South Yorkshire Girls Embark on SHE Can
Over forty young women from across South Yorkshire have embarked on a six-month motivational initiative to increase their confidence and aspirations.
The SHE Can project, which has been developed by HeppSY+, is an opportunity for young women from four schools in the region to explore higher education opportunities whilst taking part in activities that aim to increase confidence and resilience.
The programme targets students who have the ability to study at a higher level but are most at risk of missing out.
The project launched on Wednesday 13th February with a welcome session for students and parents at the University of Sheffield’s iconic Diamond Building. Attendees enjoyed an introduction from project lead and Schools Programme Manager Joanne Slater, followed by a motivational talk from Ashleigh Porter-Exley.
Ashleigh won the final series of the BBC1 show the Young Apprentice and has recently been named as a Queens young leader and Apprenticeship & Enterprise Ambassador for the UK. Through her work Ashleigh hopes to show students that its ambition combined with drive that gets you places. She didn’t achieve A* at school nor does she come from a wealthy background yet has gone on to achieve great things so far!
Over the next six months the students engaged will take part in a range of activities, including:
- An arts workshop at Sheffield Hallam University
- A full day workshop around communication and oracy skills provided by Talk the Talk
- A day trip to the University of Manchester
- A performing arts workshop at the Urdang Academy
- Mentoring sessions with the HeppSY+ graduate interns
- Careers guidance with the HeppSY+ Higher Education Progression Advisers
- Motivational talks from alumni from their current schools
The programme will culminate with a graduation event in July at Sheffield Hallam University, where the students will deliver a presentation summing up their experience.
