Linking London Uni Connect Update - August 2026

We’re excited to be preparing for another busy year of projects and activities with our colleges and university partners. 

Our Care to Careers & Breaking Barriers projects will begin with care-experienced students and young carers at Havering Sixth Form and Coulsdon College. We’re grateful for the support of the University of Westminster, Middlesex University and UCL, who will be working with us on these projects, and we look forward to sharing updates with partners as they progress. 

We’re also gearing up for the second year of our BTEC Transition Project, continuing to work with the same group of students as they move into their final year of study. The next round of sessions is planned for October, with coordination getting under way as soon as colleges release their timetables for the new academic year. 

Planning is also under way for our next CPD Spotlight, which will focus on young carers, best practice and real-life examples of projects successfully engaging and supporting this underrepresented group. We are currently bringing together speakers and contributors for the session, which will take place on Tuesday 29 September. Further details, including how to register, will be shared shortly. 

Our Kick Start Projects will also continue into the new academic year. NCC Epping and Barnet & Southgate College have both confirmed that they will be taking part again with new cohorts of BTEC Sport students. Over the course of the year, students will participate in a programme of activities designed to support working-class boys to explore, understand and progress into higher education. We’re delighted that UEL, UWL and Middlesex University will continue as university partners on the programme. We’ll also be continuing Kick Start Creative with West Thames College and are pleased to welcome the University of Westminster to the project, joining our existing university partner, the University of Greenwich. 

Finally, we’ve been busy developing our student webinar programme for the next academic year, with a full series of sessions already taking shape. Topics will range from Building Your Own Brand and Entrepreneurial Skills to Is University Worth It?, alongside popular sessions on Apprenticeships and updated guidance on higher education funding and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. 

There’s plenty to look forward to, and we’ll be sharing dates, registration details and further opportunities to get involved throughout the new academic year.