Cowrie Scholarship Foundation, Partnership
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation was established with the vision of creating a new future for 100+ talented Black British students through education by 2030. As part of their holistic approach to their Scholar’s development, they engaged us to provide mentoring support.
“With Insight provides engaging, powerful training sessions and the With Insight mentorship programme has led to Cowrie Scholars gaining increased confidence, enhanced aspirations and has provided a profound difference to many of them. The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation cannot thank Christine and the With Insight team enough for this partnership in helping us to transform lives through education.”
Professor Richard OC Oreffo
Founder - Cowrie Scholarship Foundation
Outcomes
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation launched in September 2020 with the intention of alleviating the financial barrier to education experienced by talented Black students. Their award winning initiative fully funds Scholars’ fees and maintenance costs but it was quickly recognised that Scholars needed ongoing support if they were to prosper as a minority at university.
Our response was the creation of the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation mentorship programme. Building on qualitative research from their existing Scholars which we supplemented with our own alumni students’ voice, we designed and now deliver a comprehensive programme that matches each Scholar with both a peer and professional mentor. Our team leads on all aspects of the programmes’ delivery, continually sharing our insights with the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation to ensure that the programme goes from strength to strength.
“With Insight Education have, over the last three years, provided a wonderful mentorship programme to over 50 of our Cowrie Scholars across our 26 UK partner universities; empowering Black British students to realise their potential. The partnership forged with Christine and her team has been carefully tailored to meet our needs providing mentors across areas from Drama to Medicine, Engineering to Journalism. The mentorship programme runs throughout the academic year matching mentors and mentees with consummate skill.” says Prof. Richard Oreffo about the programme.
Lasting Legacy
Awarded Widening Participation Organisation of the Year 2024 at the Student Social Mobility Awards, the Cowrie Scholarship Foundation is working hard to equip the next generation of talented Black students with the education to make a difference in their lives and wider society. We are delighted to be using our expertise and knowledge to play a part in this.