
Speech and Language Therapy Student Wins Inspirational Mentor Award
A Wrexham University student has been awarded for her outstanding contribution to widening participation by offering mentorship to school pupils from across Wales.
Rosie Younger, a second-year Speech and Language Therapy student and Student Ambassador, won the Inspirational Mentor Award at the recent Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project event, which took place at the university.
Alongside her studies, Rosie has been mentoring high school students from across Wales as part of three different projects, including Reaching Wider's core mentoring project, the STEM project and young carers project.
Rosie said:
'I feel very honoured to have received the award. I have really enjoyed being a part of the mentoring projects and feel proud to have made a difference to the young people I was supporting.
'The students I supported were from schools all across Wales and were different ages ranging from 14 to 18. I've been involved in three different projects – the core mentoring project, the STEM project and young carers – this one in particular was extremely close to my heart as I'm a carer for my grandmother.'
During the mentoring sessions, Rosie gave young people advice and answered their questions around accessing higher education – as well as working on their study skills, providing advice on managing finances at university and tips on how to deal with stress.
Rosie said:
'Reaching Wider's mentoring projects are hugely important. There are so many different topics you get to touch upon through the various projects they run.
'We never had this when I was in school, so it's a wonderful feeling when you are able to give the advice to young people, that you wish you'd had growing up.'
Amber Percy, Widening Access Coordinator at Wrexham University, said:
'A huge congratulations to Rosie for winning the Inspirational Mentor Award at the Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project event.
'It has been a pleasure working with all the mentors on the project, who work so hard alongside their studies to support future students, Rosie has been inspirational throughout her time on the projects.
'I would also like to congratulate all the other student mentors who were recognised at our recent awards ceremony.'
Discussing the Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project, Amber added:
'The Widening Access team at Wrexham University brings together pupils who have faced significant barriers in their education with opportunities for their future.
'The mentoring programme is one of many ways we work in partnership with Reaching Wider to support and encourage prospective students to make confident decisions that are right for them.
'The mentoring project places Wrexham University students with mentees from a range of local schools to provide advice and guidance, and offer an insight into their routes to higher education. Our mentors at the university are truly inspirational and take pride in their ability to help the students of the future.'
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Business News Wales
22-05-2025
- Business News Wales
Speech and Language Therapy Student Wins Inspirational Mentor Award
A Wrexham University student has been awarded for her outstanding contribution to widening participation by offering mentorship to school pupils from across Wales. Rosie Younger, a second-year Speech and Language Therapy student and Student Ambassador, won the Inspirational Mentor Award at the recent Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project event, which took place at the university. Alongside her studies, Rosie has been mentoring high school students from across Wales as part of three different projects, including Reaching Wider's core mentoring project, the STEM project and young carers project. Rosie said: 'I feel very honoured to have received the award. I have really enjoyed being a part of the mentoring projects and feel proud to have made a difference to the young people I was supporting. 'The students I supported were from schools all across Wales and were different ages ranging from 14 to 18. I've been involved in three different projects – the core mentoring project, the STEM project and young carers – this one in particular was extremely close to my heart as I'm a carer for my grandmother.' During the mentoring sessions, Rosie gave young people advice and answered their questions around accessing higher education – as well as working on their study skills, providing advice on managing finances at university and tips on how to deal with stress. Rosie said: 'Reaching Wider's mentoring projects are hugely important. There are so many different topics you get to touch upon through the various projects they run. 'We never had this when I was in school, so it's a wonderful feeling when you are able to give the advice to young people, that you wish you'd had growing up.' Amber Percy, Widening Access Coordinator at Wrexham University, said: 'A huge congratulations to Rosie for winning the Inspirational Mentor Award at the Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project event. 'It has been a pleasure working with all the mentors on the project, who work so hard alongside their studies to support future students, Rosie has been inspirational throughout her time on the projects. 'I would also like to congratulate all the other student mentors who were recognised at our recent awards ceremony.' Discussing the Reaching Wider National Mentoring Project, Amber added: 'The Widening Access team at Wrexham University brings together pupils who have faced significant barriers in their education with opportunities for their future. 'The mentoring programme is one of many ways we work in partnership with Reaching Wider to support and encourage prospective students to make confident decisions that are right for them. 'The mentoring project places Wrexham University students with mentees from a range of local schools to provide advice and guidance, and offer an insight into their routes to higher education. Our mentors at the university are truly inspirational and take pride in their ability to help the students of the future.'

