Endings and beginnings
This time of year is about endings and beginnings for us at Grit: our financial year end in June has always been a time when we stop, reflect on the year gone by and clarify our focus for the year ahead.
This last year has been extraordinary. We have all had to rethink what life looks like in a fundamental way, an enormously challenging process for many people. It has also (thankfully) been very creative and – at times – life-affirming.
From Grit we’ve seen strength and resilience: agility in converting our university work online; perseverance and commitment by inventing a digital coaching programme to support young people most impacted by the pandemic; and community - connecting and sharing as a team every Monday morning.
But, of course, we have had challenges too: personal losses and grief; frustration at not being able to bring people into a room together at a time when it’s been so needed; and, at times, disconnection and isolation, a feeling that we are working in our own bubbles rather than part of a living, breathing whole organisation.
The assets we have drawn on in ourselves and each other have been so crucial to our experience but so have the challenges – they help us clarify what really matters.
It is important to remain positive right now. The opportunity for change is huge and human beings have shown their compassion and their willingness to take a stand for a different future. You – as our supporters – have shown us that. Thank you for travelling with us on this journey and for your optimism, generosity and courage. You inspire us to keep doing what we do.
Ellie
Grit in the media
“Empowering enlightening, powerful – for me it was a game changer.”
We’ve just posted a new Grit film. This time it’s about our work with Personal Tutors in universities. Check it out here.
Wonkhe, the ‘home of higher education debate,’ has published a Grit blog on our Black Leadership Programme. Co-authored with ex-NTU Students Union VP Afua Acheampong, it tells the story of the Programme’s genesis and the difference it’s been making. Read it here.
And the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), the UK's only independent think tank devoted to higher education, has published a Grit blog too! This one is about our work with Foundation Year students and is co-authored with Sal Jarvis, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Westminster. Find it here.
We’re thrilled to be alongside our friends at Nottingham Trent University in a case study produced by Universities UK. It is part of a series highlighting initiatives that support student wellbeing, transitions and skills development. Take a look.
Taking a Stand
At the end of every Grit programme we ask each participant to tell us what they stand for. This is what some students from the University of Westminster said recently.
