Introducing AccessHE’s new Uni Connect Schools Officer

Having recently announced Sia as our new Uni Connect Officer here, AccessHE is delighted to welcome another new addition to its team: Ella Simms, who joined in September as Uni Connect Schools Officer.

Ella is a trainer, presenter and theatremaker who has worked in personal development for 7 years, spending most of this time working with youth training provider Future Foundations. 2019 marked her 5^th year working on the Global Social Leaders World Summit and her first time in the role of Co-Course Director, a new position to model innovative leadership. 80 young people from around the world spent two weeks on an intensive leadership programme and will be developing social action projects in their local communities as part of the Global Social Leaders movement.

Ella’s two favourite Global Goals are Gender Equality and Reducing Inequality.

To contribute towards Gender Equality, Ella is developing a resource online for schools and businesses developed to empower women and girls through improvised theatre. Improv helps us to take up space, to trust ourselves, to share and build community. It also develops skills and characteristics that have been identified as lacking by universities and employers, such as risk-taking and resilience. ‘Sister Improv Society’ on YouTube will share how-to videos as well as classes that can be copied by anyone who wants to start their own society, for free.

To work towards Reducing Inequality, Ella is excited to work closely with students across Barking, Dagenham and Havering as Uni Connect Schools Officer. She looks forward to developing engaging content and creating fun and safe spaces that allow the young people to reflect, explore their aspirations, identify their personal obstacles and to feel motivated to attain a future that excites them.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the London Uni Connect can do so here or by contacting Richard.boffey@londonhigher.ac.uk.