1. ‘Life After University’ collaborative event
Supporting care experienced students as they begin to consider life after graduation
From rights and entitlements to employment and postgraduate study
AccessHE is the pan-London organisation that aims to support the progression of under-represented groups to higher education (HE). It does this by enabling HE institutions (HEIs), schools and colleges to achieve their objectives on widening access to HE more efficiently and effectively.
Headed up by Dr Graeme Atherton and chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Kingston University London, Julius Weinberg, AccessHE has established itself as the largest network of its kind in England since 2011.
AccessHE acts as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for our HEI members to circulate information regarding their outreach work to schools via our weekly e-bulletins and our website. 

2. What is AccessHE?
AccessHE is the pan-London organisation that aims to support the progression of under- represented groups to higher education (HE).
It does this by enabling HE institutions (HEIs), schools and colleges to achieve their objectives on widening access to HE more efficiently and effectively.
Founded in 2011 after end of Aimhigher
AccessHE is the pan-London organisation that aims to support the progression of under-represented groups to higher education (HE). It does this by enabling HE institutions (HEIs), schools and colleges to achieve their objectives on widening access to HE more efficiently and effectively.
Headed up by Dr Graeme Atherton and chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Kingston University London, Julius Weinberg, AccessHE has established itself as the largest network of its kind in England since 2011.
AccessHE acts as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for our HEI members to circulate information regarding their outreach work to schools via our weekly e-bulletins and our website. 
lower socio-economic groups, those from disadvantaged backgrounds who live in areas of relative deprivation where participation in HE is low, looked after children and disabled students.

3. AccessHE member HEIs Brunel University London Pearson College London
City, University of London
Ravensbourne
Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
Rose Bruford College
Courtauld Institute of Art*
Royal Holloway, University of London*
University of Greenwich
Royal Veterinary College*
Greenwich School of Management London
St Mary’s University College, Twickenham
University of Hull
University of Sussex
Kingston University London
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
LCA Business School, London
University College London*
London Metropolitan University
University for the Creative Arts
London School of Economics & Political Science*
The University of West London
London South Bank University
University of Westminster
Middlesex University
*Colleges of the University of London
AccessHE is a small operation with limited resources.
AccessHE currently has 25 Higher Education Institutions as members - large, small, specialist, range of courses, in and outside of London - many of which are represented here today.
As well as schools, colleges and HEIs in London we are working with the following partners at the moment:
Office for Fair Access (OFFA)
The National Union of Students (NUS)
The Association of Colleges (AOC)
The Greater London Authority (GLA)

4. What does AccessHE do?
AccessHE Advocate network - over 220 schools and colleges in every local authority in London
AccessHE Advocate programme - staff development events
AccessHE Expos
Weekly e-bulletin and monthly e-newsletter
NCO projects - AccessHE Creative, AccessHE Online, Capital Access, Prepare to Succeed
AccessHE forums - sharing best practice and developing collaborative solutions to widening access challenges in London. Forums include: The Arts and Design, Disability, Evidence and Evaluation, Student Ambassadors and Care Experienced and Estranged Students

5. Activity: What should care leavers consider when preparing for life after university?
Discuss the above in groups:
In which areas is support needed?
Which areas do you encounter in your role?
What resources are out there? Who can help?

6. Life After University event
Right and entitlements
Postgraduate study
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Employment
Housing
Finance

7. Who we involved
Higher Education Institutions – widening participation staff, designated member of staff (DMS), counselling services
Local authorities – leaving care services, virtual schools
Charities
Employers & recruitment specialists

10. Activity: How would you promote this event to care leaver/ care-experienced students?
Discuss the above in groups:
How would you disseminate the information – formats, platforms?
How would you encourage students to attend?
How would you encourage those who’ve booked to turn up on the day?

12. What we did Flyer and draft programme
Info sent to Designated Members of Staff (DMS) in HEIs – student support services, outreach practitioners
AccessHE e-bulletin – HEIs and advocates
Info sent to collaborative partners – charities, local authorities
Social media – twitter
Instant booking confirmation for those who booked
Several ‘contact’ s to participants between booking and event date
s sent from DMS’ to own students to further encourage attendance on the day

13. Conclusions
Consider the model of the event – multipronged or focused approach?
How to engage students?
Be flexible and allow open dialogue
Engage different stakeholders – local authorities, HEIs, charities, employers…
Collaboration is key!
It is worthwhile

14. Thank you for listening
Lauren Hedges, AccessHE Operations Manager
Guy Cowen-Hutton, AccessHE Operations Officer