Wales Fund – Equity in Education Projects Supported
The Brilliant Club is a UK-registered charity dedicated to increasing the number of pupils from underrepresented backgrounds who progress to highly selective universities. Since 2016, The Brilliant Club has been active in South Wales through its flagship initiative – The Scholars Programme – which offers students a transformational academic experience. We are proud to have funded the programme for a number of years, supporting its delivery in schools across Wales and contributing to a compelling end-of-project report in July that demonstrated meaningful impact.
The need for The Brilliant Club’s work in Wales is compelling. University progression data highlights persistent inequalities in higher education access: only 22% of young people from the lowest participation areas in Wales progressed to university in 2022, compared with 52% from the highest participation areas. More broadly, Welsh students continue to enrol in higher education at lower rates than their English peers. These disparities reflect a system where access to life-changing educational opportunities is still too often dictated by socioeconomic background. The Scholars Programme tackles this inequity head-on, by building students’ knowledge, skills, and self-belief through university-style learning delivered by PhD tutors.
Over the next three years, The Brilliant Club aims to reach over 4,200 students in 251 Welsh schools. The Scholars Programme offers participants the opportunity to visit two selective universities, engage in seven academic tutorials with a PhD tutor, and complete a final assignment marked using university-style criteria. Topics range widely – from climate change to neuroscience, literature to coral reef ecosystems – introducing students to subjects beyond the standard curriculum and igniting curiosity about the world of higher education. Each school receives a detailed impact report, offering insight into student progress and comparison against national averages, which helps demonstrate tangible outcomes for learners.
Our ongoing support of The Brilliant Club reflects our belief in the power of education to unlock potential and promote equality. The programme not only raises aspirations but equips young people with the confidence and skills they need to succeed – regardless of their background. By enabling more students from Wales to access and thrive at leading universities, we are helping to shape a fairer, more inclusive future where talent, not circumstance, determines opportunity.
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company founded in 2000 to safeguard coastal and marine environments for the benefit of both current residents and future generations. With a mission rooted in sustainability, resilience, and community engagement, PCF leads a range of collaborative, multi-partner projects that promote environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and education. Pembrokeshire is uniquely positioned at the forefront of the UK’s growing marine energy sector. This rapidly evolving industry presents a significant opportunity for the region’s young people to access high-quality careers in engineering, environmental science, project management, and more. However, Pembrokeshire continues to face some socio-economic challenges, including some of the highest rates of child poverty in Wales and lower-than-average adult qualification levels. These factors can limit young people’s aspirations and their ability to engage with the region’s most promising employment sectors.
PCF’s Coastal Curriculum is a proven and innovative way to address these challenges. It introduces learners to real-world STEM applications and fosters an understanding of local environmental and economic contexts. We are supporting PCF to expand this curriculum through three core elements: Coastal Challenge Days, Coastal STEM Workshops, and the META Education project. Together, these programmes offer a powerful combination of immersive field experiences, hands-on learning, and direct interaction with industry professionals.
By continuing to fund PCF’s education work, we are not only supporting better outcomes for young people but also helping to future-proof the region’s economy and environment. These programmes inspire ambition, increase access to STEM learning, and open pathways to meaningful careers – ensuring that local communities can thrive alongside the development of the green economy in Pembrokeshire.
POINT (Fishguard and Goodwick Young Person’s Trust) is a trusted local charity supporting young people aged 11–25 in North Pembrokeshire. Based in Fishguard, POINT has become a cornerstone of youth provision in the region, offering a safe, inclusive space and a range of vital services aimed at improving the wellbeing, confidence, and future prospects of the young people it serves. From mental health support and free daily hot meals to alternative education programmes and community engagement projects, POINT provides practical and emotional support to help young people overcome barriers and build brighter futures. We are proud to have supported POINT on a number of occasions and to witness the positive and far-reaching impact of its work.
The challenges faced by young people in this rural part of Pembrokeshire are considerable. Since the pandemic and the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, POINT has seen a 41% increase in demand for its drop-in and weekend services. At the same time, the number relying on the charity’s daily meal service has more than doubled. Local employment is often seasonal and insecure, and access to further education or job support services is limited by poor transport infrastructure. These issues contribute to deepening inequality, isolation, and poor mental health.
We are supporting POINT’s “POINT To a Better Future” (PTBF) initiative, a three-year programme designed to address these challenges through consistent, high-quality youth provision. The project will run four days a week (plus two Saturdays per month) throughout most of the year, offering young people a supportive environment where they can access hot meals, personalised support, and a programme of engaging, development-focused activities. These include employability training through “Tea and Toastie” sessions, accredited alternative education for those disengaged from school, adventure and sports activities, Saturday evening events, a youth forum, and specialist provision like “Quiet Hour” for neurodivergent young people.
PTBF aims to support over 1,000 young people over three years, delivering a cost-effective intervention with meaningful impact. By offering a consistent and welcoming space, along with structured support, POINT helps young people build the life skills, qualifications, and confidence they need to thrive. As noted by local school leaders, this partnership plays a vital role in preventing students from falling through the cracks. Our continued investment in POINT will ensure that some of the most isolated and vulnerable young people in Wales are not only supported but empowered to reach their potential, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive rural community.