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theaccessproject.org.uk
The Access Project
@theaccessproject.org.uk
170 followers 130 following 210 posts
Education charity supporting under-resourced young people to access top universities and achieve social mobility 💚 theaccessproject.org.uk
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theaccessproject.org.uk
Can we write to you? ✍️

Find volunteering opportunities, fundraisers, success stories and more in our quarterly supporters' newsletter 🗞️

Join our mailing list 🔗 https://loom.ly/aF6RgJ8
Student at The Access Project holding an envelope. Text reads: Let's be pen pals. Sign up to our quarterly newsletter. Theaccessproject.org.uk
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Alicia joined The Access Project during a difficult time in her life.

With help from her mentors, Alicia is growing her academic skills and unlocking her potential - learning how to thrive in education and beyond. 👏

#SocialMobility #HigherEducation
Alicia, Year 13 student at The Access Project. Text reads: I was going through a really tough time at the start of Year 12. My mum was just going into remission from cancer, and I had moved to a new place of education where I didn't know many people and struggled to adapt... The Access Project helped me manage these challenges and guided me on how to organise my time and make beneficial decisions for my future.
January 7, 2026 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Looking to give back to a good cause in 2026? Start a fundraiser for The Access Project to help a young person get the education they deserve 💚

Run a marathon, sell baked treats, or take on a sponsored silence - the choice is yours!

Get started with your fundraising kit 🔗 https://loom.ly/spnm9DA
Benjamin Rose running a marathon to raise money for The Access Project. Text reads: A resolution worth keeping. Fundraise for The Access Project in 2026 and you'll help young people break barriers to education. Download your fundraising pack to get started!
January 5, 2026 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Merry Christmas from everybody at The Access Project! 🎄❄️💚
Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. Text reads: Merry Christmas from everybody at The Access Project.
December 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
We're taking a short break for the winter holidays ❄️

Our offices will be closed from 23 December - 1 January.

Sending festive wishes to all of our followers and supporters - and enormous thanks for championing our mission all year round. We'll see you in 2026! 💚
Close up of pine tree needles. The Access Project logo. Text reads: Winter Closure, 23 December - 1 January. See you in 2026!
December 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Karim* joined The Access Project in Year 12 with big dreams of going to university. After struggling with his first personal statement, he's now developing skills to enhance his university application - and is ready to take his next steps into higher education.

#SocialMobility #HigherEducation
Background shows students listening to a talk in a university lecture theatre. Text reads: I am dyslexic, so I struggled to write my first personal statement draft. i did not know how to structure my sentences or write in an academic way. Consistent support from my University Access Officer has taught me not only how to write a personal statement, but develop the skills that will support me while I am at university. - Karim, Year 13 student at The Access Project
December 16, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Real people, real impact.

Tahmid was one of the first students to join The Access Project. Now, he's one of our Trustees - guiding the organisation as we aspire to help more under-resourced young people reach their potential.

💬 "There's no way I'd be where I am today without The Access Project"
Inset portrait of Tahmid Chowdhury, Trustee and former student at The Access Project. Text reads: "“There’s no way I’d be where I am today without The Access Project, and I think that’s true for a lot of kids who benefit from their work. Above all, the charity gives hope. That means everything to a 16-year-old council estate lad like I was, who knows that the odds are stacked against him.”
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Chag sameach to all of our Jewish students celebrating Hanukkah! 🕯️✨

#HappyHanukkah #Hanukkah
Golden menorah with 9 lit candles. Text reads: Happy Hanukkah from everybody at The Access Project.
December 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Staff from across the organisation got together last week for our first full meeting of the academic year.

