What Next? Network of Hope Event

This week, Dr Irene Rose had the pleasure of welcoming Network of Hope alumni Amber Whitehead, Deputy Programme Leader at Oldham College, and Mary Olanrewaju, CEO and SEN Consultant at Equal Education Chances to our What Next? event at Holy Cross College, Bury.

Amber described her career path, beginning as a Student Support Tutor, then becoming a teacher, and eventually moving into a leadership role. She described how her degree in Special Educational Needs and Education, attained in 2019, helped her to recognise the barriers disabled students encounter in education. This awareness has enabled her to advocate for disabled learners and design a flexible curriculum that supports their success and progression.

In Mary’s talk, titled ‘I Had a Dream’, Mary shared how, as a student, she aspired to establish an international charity to support disabled children in Nigeria. With input from her peers, she chose the name ‘Equal Education Chances’ and in 2017, during her second year at Hope, she brought her vision to life. Mary recounted how the charity initially supported 20 disabled children in their first partner school in Okokomaiko, Lagos. However, she was pleased to share that since then, Equal Education Chances has supported over 1,000 children in Nigeria and the UK. Even more impressively, the organisation has achieved this without any paid staff – only dedicated volunteers.

EEC is always grateful for any donations of disability equipment, laptops or computers. For more details please visit equaleducationchances.org

Students were enthused and inspired by the speakers, gaining insight into different career paths to advocate for and support disabled learners.

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