National Aimhigher collaborative work

MPs from all major parties attend reception for Aimhigher programme
On Tuesday 7th September, over 20 MPs drawn from all the major parties attended  the first national Aimhigher Parliamentary reception at Portcullis House, Westminster. Aimhigher is the only national service supporting progression to Higher Education for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dr Graeme Atherton and Dr. Ian Tunbridge from the West Central and North London Partnership and Jo Wiggans of the Greater Manchester Partnership all spoke of how significant the work of Aimhigher is and will continue to be for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially at a time of intense competition for University places. The support and guidance on offer through Aimhigher for  has never been more important

The Reception aimed to show the work that Aimhigher does across the country with thousands of young people, through the nearly 1 million interventions made last year. The MPs had a chance to talk to their local partnerships and hear what was happening in their own constituencies. In total 20 MPs were able to learn about the effect Aimhigher has had on the lives of young people.

Siobhain McDonagh, the sponsoring Labour MP for the Reception, said afterwards; "I was moved and heartened by the testimonies of the young people about the benefits that Aimhigher has given them. This is an initiative that we cannot afford to lose, for their sakes."