Foundation Students Partner with AUB in Superpeople Achieve Collaboration Project
Foundation LEAP and STEPs first-year students travelled to Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) to take part in a collaborative project with AUB Graphic Design students and the Superpeople Achieve Project on Wednesday, 20th May.
The Achieve Project brings together young neurodivergent adults and university design students at AUB in a collaborative initiative based on mutual support, shared creativity, confidence-building, and employability. The project was set up by Superpeople, a charity that initially worked with Disability Rights UK and now collaborates with AUB to help break down barriers to employment for neurodivergent young people.
As part of the collaboration, AUB students designed bespoke self-promotional tools tailored to each participant. These included CV templates and postcards, enabling students to confidently approach employers in ways that reflect their strengths, skills, and individuality.
Fran Bove, Director of Learning for Foundation Studies, said:
“This excellent partnership gives Foundation students the chance to work alongside university students and creative professionals on real design projects. Along the way, they build confidence, develop self-expression, and gain valuable employability skills through personalised, hands-on experiences. Many of those involved have commented that they really enjoyed the experience.”
Natalie Betts, founder of Superpeople and the Achieve Project, explained that she originally started the charity with her partner and best friend after realising the social barriers to employment for neurodiverse people.
She stated:
“This year marks the eighth year of the charity, and the sixth year of the project itself. We know that 66% of jobs are harder to obtain for neurodivergent young people. The project helps them illustrate their personal character differences. One year, the Achieve Project was themed around The Apprentice TV show, getting thousands of views and going viral.
“When COVID took hold, we had to diversify since we could not film, so the project evolved into what it is today. This year, we’ve introduced a further change: a consultation between the student from college and the student from AUB before the initial design work begins. They discuss preferred colours and styles, helping the design students gain insight into what the participants want. Both sets of students said that this process really helped and that they enjoyed it.”
