WHAT IS SUMMER UNIVERSITY?

The charity’s principal activity is to work with young people through innovative educational opportunities in the summer holidays and year round, helping them make informed, positive decisions that enhance their lives and the lives of those around them and to encourage and facilitate the growth of high quality, sustainable Summer Unis that offer open access for young people across London. The charity is called Tower Hamlets Summer Education Ltd. and operates under the name ‘Tower Hamlets Summer University’ (THSU).

THSU aims to:

Promote independent learning
Raise achievement
Promote racial tolerance and good community relations
Increase access to educational opportunities through creative partnerships between all sectors, statutory, voluntary, business and industry
Involve young people in the organisation's development

THSU was initially piloted as a crime prevention initiative and to counter the impact of the rise of the BNP in the local community in 1995, through providing educational opportunities for young people, particularly those at risk of social exclusion, and providing them with progression routes to employment. Each year, the projects have gradually changed focus, with new trends and shifts in education and youth policy.
We are a registered company no. 2017713 and registered charity no. 1048822
Our current activities include:
The Summer Programme for 11-25 year olds runs at a variety of venues throughout Tower Hamlets and the City of London, including London Metropolitan University. It offers up to 100 courses each summer in subjects as diverse as Careers in the City, Emergency Room week, Photography, Driving Theory, First Aid, Maths, French, Cookery, Jewellery Design and Making, Fashion Academy, Bollywood Dance, Film Making, Kick & Thai Boxing, Cricket, Tourism, Psychology, to name a few.

Summer Uni Plus, for 14-25 year olds, rolls out a range of arts based courses and activities beyond the summer including our Nang! youth magazine. In 2007-8 we are developing Summer Uni Plus to include sports and careers.

Peer Motivator Volunteers: Peer motivators are key to the success of Summer University, supporting the tutors, students with disabilities and marketing the Summer University to schools, clubs and other places young people frequent. Aged between 15 and 23, each receives a lunch allowance and all travel expenses. The volunteers are supervised by the peer co-ordinator and supported by seven ‘team leaders’, young people who have been peer motivators in previous years. The peer scheme is accredited through the nationally recognised Millennium Volunteer Awards and through London Open College Network, which we have developed in partnership with Tower Hamlets College.

Summer Uni London: A major aspect of THSU’s recent activities is the work being carried out on the Summer Uni London project, facilitating the creation of Summer Unis in every London borough, coordinating a network and partnership of those Summer Unis and other activity providers, and encouraging implementation of quality assurance measures through Quality in Study Support. We have developed a London wide website, www.summerunilondon.org, an information bank of courses and activities available to young people within the London region and in 2007, 18 London boroughs ran a Summer Uni, promoting and encompassing youth consultation and participation. In 2008, we aim to have every London borough hosting a Summer Uni.

We have a staff team of 16 full time and 6 part time people. We have approximately 55 young volunteers and this is increasing with new projects, plus a board of 12 trustees.
In 2007 to 2008 projects for 11-25 year olds are as follows:

An “Easter Programme” with 16 courses in, for example, Islamic Calligraphy, Documentary Filmmaking, Archery and Boxing.

Starting during the Easter Programme and culminating in a high profile event on 28th April, THSU worked with a group of 20 young people as part of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) event “Eat London” building a mini square of London… out of food! The event in Trafalgar Square was a celebration to reconnect the creativity and rituals of food, culture and the community.

“Create and Chill” is a 10 week, after school, creative arts programme for 11-18 year olds, most of who are at risk of being excluded from school.

“The Music Space” has been developed in response to consultation with young people by Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service. Piloted with funding from Accenture, it consists of two bespoke music projects happening on Saturday afternoons over a 8-10 week period, running three times a year; “Bands” developing four young local bands; and “Music Tech” giving up to ten young people new skills in music technology. Each programme involves performances at public events.

“Summer Programme” targeted 11-25 year olds through one brochure in 2007. We piloted new courses including street fashion, careers in the rail network and in the maritime industry, a young curators course culminating in a London wide art exhibition and Olympic sports such as boxing and archery. A staggering 1815 young people tried to enrol for the 1485 course places on 106 courses. Every course was full and each course ran from between two days and up to five weeks in length. Many businesses are delivering courses and for the first time, three cross borough courses took place in partnership with Newham Summer School.

“Job Ready” is being piloted from October 2007. Job Ready is designed to support young people aged 16 - 25 as they enter the job market and we are working in partnership with vocational trainers, careers advisors, educational institutions, businesses and industry. We aim to move beneficiaries who are not currently in employment, training or education in to a variety of volunteering, employment, training or apprenticeship schemes and to support them during their transition into these new opportunities. Mentors from the corporate and other sectors will be involved in this project.

www! What We Want! offers young people aged 13-19 the opportunity to create media works that show what life is like for young people living in London and their hopes, ideas and aspirations. It’s about getting their voice heard, about telling those around them what it really is like! Funded by Mediabox, www! includes media based courses in the summer and October half term and includes a bursary scheme offering up to 10 young people the opportunity to apply for £500 to run a media project close to their heart. The project will culminate in a celebratory showcase on March 19th 2008.

Focus on Fashion will run on Saturdays during February and March 2008 as part of a pilot 14-19 Creative Media Diploma on behalf of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The project will culminate in a fashion show for parents, guardians and friends.

