Community - IntoUniversity
Universities are often unable to financially support projects outside of core learning, but thanks to the incredible generosity of our friends, we are able to fund programmes that enrich the student experience and benefit the local communities.
IntoUniversity
In June 2022, we announced our partnership with the University of Manchester and IntoUniversity, a national charity which helps to transform the lives and aspirations of young people through local learning centres, to establish a new centre in the heart of Salford.
Education has the power to transform the lives of young people, and with philanthropic support we knew we could help to break the cycle of many people living in poverty in Salford, facing poor educational prospects, and high levels of unemployment.
Salford is the 18th most deprived of England's 317 local authorities; 30% of the population are residing in a highly deprived area; 34.8% of children are living in poverty, compared to 31% across the UK; and only 21.1% progress to higher education compared to 43% nationally.
We are, therefore, extremely proud of this collaboration to establish the inaugural IntoUniversity Salford Centre, which will support 1,000 young people aged 7-18 every year, working closely with local schools and families to encourage aspiration from a young age.
The Beacon Centre
Salford's IntoUniversity Centre opened in October 2022 and is located in the Beacon Centre, adding to the existing youth and community services provided there by organisations including Salford Youth Service, Early Break, 42nd Street, Salford Community Leisure, and Foundation 92.
Our Commitment
"We are proud to make a major contribution to providing access to higher education across Salford, the North West and nationally.
“I am delighted to support the launch of a new IntoUniversity right here on our doorstep in Salford. The new centre will engage traditionally under-represented groups and aid our mission to give all students the best possible opportunity in life to succeed.”
Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford#
Our Donors
We are honoured to have partnered with leading businesses and individuals across the North West who have pledged their money and support of the Salford IntoUniversity Centre.
Our donors include the Morson Group, Rolls-Royce SMR, BNY Mellon, and Cisco - also acting as the lead technology partner - alongside a Salford alumnus and Senior Partner at Hg, while Peninsula will provide pro-bono services to IntoUniversity.
The Salford Centre would not have been possible without its valued donors who have united in their shared value of giving young people the best start in life. In addition to financially funding the Centre, many of our partners will also volunteer their time to support Business in FOCUS and mentoring programmes.