C,CE&ES Group 6: Tuesday 16th March, 11:20 - 11:50

1. 2.13 GO Wales: Achieve through Work Experience
2. 2.14 Caring as an Access, Participation & Inclusion issue
3. 2.15 Shaped by Students: UWE Cares Student Voice

2.13 GO Wales: Achieve through Work Experience 

To what extent does our Mentoring and Work Experience programme enhance employability outcomes for young (under 25) students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds? 

Ros Davies and Louise Wilford, The Open University in Wales 

Click to download 2.13 GO Wales: Achieve through Work Experience (.pptx)

Watch the recorded session - Warning: this video contains content of a sensitive nature that some people may find upsetting

Abstract

The Open University in Wales (OUiW) has accessed ESF funding to support young students (under 25).  The GO Wales: Achieve through Work Experience programme provides face to face employability mentoring and brokers work experience for students who face multiple barriers.  OU students eligible are: 

• From low participation neighbourhoods  
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic students 
• Disabled students, including physical, mental and learning difficulties 
• Care leavers 
• Carers 

This is a well-resourced programme, made possible by ESF funding, which will end in 2022, but does it work?  What is the true value of the programme? What do our students tell us? Do we need more opportunities like this? 

This ten-minute Lightening Talk will give those attending the APS Conference a chance to hear directly from OU students participating in the GO Wales programme.  

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2.14 Caring as an Access, Participation & Inclusion issue

Dr Catherine Pestano, Associate Lecturer, The Open University

Click to download 2.14 Caring as an Access, Participation & Inclusion issue (.pptx)

Watch the recorded session

Abstract

The Carers Week 2020 Research Report notes that the pandemic has created 4.5 million new carers. The OU Student Carer Charter has been launched along with student bursaries. The OU has also been conducting research about students' preferences to access help and support. Learn about what it means for those who study and those who support them. Hear more about national sources of support and what the OU has learnt so far about what students and staff need. Join Associate Lecturer, Carer and care-experienced researcher Catherine Pestano to explore this area affecting so many of us.  C.pestano@open.ac.uk for publications.  

Reference

• Carers UK - Carers Week 2020 Research Report 
• https://www.carersuk.org//for-professionals/policy/policy-library/carers...

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2.15 Shaped by Students: UWE Cares Student Voice  

Steffie Denton, EDI Projects Officer, UWE Cares, and Billy​, student, University of the West of England, (UWE Bristol) 

Click to download 2.15 Shaped by Students: UWE Cares Student Voice (.pptx)

Watch the recorded session

Abstract

• Introduce myself as designated point of contact for care leavers, estranged students and student carers at UWE Bristol 
• The importance of being “shaped by students” – research and the StandAlone pledge 
• What is UWE Cares Student Voice? 
• Carer, Care Leaver and Estranged Students’ top barriers and challenges studying in Higher Education
• “You Said, We Did”: initiatives and developments inspired by students’ recommendations at UWE Bristol. 
• Top Tips: promoting participation, reassuring students, facilitating discussion, communicating progress, and managing expectations where recommendations cannot be progressed. 
• The Student Perspective: Evaluation and feedback about UWE Cares Student Voice events  
• We hope that a student who accesses UWE Cares support will also attend, but this cannot be guaranteed. 

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