University of Birmingham students celebrated at Student Social Mobility Awards 2024
Two University of Birmingham undergraduate students were shortlisted for this year’s Student Social Mobility Awards.
Current undergraduate students, Ozzy Barker, and Laura Ukpokolo, have recently been celebrated for overcoming adversity and achieving exceptional accomplishments in their studies and beyond at upReach’s annual Student Mobility Awards 2024.
upReach is a social-mobility charity which works with leading employers and universities to support students to discover a variety of career options and develop the skills, networks and experiences needed to succeed in their chosen career.
The Student Mobility Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements of undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds across the UK, who have faced challenges such as balancing multiple responsibilities outside their studies, limited professional networks and living in areas with low job prospects.
Ozzy Barker was shortlisted for this year’s Improving Social Mobility Award, which recognised the contributions of students to tackle social mobility while at university.
In my second year of university, I stumbled upon upReach which changed my life forever (...) . This sparked my self-development and professional journey, championing social mobility, and working to ensure young people from my background get access to the opportunities, resources, and knowledge I was deprived of when I was younger.
Ozzy established his own social mobility charity, Empowering N Developing Society (ENDS), which has empowered over 100 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, through social and cultural enrichment programmes – teaching soft skills and boosting confidence. Ozzy was also invited to represent the UK as Inclusion and Equal Opportunities delegate at the Youth G7 in Rome.
On his experience with upReach, Ozzy said: “In my second year of university, I stumbled upon upReach which changed my life forever. Suddenly, I had access to industry mentors, skills sessions, and insights I never had before. This sparked my self-development and professional journey, championing social mobility, and working to ensure young people from my background get access to the opportunities, resources, and knowledge I was deprived of when I was younger.”
Laura Ukpokolo was nominated for the Law Sector Award, which recognises the outstanding achievements of undergraduates in specific career sectors while at university. Laura also received the University of Birmingham Black Talent in Law Award, due to her exceptional academic achievement.
I hope being nominated for the Student Social Mobility Awards will give me the platform and space to share my story and show other students that anything you put your mind to is possible despite whatever setbacks you face.
Alongside her studies, Laura has committed her time to working as a mentor to disadvantaged young people and supporting them to access higher education.
Laura said: “I hope being nominated for the Student Social Mobility Awards will give me the platform and space to share my story and show other students that anything you put your mind to is possible despite whatever setbacks you face.”
Nick Bent, CEO of upReach says: “These awards illuminate the journeys of those who, despite economic adversity, have triumphed over significant obstacles to succeed. Their stories serve as invaluable inspiration for their peers and future generations at a time when this is sorely needed. It is an honour to be able to celebrate and uplift the individuals and organisations dedicated to improving social mobility throughout the UK.”
Congratulations to Ozzy and Laura for their nominations.