We are an organisation made up of university students with a variety of disabilities, physical and mental health conditions, SpLDs, and neurodiverse conditions. Our aim is to support pre-university students in similar situations through mentoring and by sharing advice, experiences, and solidarity. Covering the social side of disability as well as education, we hope to encourage disabled students to confidently chase big ambitions.
Head Up! mentoring
Via our website and social media channels, we share advice and resources on school, university, careers, finances, and mental health – as well as case studies showcasing different disabled students’ paths, challenges, and successes.
We’re very proud to offer interactive, personalised support through our free mentoring scheme, which involves monthly online sessions. Anyone aged 14-18 who self-identifies as disabled or has a physical and/or mental health condition, SpLD, or who is neurodiverse can register.
Your mentor will be a current university student or graduate with a similar disability/condition, or who studies a subject you’re interested in (we try to match you according to your preference). Mentoring can help you navigate university applications and decision-making or focus on broader skills and developing confidence.
If you’d like to take part, please sign up here – even if we’re full, please leave your details and we’ll contact you when spaces become available.
A note on safety: Our dedicated safeguarding team delivers compulsory training to all our mentors, and our safeguarding policies can be viewed on our website.
Hear from a current mentee and mentor:
Taking part has really helped me know what facilities are available to me as well as offering substantial support through the stressful process that is applying to Cambridge.
I've loved working with my mentees to help ensure that their disability is not a barrier in accessing higher education. We’ve worked together on UCAS applications, Cambridge admissions, thinking about university life and study skills. The sessions are always really enjoyable and it's so rewarding to see how my mentees are progressing on their academic journey.
How to get involved
You can find us via our website or @headupuk on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – follow us for news of our public events, including live Q&As with current students discussing issues such as university interviews.
If you’re a teacher or adviser, please feel free to use and share our resources; mentoring does not require staff nominations, but we’d be grateful if you could forward our details to any students who may be interested in getting involved.
Current university students or recent graduates can volunteer to be a mentor by filling out this form – we’ll be in touch when we receive it
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
We’d love to have you with us!