Trustee Mike Crowhurst joined us to discuss higher education, and CEO Anna Searle encouraged staff to reflect on our achievements. Thanks to everyone for taking part and providing the bakes!
A large digital sign in the Canopi office lobby displays the logo of The Access Project and the message: “Welcome to The Access Project - ACCESS CONNECT - in the Boardroom 5 December 2025.” The sign stands beside a turnstile and a small directional sign pointing toward the event. Plants and modern office furnishings are visible in the background. Trustee Mike Crowhurst stands beside a large screen displaying a line graph depicting data on access to top universities for under-resourced young people. The Canopi office meeting room is modern. Mike stands behind a table containing a lap top, with two chairs behind it. Next to Mike is a pull up banner promoting the work of The Access Project. A flip chart contains numerous coloured post it notes, all displaying messages from staff at The Access Project about their proudest achievements so far this academic year. A large modern office table is laden with baked goods for The Access Project's bake off competition. You can see the lower half of a number of staff who are patiently waiting to tuck into the bakes.
December 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Huge thanks to the Knowledge Exchange Group and Westminster Insights for hosting us at the Rethinking Social Mobility Conference earlier this month. It was wonderful to connect with colleagues passionate about social change - we look forward to working with you in 2026!

#SocialMobility
December 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
The total is in... 🥁

You raised £11,808 for our #BigGiveChristmasChallenge! 🥳

All of your donations will support young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to grow their skills, access high quality education, and build brighter futures. Thank you for your support! 💚✨💚
Collection of portraits showing students from The Access Project. Text reads: You raised... £11,808 - Thanks for supporting our Big Give Christmas Challenge!
December 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
theaccessproject.org.uk
🚨 24 HOURS LEFT for the #BigGiveChristmasChallenge! 🚨

Last chance to DOUBLE your impact - at no extra cost to you.

Donate before 12pm tomorrow and you'll help us give even more young people access to the quality education they deserve.

Make a donation 🔗 https://loom.ly/DG0NakI
Text reads: 24 hours to go! Support the Big Christmas Challenge by 12pm on 9 December
December 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
📢 EXCITING NEWS for our #BigGiveChristmasChallenge! 📢

Double donations are BACK!

Donate before 12pm on 9 December to boost your gift - and you'll help us give even more young people access to the quality education they deserve.

Make a donation 🔗 https://loom.ly/DG0NakI
Bar chart showing progress towards Big Give total of £10,250. Text reads: Double donations are back. Help us reach our stretch goal before 9 December. Two female students at The Access Project. Text reads: One donation. Twice the impact. When you gift £25, your donation is doubled to £50 to support young people to break barriers to education.
December 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
theaccessproject.org.uk
In 2024, 81% of students taking part in our #WideningParticipation programme received an offer from a top university, compared to just 49% of statistically similar students.

When you support The Access Project, you're helping young people facing disadvantage to overcome beat the odds ✨
Male student at The Access Project. Text reads: 81% of our students received an offer from a top university.
December 5, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
👏 YOU DID IT! 👏

Three days in and we've already smashed our target for the #BigGivingChristmasChallenge! A massive thank you to everybody who has donated so far 💚

You can still make a difference - keep the donations going to support even more young people in education 🔗 https://loom.ly/DG0NakI
Meter displaying £0 at one end, £4,500 at the other end. Arrow is pointing to £4,500 mark. Text reads: You did it! We've hit our goal - but you can still donate to make a difference! Donate to the Big Give Christmas Challenge before 12pm on 9 December.
December 4, 2025 at 8:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
🚨 BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE! 🎁

From 12pm today until 9 December, all donations to our Christmas campaign will be doubled by our match-funders - which means every penny you give will have twice the impact for the young people we work with.

Please give generously 💚

#GivingTuesday #BigGive
Two students at The Access Project, smiling. Graphic shows a progress bar tracking donations on a scale of £0 to £4,500. Meter is pointing at 0. Text reads: Take on the Big Give Christmas Challenge! Help us reach our goal before 9 December. Two students holding results on A level results day. Text reads: One donation. Twice the impact. When you gift £25, your donation is doubled to £50 to support young people to break barriers to education.
December 2, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
By giving to The Access Project this Christmas, you can help young people like Patrice to build brighter futures.

Support our Big Give Christmas Challenge between 2 December - 9 December to double your donation at no extra cost to you ✨

Make a donation 🔗 https://loom.ly/DG0NakI
Patrice, student at The Access Project. Text reads: Patrice could become a doctor. Your support will help him get there.
December 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Yesterday, we visited Parliament with the Fair Access Coalition to explore how we can achieve the national ambition for two thirds of young people to progress to higher learning.