Leader Live
24-04-2025
- Leader Live
Honorary fellowships awarded by Wrexham University
The university gave the honours to the Wrexham Miners' Project, Lord Barry Jones, and Rachel Clacher CBE during graduation ceremonies last week. The Wrexham Miners' Project received the first collective honorary fellowship from the university, recognising its services to heritage, culture, and the wider community. The project has a strong connection to the region's industrial past, tracing its roots back to the Gresford Colliery Disaster of 1934. The project has transformed the Miners' Rescue Station into a community hub, hosting the developing Miners' Museum, arts initiatives, and learning programmes. Representatives from the Wrexham Miners' Project, including Keith Hett, the last miner from the Bersham pit, attended the ceremony. The project presented the university with a Miners' Safety Lamp, symbolising the rich mining history of the region. Humphrey Ker, patron of the Wrexham Miners' Project and director of Wrexham AFC, said: "On behalf of the Wrexham Miners Project, I'd like to thank Wrexham University for this tremendous honour. "This recognition is not only a tribute to our work, but a celebration of the strong ties between our charity and the university. "We're proud to offer a wide range of volunteering and placement opportunities for students across multiple disciplines, and we're excited to deepen this relationship moving forward." Lord Barry Jones was also honoured for his support of the university and lifelong commitment to public service. Lord Barry Jones(Image: Wrexham University) Lord Jones has a long-standing relationship with the institution, having been the first president of one of the university's predecessor institutions, NEWI, in 2007. He played a key role in the institution being granted university status and became the first chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University. Lord Jones said: "It's a great privilege and an honour to receive a Fellowship from Wrexham University today – an institution, which I have had strong links to for a number of years. "Today, Wrexham University stands ever taller in North East Wales – with its warm-hearted approach that reaches both near and far. "It is an institution that understands that businesses need skills – and is working hard to provide them for our region." The final honorary fellowship was awarded to Rachel Clacher CBE, co-founder of Moneypenny and founder of the charity WeMindTheGap. Rachel Clacher CBE being presented with her Honorary Fellowship (Image: Wrexham University) The charity serves the young people of Wrexham, Flintshire, and Cheshire with holistic programmes that aim to change futures. Ms Clacher said: "I'm truly honoured and delighted to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Wrexham University. "It means so much to be recognised by an institution that sits at the heart of our city—one known for its care, support, and inclusive approach to education, and for offering courses that reflect the realities of today's world. "I'm deeply grateful for all the opportunities Wrexham has given me: from helping me find incredible people to join the Moneypenny team, to providing a welcoming home for our charity. READ MORE: Businesses should have final say on Welsh tourism tax, says Hotel Wrexham owner "Now, I hope to give back by helping bring our city together around bold, brave ambitions for our shared future. "To do that, we'll need radical collaboration—and the university's team has already shown what's possible. "Their work with WeMindTheGap on The Big Conversation about young people is just the beginning. "Who knows where we might go together from here?"


Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh universities 'must work harder' to attract local teenagers
Welsh universities 'must work harder' to attract local teenagers There is "untapped potential " in Wales, warns Wrexham University boss Joe Yates "We need to communicate the benefits of universities," said Professor Joe Yates (Image: Wrexham University ) Welsh universities must do more to attract local teenagers to apply, a university boss has warned. Wales has the lowest rate of 18-year-olds applying to university than any other part of the UK. Professor Joe Yates, Vice Chancellor of Wrexham University, said that's bad for individuals and Wales as a whole. He believes institutions could do more outreach and workshops with schools and colleges to show teenagers the value to them of getting a degree. There is "untapped potential " in Wales, he said. Wrexham University, which already attracts students from backgrounds least likely to go on to higher education, is working more closely with local colleges and recently signed a partnership with Coleg Cambria. "We have a track record on inclusion and a lot of our students come from backgrounds which historically did not go to university," said Professor Yates, "We are in north east Wales and teach the skills north east Wales needs." Wrexham University aims to be a world leading "civic university" Article continues below Private and public sector employers in Wales need skills that universities teach and institutions need to respond and evolve, the Vice Chancellor said. This could mean different courses as well as different ways of delivering those courses. Read more here about how fewer 18-year-olds from Wales apply for university compared with other areas of the UK "We need to communicate the benefits of universities. University is not for everyone and we need a range of skills, but we need to reflect on what we do differently, especially with young people from the least well off backgrounds," said Professor Yates. "I think it's about collaborating across education, business and government about what education offers. It is about showcasing and doing outreach and workshops with schools and colleges. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "There is a huge amount of untapped potential and it is what can we do to unlock that? I would show young people the possibilities they can realise with a degree and what those pathways look like. "Why are we putting a false ceiling on these young people? There is untapped potential and the onus is on us to say what we are going to do differently." The degrees with the highest numbers of applicants at Wrexham University are health and nursing, speech and language and criminology Wrexham is now working more closely with local further education colleges and aims to educate a local workforce that meets the needs of industry and the public sector in Wales. It recently signed a partnership with Coleg Cambria to work together more closely. "Young people in Wales are less likely to go to university than elsewhere in the UK. We need to look at that and think what we need to do differently," said Professor Yates. He pointed out that research shows those with a university degree not only enjoy better pay and job prospects but better health. Universities around Wales, like others across the UK, are facing huge financial pressure with falling numbers of higher paying international students, rising prices and largely static domestic fees. Wrexham and the University of Wales Trinity St Davids, which run more vocational courses, are the only two universities in Wales not to end the last academic year with a deficit. Degrees at Wrexham include courses covering areas such as green energy, manufacturing, business, public services, nursing and healthcare, all of which are skills needed locally. Professor Yates said there are "real world learning opportunities" including simulated wards on site for teaching. "There are a wide range of skills needed in the economy. It is the role of higher education to make sure we are positioned to respond to skills needs - but that should not rule out other disciplines which are not vocational," said Professor Yates. "It is important to see the sector as a whole and we all play a role. We are in the industrial heartlands of north east Wales and respond to that. "All universities really should and do, engage in reviewing their portfolios. For us our new strategy very firmly locates us. Health and nursing, speech and language and criminology - these are the subjects that get the most applicants here. "We really want to play a role delivering the skills the local health boards need." Wrexham university ended the 2023-2024 academic year with a £1.3m operating surplus, but this leaves no room for complacency and financial headwinds are buffeting the whole higher education sector, Professor Yates said. Across Wales universities forecast a combined deficit in Wales of more than £70m at the end of this financial year and that figure could well end up being more. The closure of degrees and entire departments are being proposed as Cardiff University wrestles with a projected £31m+ deficit and hundreds of jobs are earmarked to go. Jobs are also being shed at Bangor University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales. Swansea University is undertaking a curriculum review. Aberystwyth University last year said it was looking at £15m of cuts but did not say how many, if any, jobs would go. While Wrexham is not proposing job losses and did not post a deficit last year Professor Yates warned: "We are not immune to the challenges the sector is facing - universities are facing significant challenges as we move forward in the next couple of years. "The role universities play in developing skills and prosperity is significant. Education is not always linear and we recruit a lot of mature learners. "We want students to go on to employment. I don't think traditional universities are dying out but universities evolve. "Universities adapt to different circumstances. I don't think three-year degree courses are going to end as the preferred option but they could be part of wider provision." Article continues below