Edge Hill Makes the Connection

A pioneering Edge Hill project has celebrated its first birthday with the message ? 'here?s to the future?!

CONNECT was launched in 2004 in collaboration with Aimhigher ? a Government scheme designed to promote higher education to those who would not normally consider it.

The highly unique project ? one of only two of such scale in the country ? enables students to get the most out of their higher education experience regardless of age, race, disability or sexuality.

CONNECT Co-ordinator Mark Lovelady said: "Social exclusion is a very real issue in modern society and the project has brought staff and students together from all backgrounds through mentoring schemes and a wide range of other inclusive activities.

"CONNECT has come a long way in the last year ? we have recruited 20 members from across Edge Hill and organised countless events in conjunction with local partner organisations ? and I sincerely hope many more people will benefit from the project in the future."

Nick Allam is one such student to have already benefited from the scheme after linking up with fellow CONNECT member Amelia Bell.

"Before CONNECT I didn?t really have much of a social life but ever since the scheme started I have been able and willing to do much more," he said. "Without the CONNECT project?s support I do not think that I would have done half the amount of reading or got out socially. I think CONNECT is a very good scheme, not just for me, but for other students who do not have much of a social life outside college ? and I'd definitely recommend it to other people."

Picture: CONNECT members Nick Allam and Amelia Bell (centre) celebrate the project?s birthday with (l-r) Edge Hill?s Director for Students and External Relations, Nick?s Learning Facilitator Ann Foster, Co-ordinator Mark Lovelady and Head of Student Recruitment & Widening Participation Anne Richards.