SLN Now - Sussex Learning Network

Meet Sian Cannell, the Uni Connect Programme Coordinator at Brighton Metropolitan College

This month we’re finding out more about the work Sian does at Brighton Metropolitan College working in partnership with local charities and community groups.

Tell us about your role at Brighton Metropolitan College?

My role is to inspire futures. I assist students of all ages from underrepresented groups, with a focus on students with SEND. I support them in working towards progression into further and higher education.

How have you developed your work supporting learners with SEND?

I work collaboratively with community groups and charities such as Amaze, supporting young people with SEND aged 14-25. I focus on inspiring them and supporting them into education. Because of my characteristics and the type of person I am, I clearly recognise the need for additional support for young people with SEND. Our work aims to demystify what college and university is. We know there is provision for these young people at college and university but there can be barriers in knowing how to access information and understanding what is needed to progress.

How did your work with other organisations develop?

Through networking and my volunteering. I have a supportive manager who allows us to work collaboratively and be community minded. Brighton is a small city which gives us the ability to be interconnected with a range of different organisations working together to provide tailored support and progression information for young people. Working together provides more opportunities for the young people who need support.

We’ve heard really great things about the communications you send out to learners, how do you create them?

I am a neurodiverse person and I have a lived experience of being a student through different stages of life. I understand accessibility and the necessity for clear and concise information in different formats. I am hyperfunctioning and because I am passionate about my role I am always upskilling to try and find out more and do more. Previously, I worked alongside the marketing team at Goldsmiths University, and I learnt a lot about keeping comms accessible, relevant and exciting. For example, how you captivate people in the first sentence or in the subject line.

I make sure to tailor comms for the audience and where possible I work with the learners that the information is aimed at. For our upcoming S’Koolfest (find out more here) we have a young person designing the posters and infographics for the event. I always try to make sure registration for events is easy. My aim is to alleviate stress and make things as straight forward as possible. For example, I won’t just use QR codes to register for an event, I would have an option that simply says ‘reply to this email’.

Our target groups don’t necessarily have phones that work for QR codes, and we don’t want to create additional steps which might create a barrier for a young person attending. The key is to be clear on your target group. It’s about making things as accessible as possible to ensure people can find the information that they need.

What impact is your work having on the young people you work with?

Some of the biggest success you can see and that has an immediate impact is when you’ve delivered a session about higher education to learners who never thought they could get into university and throughout the session they have discovered progression is possible for them. One of the students we worked with went on to have a local exhibition of their artwork and through that was offered a place on a course at the University of Brighton. We see the impact of our work as we watch the young people we have worked with progress in education and employment.

Where can people find out more?

Amaze – www.amazesussex.org.uk

Return