Community Exe project supported by the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust donation

The University of Exeter has received a generous donation from the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust (ALMT) which was set up by Exeter alumnus Nick Lawson (Economic and Social History, 1994). This philanthropic support will assist with funding our Community Exe project which looks to raise aspirations for boys in the Southwest.

Many children are growing up without vital support and encouragement to pursue a university education, believing that university is simply not an option for them. For instance, only 29% of the most disadvantaged school children attend university, compared to the national average of 46%. And when looking at boys’ attainment and the Southwest region, the problem comes into sharper focus as white males from the lowest socioeconomic backgrounds are the least likely group to access higher education. The University of Exeter is home to the UK’s only University Centre for Social Mobility dedicated to improving social mobility through evidence-informed practice and policy. Informed by recent evidence, Community Exe is a unique early intervention for 100 boys in the Southwest from year 9, using a schedule of bespoke activities to increase higher education ambition, and access, for this group.

Support from ALMT will facilitate a pilot phase of the programme from September 2024 – September 2026. The programme will see participants develop transferable skills and behaviours which will have a positive impact on their achievement at school and in their personal lives. 

Speaking about the Trust’s support, Director of ALMT, Rebecca Pirt, said: “The ALMT is passionate about improving social mobility and increasing young people’s access to opportunities. We are delighted to be able to support this innovative project from the University of Exeter.” 

The programme will be led by Nicola Sinclair (Co-Director of the Centre for Social Mobility and Head of Access, Participation and Outreach) and Melissa Ruddock (Widening Participation Manager). Community Exe will seek to address gender imbalance within our well established Exeter Scholar’s programme which gives students the opportunity to find out more about university, develop a passion for a chosen subject, and gain first-hand experience of student life at Exeter. 

Melissa said: “Community Exe will provide a unique opportunity to apply tried and tested university approaches to widening access, with opportunities to learn in context more often associated with youth work. 

“The cocreation of content with prominent Community Partners and Community Champions will allow participants to pursue interests in Sport, Youth Leadership, Artificial Intelligence & Technology and Music & Communication alongside finding out more about the research and teaching undertaken by the University of Exeter. 

“We’re really excited to pilot what represents a unique approach to working with this group of young people and as well as broadening their access to positive role models we are also looking forward to hearing more from them about what they need to learn.”   

ALMT and its donors will be informed of the positive difference they’re having on young lives and there will be opportunities to visit Streatham Campus and meet with the participants themselves to hear firsthand about the programme’s impact. 

Founder of ALMT, Nick Lawson said: “I am excited that the ALMT is supporting Community Exe and can’t wait to hear how the project evolves. It is fantastic that the University of Exeter is taking a lead in this important area of work, and I hope this project will have a wide impact on young people’s aspirations both now and in the future.”