Successful autumn for Realise project

Young people from Hackney, Enfield, Norfolk, Northampton, Suffolk, Ealing, Haringey, Essex, Ilford, Hillingdon, Lambeth, Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth, Croydon, Cambridgeshire, North Yorkshire, Brent and Bromley came to Cambridge to find out more about higher education and to be inspired by lectures, talks and workshops.  Realise events take place throughout the year but a special programme is created to make the most of the half-term holiday.

Highlights this October included:

*       Writing a collective poem in response to an Impressionist painting at Creative Writing Challenge at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
*       Hearing all about Higher Education at the University Taster Day, including the application process, finances, Care Leaver support, and post-university careers.
*       Learning about the breadth of careers in museums at the Work Experience Taster Day at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
*       Designing and promoting an app for Dragon's Den at Entrepreneur for the Day.
*       Discovering ancient punishments from Horrible Histories star David Ward, and hearing children's author Caroline Lawrence's top 12 top tips for creative writing at the Children's Classics Festival.
*       Stargazing at the Institute of Astronomy.

Also in October, foster carers and professionals were welcomed to Jesus College for an Insight Day. "We wanted this to be an opportunity to discuss best practice in supporting care leavers into university, and for encouraging one another in our work with young people in care," explains Claire Gardner, who co-ordinates the Realise programme on behalf of the University.

Each Realise event is hosted by a Cambridge College so that the young people can experience a taste of undergraduate life.

"I really enjoyed looking at the rooms you'd live in as a student here," said Esther, who saw behind the scenes at Christ's College as part of the Creative Writing Challenge. "You don't have to share, which is good, as you might not connect with a room-mate."

The chance to speak to current undergraduates is also an important part of the Realise programme. Ed, JCR Access Officer at Churchill, helped out with the University Taster Day hosted at his College. He led a tour of Churchill and answered questions about how he chose his course and what he does with his time while at university.

"I hope I've shown that Churchill is a friendly and accessible college," Ed said. "I'd love them to be thinking about Cambridge as a possibility by the end of the Taster Day, but also understanding that Cambridge is only one of many higher education choices that are available."

Themed to reflect different interests, each Realise Day offers a sample lecture by a university academic.

The Taster Day included a lecture by PhD student Stephen Harrison on representations of kingship in the Achaemenid Empire, including the opportunity to reflect critically on Gerard Butler's performance as King Leonidas in 300, and a discussion of the maths of probability, Sudoku, and double-yolked eggs by Professor David Spiegelhalter, Winston Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk.

"This isn't a very typical maths lecture," the Professor admitted, after showing a short clip of his hands-on attempt to evaluate the risk of being knocked out at an early stage of Total Wipeout.

"That lecture was the highlight!" said Amina, who is aiming to become a barrister. "I've got plans to go to uni - and this morning's talks have made me want to come even more."

"The support available to care leavers is amazing. Cambridge is my first choice, and it feels like it is possible - everyone can do it if they work hard and work smart," Amina added.

Good information, advice and guidance is important for all young people when considering their futures, and can be especially valuable for young people in care. To help make the picture a little clearer, workshops on student finance, careers, and support for Care Leavers in higher education are delivered by university staff.

"Today has shown the different opportunities open to kids in care," said Josh, who came from Wandsworth to take part in Entrepreneur for the Day. "The workshops were excellent. They showed the opportunities you could experience in the future."

"I found out a lot about how universities function," said Ryanne, who also attended Entrepreneur for the Day. "I have a better knowledge of what you need to go to university and the financial support available to me."

Realise also works closely with the university's faculties, schools, and museums in order to demonstrate the academic resources available to undergraduates.  The young Entrepreneurs enjoyed a tour of the Judge Cambridge Business School, while for the Creative Writing Challenge, Lucy, Sessional Gallery Educator and Arts Award Co-ordinator for the Fitzwilliam Museum, led a workshop in the Impressionist Gallery.

"Realise is a great example of the way we work in partnership with the Cambridge Admissions Office," Lucy said. "The work that we do with Realise allows young people to engage with our collection in a fun and engaging way."

"It was fantastic to see so many young people engaging with the variety of activities offered, and feeling comfortable in a university environment," Claire said.

"Our aim is to inspire young people in care to realise their potential academically and also more broadly. To speak to students who are now intent on applying to university as the result of visiting the University of Cambridge is fantastic."

Realise in Numbers: October half-term

• 1 dragon pitched to
• 2 poems written
• 5 'buddies' welcomed
• 7 events for young people held
• 15 social workers, education professionals and foster carers encouraged
• 21 Local Authorities represented.
• 53 accompanying adults advised
• 84 participants inspired and informed