Abstract:

This presentation will discuss and analyse the possible impact of an early intervention “by inspiration” that can encourage young women from deprived socio-economic areas in central Manchester, UK to consider applying to University.
The talk will describe the case study of an annual event called “Inspiring Women’s Conference” that focus on 150 young girls from five different high schools. The schools are in severely deprived areas of Manchester. Unemployment rates are high, there is a large proportion on immigrants and a high portion on state benefits. Many of the girls come from unstable and broken homes and several are young carers and, in some instances, need to help to provide income to the household.
The talk will share the practical steps in organising an “Inspiration day”, but will focus on the “transferable skills” or “lack of transferable skills” exhibited in these girls.
The talk will share findings of how a specific session/workshop was created and delivered during the day, helping the young girls to understand what transferable skills are, but most importantly why they are important and how they can gain these skills.
The talk will share the final output of the sessions, including the girls main take away and learnings on how they can continue to build transferable skills and practise those. The talk will also share a clear next step for how the University of Manchester (UoM) continue to support these girls beyond the day by offering engagement in the Manchester Access Program (MAP). MAP is a program for underprivileged students, that will be given a personal tutor supporting them in producing an academic style essay, which in turn will count towards credits applying for a place at University of Manchester.
The talk will enhance your understanding of how to support underprivileged potential students with focus on young women. It will focus on breaking down barriers to learning by building transferable skills and create an inclusive environment.

Keywords:

Inclusion, transferable skills, empower, women, social gap.