We're pleased to be surrounded by colleagues passionate about creating a fairer future, for everyone.
Large group of colleagues from the Fair Access Coalition Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Clock Tower in London, United Kingdom. Fair Access Coalition and The Access Project logos. Group of colleagues from the Fair Access Coalition Group of colleagues from the Fair Access Coalition featuring The Access Project CEO Anna Searle (right)
November 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Building confidence for brighter futures 💪

Empowering young people is at the heart of our mission. We work with students like Finlay to grow their skills, achieve in education, and take control of their futures to achieve social mobility.

#Education #SocialMobility
Background shows students in an assembly writing on worksheets. Text reads: The Access Project has allowed me to become more confident in myself and it has allowed me to make stronger connections with my peers" - Finlay, Year 11 student at The Access Project
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
What an honour to attend the 2025 Director of the Year Awards 🏆

We were delighted to attend the awards as this year's charity partner. Congratulations to all of the winners - and thanks once again to the Institute of Directors for supporting our mission and our young people 💚
Dining hall at The Grand Hotel Birmingham hosting the Institute of Directors Director of the Year Awards 2025. Tahmid Chowdhury and Anna Searle on stage at the Institute of Directors Director of the Year Awards 2025. Anna is stood at a podium and addressing the crowd. Director of the Year Awards 2025 programme booklet showing The Access Project's logo amongst other parther logos. Text reads: A celebration of leadership talent, success and achievement Tahmid Chowdhury addressing the crowd at the Director of the Year Awards 2025
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Take on the #BigGive Christmas Challenge with The Access Project! 🎁

From 2 December - 9 December, all donations to our Christmas Challenge will be matched by our generous fundraising champions. One donation, twice the impact.

Set your reminders and give back to a good cause this winter 💚❄️
Two female students at The Access Project, smiling. Text reads: One donation. Twice the impact. We're taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Tuesday 2 December - Tuesday 9 December. The Access Project logo, Fundraising regulator logo, Big Give Christmas Challenge logo.
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
🩷💚 How wonderful to see Cynthia Erivo return to La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School last week! We're lucky to have La Retraite on board as one of our partners - and it's delightful to work with talented students every day.

#WickedForGood

https://loom.ly/mGeGp-w
Alumni Cynthia Erivo Visits La Retraite
We were thrilled to welcome Cynthia Erivo, one of our talented alumni, back to La Retraite to perform the new Wicked Movie song 'For Good' with our choir. Her visit was a truly inspiring experience for our students, highlighting the importance of resilience, creativity, and self-belief.
www.laretraite.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
📈 Two thirds of students are working alongside their studies to cover basic costs, says @hepi-news.bsky.social @unilancashire.bsky.social

Financial pressure while studying is detrimental to academic success and wellbeing.

Our response 🔗 https://loom.ly/bzWloUE

#HigherEducation #CostOfLiving
Anna Searle, CEO at The Access Project. Text reads: “This report confirms what we see every day at The Access Project: many of our students are forced into term-time work just to make ends meet, and when that work is low paid or insecure, it undermines their academic performance and wellbeing. It is not enough to support widening participation and access; we must ensure that students who have overcome so many barriers on the way to university get the financial support, advice for employment, and institutional backing they need to succeed.
November 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
Our students are breaking barriers to education 💪

Alisha is a student on our Oxbridge Pathway programme. Working with The Access Project has helped her realise her ambitions and aim for a bright future at a top university.

Read Alisha's story 👉 https://loom.ly/USbrKBE

#SocialMobility
Alisha, Year 13 student at The Access Project. Text reads: There are some opportunities and programmes that I can't do because of geographical and financial limits. As The Access Project is free for us, it’s been really good because it makes me think that I can actually do these things, as opposed to thinking that it’s not for me because I’m not from a certain class or in a certain place in society.
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
theaccessproject.org.uk
The Access Project makes a real difference. Young people on our programme are 50% more likely to progress to top universities, giving them the best chance of achieving social mobility.

Explore our impact 👉 https://loom.ly/SYrNHzo
Divine, student at The Access Project. Text reads: Our students are 50% more likely to attend top universities compared to statistically similar peers.
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 AM