Sometimes, it is the simplest interventions which make the biggest difference.
When First Star Scholars requested £8,970 to invest in laptops, it was for a very specific purpose. The laptops would be distributed to 30 care-experienced and disadvantaged young people to enable them to join a University Aspiration Project on which they would be supported in accessing higher education. As well as the crucial aspect of allowing them to study effectively with the digital tools now so necessary for school life, they were also able to join virtual enrichment sessions. The wider project included mentorship, exposure to university life and structured workshops which were all designed to foster resilience, confidence, and aspiration.
Among the happy, unexpected outcomes of the project, several students reported increased confidence in digital literacy which extended well beyond academic use into creative and social domains.
The short-term impact was evident: the young people were instantly more engaged with their studies. Longer term, the participants are now more likely to consider and pursue higher education, and the project has informed regional best practice for digital inclusion in care settings.
