Football giants Everton and Liverpool are backing a project to give life-changing educational opportunities for young people in Merseyside.
Everton in the Community and founding partner, the LFC Foundation have teamed up with the Steve Morgan Foundation, the University of Liverpool and the educational charity IntoUniversity to support a £3m Future Goals campaign.
On Tuesday 15 November, IntoUniversity North Liverpool celebrated its fifth anniversary after launching in Anfield in 2017 and has helped thousands of young people from one of the UK’s most disadvantaged areas to fulfil their potential.
The £3m Future Goals campaign will be split equally between funding the North Liverpool centre for a further five years and paying for a second centre to open in Merseyside in 2023 to help even more young people facing disadvantage.
The precise venue for the second centre will be revealed next year but as part of the Future Goals campaign, Everton in the Community, LFC Foundation, Steve Morgan Foundation and the University of Liverpool have all pledged £375,000 in funding over five years, which will be match-funded by IntoUniversity.
IntoUniversity introduces students aged seven and above to higher education via a tailored programme of workshops, out-of-school study, mentoring and one-to-one support.
The centre also equips young people with soft skills, insights into the world of work and opportunities for work experience to improve their chances of going to university, securing an apprenticeship or getting a job.
Liam Eaglestone, Chief Executive of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “One of our main priorities is to improve the life chances of children and young people.
“The programme run by IntoUniversity fits this perfectly in raising educational attainment among children in deprived areas.
“We already work very closely with Everton in the Community and the LFC Foundation and this was the perfect opportunity to bring them together with us, the University of Liverpool and IntoUniversity.”
Sue Gregory, CEO at Everton in the Community, said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with this fantastic group of organisations on what is an important and much-needed project in our region.
“The campaign fits perfectly into our own lifelong learning strategy, and by working with LFC Foundation, Steve Morgan Foundation, the University of Liverpool and IntoUniversity, we can really increase our collective impact on the education inequality gap.
“We’re very much looking forward to getting started on this exciting partnership and seeing the real social contribution we can make together.”
Matt Parish, CEO of the LFC Foundation, said: “When we started our journey with IntoUniversity & the University of Liverpool 5 years ago, our goal was to help young people achieve their goals through greater access to quality education.
“Children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are four times less likely to enter further education.
“Five years on, the partnership has supported over 3,000 young people in Liverpool with 61% of those who have visited the centre progressing on to further education.
“We’re delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation and Everton in the Community have joined the partnership which will only further benefit young people and their families in Liverpool City Region.”
Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education at the University of Liverpool said: “We firmly believe that anyone with the talent to pursue study in higher education should be given the opportunity and encouragement to do so, and we continue to invest more than £10m each year in financial support and outreach activities to young people who would not traditionally consider going to university.
“I’m delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation and Everton in the Community have joined our Future Goals partnership with IntoUniversity and the LFC Foundation to help many more young people across the region to make the most of their talents and abilities.”
You can find out more about the Future Goals Partnership here.
CASE STUDY
Charlie in year 6 (pictured) has been attending IntoUniversity North Liverpool for a year. His older sister Sophie also attends the centre and is on her way to university.
Speaking about his experience at the centre Charlie said:
“One of my favourite things about the centre is how the teachers help you. My big sister also came here and I was like ‘wow I want to come here too’ after I saw how well she’s done after being at the centre.
“Since I’ve been coming to the centre my school work has got better and I’ve been more confident putting my hand up and answering questions.
“One thing I’ve taken away with me my after attending the centre is you should always try your hardest and never give up.”
