Their academic support has taught me to persevere in my studies and to be determined which has helped me in school as well.”

IntoUniversity Bristol East student enjoying the celebrations

The centre began its work in the Barton Hill and surrounding areas in 2013, run by the national charity IntoUniversity alongside the University of Bristol.

With only one in five young people from Barton Hill going to university, which is much lower than the national average, programmes like this are vital to widen academic participation and opportunities.

Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the ten-year anniversary of our Bristol East centre and our partnership with the University of Bristol.

“Together, we have supported thousands of talented young people in east Bristol, supporting them to realise their ambitions and achieve their educational potential. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership in the years to come.”

IntoUniversity currently runs 39 learning centres and projects across the country, focused on disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Recently they have opened another learning centre in Bishopsworth, this time in collaboration with the University of Exeter and the University of Bath.

Bristol locals can also receive funding to help pursue their futures with the University of Bristol’s Bristol Scholars and Black Bristol Scholarship Programme.

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