Staff from Kent and Medway Progression Federation (KMPF) are celebrating after its flagship outreach programme, Future You, has been awarded the NEON Widening Access Initiative (Outreach) Award. The recognition was announced yesterday [December 2, 2024] at the NEON Awards ceremony, held at the Palace of Westminster and hosted by Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Matt Western MP.
Launched in 2017, Future You is specifically designed for Further Education (FE) colleges in Kent and Medway. It tackles barriers that often prevent FE students from considering higher education (HE) by equipping them with self-awareness, knowledge, and confidence to make informed decisions about their futures.
Future You was developed in collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Kent, the University for Creative Arts, EKC Group, and MidKent College, the programme delivers six interlinked sessions that help students reframe their perceptions of HE and their potential. Its measurable impact has been transformational. According to the 2022/23 FE Evaluation Report, 85% of participating students reported increased awareness of HE, and 50% felt encouraged to apply to university.
KMPF Hub Manager, Gavin Delf, expressed his pride in the programme’s success:
“‘Future You’ has truly changed the lives of many FE students, inspiring them to see higher education as a viable and achievable option. Winning this award is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of our partners who strive to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Joni Chase, Future You Programme Manager added, “I’d like to thank everyone involved for their energy, dedication and belief in the programme. From the KMPF staff and extended team of contributors, delivery partners, student ambassadors, champions and FE colleges, without whom our work simply wouldn’t be possible.”
Since its inception, Future You has engaged over 3,800 students across colleges, schools, and community settings. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting increased confidence and clarity in their educational and career goals. A Canterbury College student noted, “The whole course has made me think more about everything, and I am a lot more focused on life now.”
The NEON Awards celebrate outstanding initiatives in widening access to HE, and the win cements Future You’s status as a leading outreach programme nationally.