There are no barriers to attendance on any of our projects and all our activities are free. Participants who attend 80-100% of a course receive a Summer University Certificate of Achievement and a range of courses and projects are nationally accredited, such as First Aid, Community Sports Leaders Award and our Peer Volunteer scheme.
THSU also offer a volunteer programme throughout the year.

For more information check out the Peer Motivators page.

THSU is celebrating its twelfth year in 2007.

What young people say about Summer University

BT Seen and Heard Award

A great project will inspire other young people to take action

The Nang! team won a Seen and Heard Award and the celebration is in October 2007. Each Seen and Heard entry was scored on 7 criteria and all entries were judged by young people under the age of 18. Nang scored highly on all 7 criteria. “The local community now has a young people’s magazine which is packed with top issues and interviews.” Judges comment

The Philip Lawrence Award

Our young Nang! journalists were one of the winners of this award in December 2006

The Nang! Magazine team won a prestigious Philip Lawrence Award in December in recognition of their creative ways of breaking down social barriers and racial tensions. Nang! continues apace, preparing their own business plan and implementing their new ideas to improve the magazine further.

Quality in Study Support (QiSS)

Summer University gained *Quality in Study Support (QiSS)* recognition

In July 2005 Tower Hamlets Summer University gained *Quality in Study Support (QiSS)* recognition as an '*advanced*' centre for Out of School Hours Learning, only one of twelve organisations nationally and the first Summer University in the country to achieve this kite mark.

*Investors in People*

In July 2005 we attained *Investors in People *recognition which* *sets out principals of good practice ensuring Summer Uni is a positive, supportive employer. We invest in our staff, volunteers and participants because they are key to our success.

*Tower Hamlets Summer University project Unboxed wins a Wavemakers Award*

Wavemakers... celebrating achievements of children and young people

UNBOXED: In November 2003 we were approached to co-ordinate and facilitate an anti-racism and human rights project, in partnership with the British Council South Africa, called Unboxed. The projects' aim was to run a programme of activities bringing 30 young people from London and Cape Town together to develop and promote a culture of human rights and anti-discrimination amongst their peers. The guiding principle was for young people to be at the heart of planning the activities as well as participating in them. Funding was secured from Bridge House Trust for the UK side of the partnership and Unboxed got under way in March 2004.

Participants were recruited from across London, all with a keen interest in Human Rights. Through workshops and exchange visits, they developed an in-depth knowledge of human rights and anti-discrimination issues which they took back into their own communities, developing local projects addressing issues they felt passionate about. The community projects were launched on International Human Rights Day on December 10th.

It was such a boost to hear we had won a Wavemakers Award, especially as we are celebrating our tenth year of innovative youth led projects. It is a recognition of the hard work, challenges and achievements our motivated Unboxed crew have experienced in the last life-changing year and we are all very proud of them. Well done to all and thank you Wavemakers.

Sarah Davies, Director, Tower Hamlets Summer University

*Guy Ritchie Film Making Competition*

Three short films made by THSU students in 2004

In 2004, three short films made by THSU students were joint winners of the Guy Ritchie Film Making Competition. The winning young film makers were invited to visit Guy Ritchie’s current film set in November, spending the day with Guy and all his cast and crew. Please contact Summer Uni if you like to view any of these short films.

*Altab Ali Park*

A documentary made in 2002

This documentary uncovered the history behind the naming of this popular local park with its distinctive gateway. Beginning with local park users, misconceptions about the park are revealed and gradually the young presenter delves into local news sources and eye witness accounts. The documentary shows that the name members the racist murder of Altab Ali a respected local resident whose death sparked direct action against the racists and fascists of the 1970’s East End.

Since the making of this documentary the local authority has commemorated Altab Ali in the proper way with a full story of the Park’s history on prominent display.

Tutor: Bavesh Hindocha – Loud Minority Production, DIY TV
Created by: Frederick Fletcher, Kieran Saikat Dasgupta, Mujibur Rahman and Syed Nadir Ahmed

*Martilino*

A short film made for Stories Not For Telling in 2002

This short film was the culmination of a theme based on teenage pregnancy and how this creates family problems - can this be solved without violence?

Tutor: Paul Trevor
Created by: Akkas Al-ali, Eliana Thaci, Monsur Alam, Nuspat Mahajabeen, Camran Mohammed, Mahmuda Sultana Hoque and Muna Said-Elmi

*South Park Style Animation*

Kids Crack Crime made with Junior Summer Uni students in 2003

11 to 13 year olds from Tower Hamlets created a South Park style animation on Apple Macs to illustrate positive attitudes towards the police. The film is a tad violent but then so is South Park, which it is based upon. The young people have taken to their theme and style with a great gusto.

Tutor: Leslie Bushell
Created by: Colin Kidwellm, Hanif Ahmed, Naresh Sunder, Nicholas Minich, Rory Marshall and Sanjay Poyzer

Marks & Spencer British Community Safety Award

Summer University was one of five winners of the Marks & Spencer British Community Safety Award

In October 2003 Tower Hamlets Summer University was *one of five winners of the Marks & Spencer British Community Safety Award*, run in conjunction with* Crime Concern*,* *from over 270 entrants and a shortlist of 30. The Metropolitan Police provided crime figures for this award confirming that since 1995 THSU has contributed to reducing juvenile nuisance by 17%, drug offences by 25% and an overall reduction in youth crime by 8% over the summer holiday period, even though Tower Hamlets has the fastest growing teenage population in Britain.