Regional Access Partnership Leaders Meet at the University of Hull to Shape the Future of Collaborative Outreach
Senior leaders from across East and North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire came together at the University of Hull on 23 September to explore how regional partnerships can work together to strengthen access to higher education and create greater opportunities for learners across the region
The meeting brought together chairs and partnership leads from the three existing collaborative outreach partnerships that will play a key role in the transition to Regional Access Partnerships (RAPs).
Hosted at the University of Hull, attendees included Professor John Craig, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education), and Naomi Prendergast, Head of Collaborative Access and Outreach, representing the Humber Outreach Programme (HOP); Rt Revd Paul Ferguson and Louisa Dobson from York St John University's Inspiring Choices partnership; and Dr Claire Thomson. Executive Dean for Learning, Teaching and Student Success, and John Herbert from Lincoln Bishop University and LiNCHigher.
The meeting focused on a shared ambition: ensuring that the expertise, evidence, relationships and collaborative infrastructure developed through Uni Connect are retained and built upon as Regional Access Partnerships are established. Leaders discussed future governance arrangements, regional coordination, sustainability, policy influence and opportunities for collaboration at scale across neighbouring RAPs.
A significant outcome of the discussion was a commitment to explore a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the partnerships and to develop a collective programme of work. Proposed priorities include creating a shared Theory of Change and Impact Framework, producing a regional access and participation insight report, developing joint evaluation activity, strengthening evidence-sharing arrangements, and identifying collaborative delivery projects that will support learners across the wider region.
The gathering reinforced a strong shared commitment to ensuring that the transition to RAPs builds on the success of existing partnerships and continues to place collaboration, evidence-led practice and equality of opportunity at the heart of regional activity. With a joint leadership approach now emerging, partners are well placed to influence national discussions and create sustainable, impactful support for future generations of learners.
For more information contact us on- hop.info@hull.ac.uk