Young people benefit from LJMU residential

LJMU Outreach has welcomed 25 young people from 12 schools across the North West to its annual Year 10 residential, targeted specifically at those in local authority or residential care.

The residential saw 14-15 year old pupils spend two days and one night on campus staying at one of LJMU’s approved student accommodation sites.

The annual event aims to gives participants a real insight into student life, introducing them to the concept of Higher Education - all while helping them to see the inclusive nature of LJMU.

The students took part in a range of educational and social activities, from a city-wide scavenger hunt to sport taster sessions in LJMU’s new Sports Building and a hands on mock trial within our School of Business and Law.

The final day saw the students don their caps and gowns and graduate from the 2022 residential.

When asked their favourite part of the residential experience, the pupils said:

“The law court session was amazing and fun.”

“Being able to see what it is like in a lecture and having your own accommodation with roommates really boosted my communications skills – thank you.”

“Everything!”

A teacher from Everton Free School commented: “We are grateful for this event and how well put together it was. The children got loads out of it and are already looking forward to the next one.”

Organiser, Catherine Shillito (Account Manager, Student Recruitment & Admissions), commented: “This event is just one of many targeted programmes we offer care-experienced young people. It highlights the need to offer groups who are under-represented in HE the opportunity to learn and develop while realising their potential.

“Over the next year we will continue to arrange a series of inbound activities, as well as offering our school mentoring programme. The feedback from both students and staff cements just how fundamental widening participation activities are, with the majority of attendees stating they are now more likely to apply to university.”

For more information about LJMU's widening participation work, please contact outreach@ljmu.ac.uk