As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to reflect on another incredible year at LiNCHigher. As Lincolnshire’s Uni Connect programme for education and career advice, we’ve achieved new milestones, built stronger partnerships, and inspired countless students to explore their future with confidence. In this blog, we’ll recap our achievements, celebrate team highlights, and share what we’re looking forward to in 2025.

This year we are proud to report that 5,124 individual learners participated in our activities and events, with the team delivering an impressive 378 LiNCHigher led activities. 

Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, LiNCHigher is here to help you navigate the next steps in your education and career journey.

Our 2024 calendars were packed full of exciting events and initiatives!

Our 2024 Highlights

From innovative projects to unforgettable events, this year has been packed with achievements that have positively impacted students across Lincolnshire.

2024 has seen the launch of the LiNCHigher Work Experience Spotlight Series, where we partnered with local businesses like Shooting Star and the Lincoln Arts Centre to provide insights into exciting career opportunities. Phoebe Potter, Marketing and Communications Lead Officer shared, “Spotlighting local businesses not only highlights career pathways but also inspires students to dream big, we are excited to continue developing this series in 2025!”

We also rolled out the Future Focus Magazine, a comprehensive resource designed to guide students through every stage of their education journey. Distributed to schools across Lincolnshire, it empowers students to make informed decisions about higher education, apprenticeships, and gap years.

Working in partnership with the Eleanor Glanville Institute at the University of Lincoln we created the Inclusive Student Pipeline Guide, a resource designed to help teachers support students transitioning to higher education. Focused on becoming self-regulated learners, building student identity, and developing independent life skills, the guide offers research-backed activities aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks 3 and 7. Distributed to all schools in Lincolnshire, it aims to address barriers and maximise opportunities for students.

Additionally, the Young Carers Festival stands out as a key highlight of 2024, Jess McNeill, Community Events & Projects Officer, reflected, “My proudest moment of 2024 would be the Young Carers Festival because I built it from the ground up. Hosting a respite day for the young carers of Lincolnshire has been a truly special experience.”

Other highlights included the Creative Forces Days, the Festival of Friends booklet, and the introduction of the LegoLincs Programme, which uses hands-on STEM activities to engage Year 9 students. Emily Kirk, Schools Engagement Officer, said, “I’m really excited to roll out the LegoLincs project to more schools next year, it’s such a fun and engaging way to inspire young people.”

Reflections from the LiNCHigher Team

The dedication and creativity of the LiNCHigher team have been central to our success this year.

John Herbert, Project Manager, reflected on the team’s collaborative achievements saying, “This year, I’m proud of our innovation bid, developed in partnership with organisations across the county. We won’t know if we’ve won the funding until next year but forming this partnership has been a fantastic experience. I’m also proud of how we’ve used data to demonstrate the project’s impact. Seeing how LiNCHigher has supported thousands of students into higher education while helping schools improve outcomes has been incredibly rewarding.

The LiNCHigher team are a friendly, sociable bunch! We’ve had some fantastic team-building days this year, including terrarium making, escape rooms, crazy golf, cake days, quizzes, and even the occasional night out. These moments of connection strengthen the team and make working together even more enjoyable.”

Rebecca Crooks, Schools and Colleges Programme Manager reflected on her proudest moment, "The highlight of 2024 for me was showcasing the incredible achievements of the LiNCHigher project at our Summer Showcase Event.

I'm eager to collaborate with the Office for Students in 2025 to shape the next phase of the Uni Connect programme."

Kanako Caldicott, Project Administrator, said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to provide administrative and data analysis support this year. Seeing the impact our programmes have on students’ lives makes everything we do worthwhile. For next year, I hope to continue supporting the team and helping our cohort build a better future.”

Jess McNeill, Community Events and Projects Officer highlighted her work on the Young Carers Festival, saying, “It’s been amazing to see the smiles on young carers’ faces as they enjoyed a day dedicated to them. I’m also looking forward to hosting the Service Child Awards next year, a chance to celebrate Service children and their resilience with an afternoon full of awards, music, and VIP attendees.”

Shaun O’Neill, Community Projects Manager reflected on the value of the team’s collaborative efforts. “The Festival of Friends, which celebrated 23 Lincolnshire schools completing projects to improve outcomes for Service children, has been a particular highlight. It was also fantastic to see our team come together for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, where we raised over £1,000 for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. These moments highlight the strength of our team and our commitment to making a difference.

For me running a Festival of Friends workshop at the SCiP Alliance Annual Conference was a real highlight of 2024. It was a fantastic opportunity to support Service children and share best practises with schools and stakeholders from across the country."

Emily Kirk, School Engagement Officer shared her excitement for the future, saying, “Working on the Study Skills programme has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m looking forward to introducing the LegoLincs project to more schools in 2025. It’s such a fun and engaging way to inspire students.”

Owen Benstead, Project Officer, reflected on his proudest moment of 2024. “Something I’m proud of is working on the Festival of Friends booklet. The Festival of Friends is a collaborative programme designed to support Service children. Its key aims are to develop and share good practice in the educational and pastoral support for this group of children. The project also aims to promote Service children’s progression to further and higher education, ultimately improving opportunities and outcomes for them.

I’m also looking forward to creating more resources for the team and developing engaging social media content in 2025. It’s an exciting opportunity to continue expanding our reach and making a difference for more students in Lincolnshire.”

Kayleigh Moore, College Engagement Officer, said “My favourite moment would be supporting the development of the LegoLincs project and delivering sessions to Year 9 students. It’s been amazing to see their creativity and enthusiasm while working on STEM-based challenges.

In 2025, I am looking forward to continuing working with Lincoln College, delivering the Future Focus programme to their students. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help young people take confident steps towards their futures.”

Jason Clark, College Engagement Officer said, "My proudest moment of 2024 was helping to organise, fund and accompany a group of students from Boston College on an overnight trip to Norwich to visit both UEA and Norwich University of Arts. The feedback from the students was fantastic and showed how the experience truly raised their aspirations.

Looking ahead to 2025 I'm excited to work more closely with students at Riseholme College and continue supporting their educational journeys."

Having joined the team in October, Marketing and Communications Lead Officer Phoebe Potter reflected on her early experiences. “I’ve enjoyed creating press releases and video content to highlight the fantastic work my colleagues deliver every day. It’s been inspiring to see the real difference we’re making in the lives of Lincolnshire’s young people. I have also enjoyed working alongside Owen to promote the LiNCHigher Transport Bursary, an amazing initiative that offers Lincolnshire Secondary schools a 50% reimbursement on travel trips for Years 10 to 13. Next year, I’m excited to focus on developing the LiNCHigher website and using insights to inform and develop social media content.”

The dedication and creativity of the LiNCHigher team have been central to our success this year.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we move into 2025, the LiNCHigher team is excited about what’s to come. From hosting the second Young Carers Festival to launching the Service Child Awards and continuing the rollout of innovative programmes like LegoLincs, we remain committed to empowering students, parents, and educators across Lincolnshire.

Thank you for being part of our journey in 2024. We look forward to another incredible year of making a difference in the lives of young people across our county. Stay connected with us on social media channels and explore our resources on our website.

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