Louise Harrison, North East Rep

Louise has worked in widening participation for over 13 years both at Newcastle University and now via the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP) and passionately believes in creating opportunities for under-represented groups within higher education.

Louise has worked specifically with care-experienced young people since 2014, as the designated contact at Newcastle University until 2021 and now in her role as Project Manager for NERAP. During her time at Newcastle University, she led on signing the University up to the Care Leaver Covenant, which they achieved in 2018. In her current role, she has worked with the five North East universities to sign up to the Care Leaver Covenant as a region, offering a core level of support for all students. As part of this commitment, Louise has led on the creation of a new intensive programme of activities for care-experienced students and young carers in years 7 – 13, Choices Together, to support young people to think about their futures and how higher education can help them reach their goals.

Louise has been an active member of NNECL and Northern England Care Leaver Activities & Student Support (North CLASS) for many years.

Louise also has close relationships with many Local Authorities and Virtual Schools in the North East region and coordinates the North East Care-Experienced Student Steering Group bringing these colleagues together to share best practice.