Brightside

Brightside We're a social mobility charity that connects young people with inspiring mentors to help them make confident and informed decisions about their future.

Still thinking about how amazing Jasmine is 💛Back running hills ✅Back clocking miles ✅All after injury… and with just ON...
10/04/2026

Still thinking about how amazing Jasmine is 💛

Back running hills ✅
Back clocking miles ✅
All after injury… and with just ONE MONTH to go 🔥

She’s taking on the Jurassic Ultra to support young people for a brighter future, and she’s not slowing down 💪

Let’s help her go all the way 🚀
Tap the link in our comments, donate if you can, and show her some love in the comments 🙌

Is your mentoring programme designed for success, or just left to chance? 🤝In the world of Widening Participation, we kn...
27/03/2026

Is your mentoring programme designed for success, or just left to chance? 🤝

In the world of Widening Participation, we know that one-off workshops only go so far. To truly move the needle for underrepresented students, we need to move beyond information sharing and toward genuine human connection.

We recently gathered leaders from across the Higher Education sector, alongside our CEO, John Craven, and our incredible Youth Board, to dive deep into why mentoring is no longer a "nice-to-have" but a necessity in today’s HE landscape.

Key takeaways from the session:

Mentoring creates a safe space for the honest questions students won't ask in a classroom.

Design is Everything: High engagement doesn’t happen by accident. From 8-12 week structures to strong hooks, we shared the framework for what actually works.

Real Impact: Hearing from Milly and Farzana on our Youth Board reminded us all why we do this, turning "I can't" into "I am."

Whether you’re focused on Pre-HE decisions or graduate employability, the right mentoring design makes the difference. 🚀

Catch up on the full discussion, download our framework slides, and watch the recording. Link in comments 👇

For the young people we support at Brightside, hope is built on a foundation of logic and problem-solving. This , we ar...
14/03/2026

For the young people we support at Brightside, hope is built on a foundation of logic and problem-solving. This , we are embracing the theme "Mathematics and Hope."

Math gives us the tools to:
✅ Model climate change solutions
✅ Ensure data privacy
✅ Drive medical breakthroughs
✅ Help students realize their own potential

We aren't just teaching kids to calculate; we’re helping them use mathematical thinking to create a more hopeful world. Whether they want to be a data scientist or a community leader, that logical mindset is a superpower.

Mentoring changes lives, and we saw the proof in Swansea this week! 🤝Chris and Nicole joined the Reaching Wider team to ...
13/03/2026

Mentoring changes lives, and we saw the proof in Swansea this week! 🤝

Chris and Nicole joined the Reaching Wider team to celebrate a fantastic term of growth and connection. From boosting student confidence to helping employers meet the workforce of the future, this partnership is all about creating pathways to success.

So proud of everyone involved! 🚀

It is heartbreaking to watch bright, capable students lose their spark because they feel they have to carry the weight o...
12/03/2026

It is heartbreaking to watch bright, capable students lose their spark because they feel they have to carry the weight of university life alone. Too often, young people join our mentoring programmes feeling like they’ve "failed" because they aren't coping perfectly.

We’re here to say: Independence doesn’t mean isolation.

This March, we are supporting Mind for University Mental Health Day to make wellbeing a priority on every campus. This year’s theme is Human Connection, and it’s at the very heart of what we do at Brightside. ✨

Our mentors provide that vital bridge. They’ve walked the same paths, faced the same late-night anxieties, and offer a safe space to talk when things get heavy. 🌟

To change this, Student Minds organises University Mental Health Day every March. It is a nationwide effort to make mental health a priority across every campus. No matter who you are, you can take part in these vital conversations. 🗣️

If you (or someone you know) is feeling the pressure, try this: Set a timer for five minutes and send one message. Whether it’s a quick check-in text to a friend or an email to a mentor, that small bridge can stop a mental spiral before it starts.

Let’s keep the conversation going. No one should have to navigate campus life in silence. 🧡

Getting our ducks in a row... literally! 🐥🎯Last week, the Brightside team hit to celebrate a major milestone: the welco...
11/03/2026

Getting our ducks in a row... literally! 🐥🎯

Last week, the Brightside team hit to celebrate a major milestone: the welcome of our new CEO, John Craven!

While we usually focus on mentoring and social mobility, we discovered that our team absolutely dominates digital fairground games.

From topping the Prize-O-Rama leaderboards to clearing out the hook-a-duck, we definitely dialled up the competition! 🏆

The day gave us the perfect chance to share plenty of laughs and get to know John in the best kind of chaos.

