Keeping on keeping on
Dear all,
There is a lot going on right now. Yes, I mean that it’s a busy term for us as you’ll see below but I also mean that there’s A LOT going on right now in the world. It’s hard to hold on to an optimistic view yet, as one of our university partners so wisely advised me, “stay strong – we need to hold tight to who we are and what we know people can be at their best.”
On that note, I have been so energised this month from having first-hand experience with staff and students around our education programmes. I had the privilege of observing a workshop at Liverpool John Moore’s University – working with students across the year groups in Arts & Humanities courses – I was struck by the bravery it takes to actually go to university for many students. Having navigated their own anxieties, experiences of isolation exacerbated by Covid, some moving from country to country - it brought home the huge leap of faith it then takes to sign up for a course of study in a new city, starting again and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones once more. These young people are amazing! Their support of each other and their commitment to getting the most from university life. Their willingness to be challenged to take up every opportunity, it really was an inspiration.
Secondly (as below) my experience in the North East (a part of the country that is always close to my heart for the warmth I experience from people every time I go there) at the HEAT conference was just as uplifting. Working with Teachers, Advisors and Support Workers in two short workshop sessions, it was humbling to hear first-hand the challenges staff are facing, but also their resilience in being willing to develop new ways to approach those challenges and have the tenacity to fulfil on their commitment to their learners.
So staying connected to my sense of purpose has really helped this month. Wherever you are and however you are navigating these times, I hope you are able to stay connected too. And please do keep in touch with us with your ideas, thoughts and feedback as always.
Ellie
Champions Coffee
Just released on Spotify (or other podcast platform of your choice): Ellie on the Champions Coffee podcast - a series of 10-15 minute live virtual conversations (with virtual coffee) with leading industry professionals in the education or student success space.
From gangs to undergraduates, engaging students, feedback and growing the learning - listen here.
What students say
It’s been a busy month on Grit’s LinkedIn feed.
We had Kobby from Nottingham Trent University describing the tenacity, resilience and determination that Grit’s Black Leaders Programme enabled him to find: “I realised that I had the power go out and get it, to go and achieve what it is I want to achieve.”
Nana from the University of Nottingham talks about a “two-day programme that was truly life changing. I feel empowered to pursue any goal, with the mindset that no challenge is out of reach. This experience also connected me with incredible individuals and friends for life.”
Postgraduate Salma from Liverpool John Moore’s University took part in a Grit programme as part of the EDEPI Project, where Grit is partnering with three universities to tackle systemic inequality for racialised groups in doctoral education. She describes “the support, insights, and sense of community shared truly made this workshop unforgettable.”
And Thelma from Sheffield Hallam University writes about how “it is OKAY to be different, it is OKAY to be a person in a minority group, it is OKAY to be outside the box that society defines ‘norm’ and yesterday Grit reaffirmed why it is OKAY.”
For more of what students say, follow Grit on LinkedIn.
Tough and uncompromising
This just out in Social Work Today: Grit’s “tough and uncompromising training is capable of transforming social work culture”. In the article, independent evaluators talk about how Grit can achieve systemic or cultural change.
The HEAT is on
Ellie has been leading some workshops at the HEAT (Higher Education Advisors and Teachers) conference 2024 at Newcastle University. With over 100 staff from a range of roles across schools, virtual schools, colleges, Uni Connect partnerships and universities, it was a fantastic day. “Delegates had some real insights and were just a joy to work with, I wish I'd had longer!”
And next month Ellie is speaking at the Westminster Higher Education Forum policy conference – a cross party event on “Next Steps for Improving Student Mental Health in Higher Education”, and featuring policymakers and advisors from across government.