Nine out of ten students supported by Pathways to Birmingham (P2B) would not be able to afford the essentials or even come to University without it
For many young people, university can seem like a whole world away. They might be from a low-income background, be the first in their family to consider university, be a carer for an ill/disabled family member, be estranged from their parents, or many other factors – often a combination of challenges like these. They have proved their brilliance, drive and tenacity by succeeding at school while often handling extra responsibilities. You can help ensure their talent doesn’t go to waste simply because they don't have the relevant advice, experiences or finances.
Two major factors hold back our young people from becoming tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, nurses, inventors, conservationists, engineers, aid workers and much more.
- Firstly, many think that that university is ‘not for people like me’; no one from their school goes on to university and the whole concept seems overwhelming.
- Secondly, even for those who dare to dream of studying, taking on such a huge commitment seems like a big risk, especially if their family can’t offer a safety net if they run into difficulties.
Your support could mean young people won't be held back by their social or economic position
The Pathways to Birmingham programme offers two kinds of support:
- Summer schools on campus, subject tasters, careers advice, mentoring and more, to give young people the information and confidence they need. Alumni mentoring and internships help them turn their education into a meaningful career, where many give back to their community.
- The financial support needed to ensure they can stay at Birmingham and succeed in their course, covering essential costs like bills, food, daily travel to campus and books.
More students like Blessing need your support
'I lost my dad as a teenager. I needed to take time out from education to process it and to figure out where I would live, so I missed the key stage when my classmates were deciding on university applications. Thanks to the Access to Birmingham programme, I now know how much I am really capable of. After graduation, I plan to help young athletes prepare for life after sport, building up their education and mental resilience.'
Make a donation
You can help a young person who has had a difficult start in life discover how much they are truly capable of, through a gift starting at £5 a month or, to talk about a large gift, please email giving@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Give time
Your expertise and understanding could be invaluable to a student keen to follow your career path. Find out more about becoming a mentor, offering an internship or sharing your experience.