However, we may need a rematch on some of those scores!
Welcome to the team, John!

⏰ FINAL CALL: Applications close at 4:00 PM today.The "Knowledge Economy" is moving fast; don't let your students get le...
11/03/2026

⏰ FINAL CALL: Applications close at 4:00 PM today.

The "Knowledge Economy" is moving fast; don't let your students get left behind. We’re looking for the next generation of scientists, coders, and engineers who just need the right spark to get started.

In partnership with STEM Learning UK, our free mentoring scheme bridges the gap between "big dreams" and "real plans."

Why join?
✅ 1-on-1 secure mentoring.
✅ Insight into daily life in STEM.
✅ Expert guidance on UCAS and employment.

⏰ FINAL CALL: Applications close at 4:00 PM today.
Monday (March 16) is the first day of their new future.

Tag a teacher, parent, or advisor below who needs to see this before the cutoff! 👇

It’s British Science Week, and the theme this year is all about curiosity. But we've noticed that for many parents and t...
10/03/2026

It’s British Science Week, and the theme this year is all about curiosity. But we've noticed that for many parents and teachers we work with, curiosity often comes with a bit of anxiety about the future. How do we help our kids find the right career when the world is changing so fast?

We have a really exciting way to help. Brightside is currently running a free national online mentoring scheme for students aged 13–19.

We’re matching young people with real STEM professionals. They can chat about anything, from what university is really like to how to find a great apprenticeship. It’s all online, it's safe, and because it’s fully funded, it’s completely free for UK students.

But you'll need to move fast! Sign-ups for the next cycle close this Wednesday (11 March) at 4pm. The programme starts the following Monday.

It’s the perfect way to turn that Science Week spark into a real-world plan.

Does your teenager have a dream career in mind, or are they still exploring? Let’s talk about the careers they’re curious about in the comments below! 👇

Did you know that International Women’s Day actually has its roots in a strike for "Bread and Peace"?Back in 1908, women...
08/03/2026

Did you know that International Women’s Day actually has its roots in a strike for "Bread and Peace"?

Back in 1908, women took to the streets to demand basic rights. They knew that if they gave their courage to the cause, the whole community would gain a better future.

In 2026, the theme is Give To Gain, and it feels just as relevant today as it did 100 years ago. At Brightside, we see this "giving" in action every week.

Giving isn't a subtraction. It's how we all rise together.

We're curious, who is the woman in your life who "gave" you her time or wisdom when you needed it most? Let's celebrate them in the comments! 👇

Mentoring is about more than just a meeting; it’s about opening doors. 🚪Yesterday, Amy Connelly and Samantha Barker join...
06/03/2026

Mentoring is about more than just a meeting; it’s about opening doors. 🚪

Yesterday, Amy Connelly and Samantha Barker joined the Reaching Wider Mentoring Celebration at Bangor University. They spent the day celebrating the incredible impact of mentoring over the past year.

We know that many young people struggle to see a clear path to their future. Without a network, higher education can feel out of reach. This often leads to missed opportunities for bright students.

The energy in the room at Bangor changed that. Amy heard directly from students who gained the confidence to aim higher. One student shared how their mentor helped them with university applications that once felt impossible.

A mentor isn't just a guide. They are the person in your corner who helps you see a future you hadn't considered yet. Seeing this impact in person is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at Brightside.

We also heard from Musharaf Asghar from Educating Yorkshire. His message about resilience and belief really resonated with everyone.

Thank you to Reaching Wider and Bangor University for bringing us all together. 🎓

💡Have you ever had a mentor who changed your perspective?

Happy World Book Day! 📖This year’s theme is "Symphony of Stories." At Brightside, we absolutelyI love that idea. It’s ab...
05/03/2026

Happy World Book Day! 📖

This year’s theme is "Symphony of Stories." At Brightside, we absolutelyI love that idea. It’s about how all our different voices and backgrounds blend together to make something beautiful.

We’ve been thinking a lot about the books that stayed with us long after we closed the cover.

Books are powerful because they’re factual windows into other lives. They show us that while our experiences are unique, we’re all part of the same "symphony."

Whether it’s a dog-eared paperback or a crisp new hardback, stories connect us. They teach us facts about history and give us a look at cultures we’ve never visited.

What was the first book that made you feel truly "seen"? Or is there a book you think everyone should read at least once?

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