Hold on to your hats!
It’s one of the busiest autumns we’ve had at Grit. We’re back working with students at University of Westminster, the University of Hull, Nottingham Trent University, Bath Spa University and at the University of Greenwich where we’re also delivering a programme for Students of Colour.
We’ve been working with new partners Queen Mary University of London and Abertay University; and we’re about to start delivering at the University of Law and in Cardiff University.
Meanwhile, workshops continue as part of the Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation project (EDEPI) working to create a diverse postgraduate community, this month at Liverpool John Moores University.
Then there’s the programme with Allerdale and Copeland Community Safety Team (part of Allerdale Council) that has just kicked off, not to mention coaching and follow up sessions with young people in schools across Warwickshire.
So it’s fantastic to welcome our newest member of the team, Vicky Singer, who’s going to be helping out behind the scenes. Welcome to the team, Vicky. Hold on to your hat!
“I wish I’d done this in my first year”
Feisal did one of our earliest higher education programmes as a student at Kingston University. Here is his take on Grit.
“The students are so hungry, so engaged and curious.”
Paula Alter has been a Trainer with Grit for almost 30 years. Here she reflects on what it is like to work with university students.
“I was a volunteer on some of the very first Grit programmes back in the 1990s. I said I was interested in becoming a Grit trainer and before I knew it I was doing a Training for Trainers course.
I’ve been delivering Grit university programmes since the very early ones at Kingston and Thames Valley. From the off the work really resonated with me. Way before Grit, when I was a 3rd year university student, I’d done a personal development programme and it transformed my final year and ultimately had an important impact on my life. So I know from experience what a difference engaging in personal development can make.”
Read more about Paula’s Grit journey here.
Jayne’s Story
Sixth former Jayne has just completed a Grit programme at Swindon Academy. This is her story.
“I’d had a rough time throughout the [previous] two years and was gradually giving up and disrespecting myself. I’d forgotten how to look at things in a positive way and most of the time I couldn’t really be bothered. Grit sounded like a waste of time.
But suddenly, during the five day intensive, I started feeling alive! And it wasn’t just me. Before my eyes there were young people growing in confidence and opening up - like they’d been reborn.
I realised that I was being too harsh on myself. Grit came at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed by everything but it showed me how to take baby steps forward, how, if I could acknowledge the toxic part of my life, then I could suck the poison out of the apple.
Grit enabled me to really see things from a different angle. Thank you Grit for saving me.”