Launch comes as one in four students in Wales declares a disability

A NEW public-sector backed organisation has been launched with the aim of improving access to vital support for disabled students in Wales.

The initiative comes as figures show that one in four students in Wales now declares a known disability, highlighting growing pressure on universities and support services.

Since 2020, the number of students in Wales reporting a disability has risen by 26 per cent, creating what campaigners describe as a widening accessibility gap within higher education.

The situation reflects a broader challenge across the UK. Research suggests nearly two thirds of students with disabilities have not benefited from adjustment support because the process of securing help can be difficult. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of students with a declared disability say delays in accessing support have negatively affected their studies.

To address the problem, Impact Student Partners has launched a partnership-based approach designed to improve the delivery of Non-Medical Help (NMH) — the specialist human support provided to enable disabled students to access their studies.

The organisation will work with universities, support workers and students to provide a more personalised approach to matching support staff with those who need assistance. The model also includes improved communication with students and job-seeking support for graduates.

Charlie Bentham-Wood, founder of Impact Student Partners, said the increase in disability declarations reflected growing demand for better support systems within universities.

“This steady rise in Wales, where a quarter of students now declare a disability, highlights the challenges many students face,” he said.

“Research shows students often encounter barriers when trying to access reasonable adjustments at university. Demand has also increased significantly for Disabled Students Allowance-funded support through Student Finance Wales, particularly for students experiencing mental health conditions.

“Our role is to help ensure students in Wales receive the support they need and reduce the barriers they may face during their studies.”

Impact Student Partners is owned by Commercial Services Group, a council-owned organisation which returns its surplus profits to the public sector.

Students eligible for Non-Medical Help include those with conditions such as dyslexia, diagnosed neurodivergence and traumatic brain injuries. Support can include specialist tutoring, mentoring and learning assistance tailored to individual needs, including autism and neurodiversity-informed approaches.

One of the major obstacles facing students is a lack of awareness about the support available, both among students themselves and within universities.

Bentham-Wood said many students currently rely on informal support networks because accessing official help can be difficult.

“We know that a large number of students depend on informal support services, partly because sourcing Non-Medical Help can be challenging,” he said.

“Our mission is to make sure everyone who could benefit from this assistance knows it exists and understands how straightforward it can be to access.”

He added that the organisation has developed a growing network of trained professionals across Wales and the wider UK and plans to expand further as demand increases.

“We believe everyone has enormous potential. Through our partnership approach we want to create opportunities that help students thrive.”

More information about Impact Student Partners is available at:
https://commercialservicesgroup.com/ or by contacting [email protected].

THE CLOCK is ticking on the future of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School as Pembrokeshire County Council debates a decision that could lead to the school’s permanent closure.

Dozens of parents, residents and campaigners gathered outside County Hall in Haverfordwest ahead of today’s meeting (Thursday, March 5), in a last-ditch effort to halt the proposed closure. Their placards read “Save our school” and “Rural schools matter”. 

Inside, councillors sat debating the school’s future, which has served the community of Manorbier since January, 1877.

The council report outlines the results of a statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue the school altogether. Councillors must now decide whether to proceed with the closure process, abandon the proposal, or significantly change the plan and consult again.

Fire and temporary classrooms

Manorbier School has been operating from Jameston Community Hall since the fire destroyed large parts of the original building in October, 2022.

The historic school building was already considered to be in poor condition before the blaze, according to the council report. Ownership of the building lies with the St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance.

Council officers argue that closing the school could represent better value for money, noting that nearby schools have spare capacity and that maintaining or rebuilding the facility may not be financially viable.

If councillors authorise the next stage, the Director of Education will publish a statutory notice proposing the discontinuation of the school, triggering a further 28-day objection period before a final decision is made.

Strong opposition from community

The consultation process revealed overwhelming opposition to the closure proposal.

A total of 252 responses were submitted, with more than ninety per cent opposing the plan to discontinue the school. A petition has also been submitted, signed by more than 1,500 people.

Many respondents described Manorbier as a small, nurturing school particularly suited to pupils who need additional support. Others warned that closure would damage the community and reduce the attractiveness of the area for young families.

Campaigners have also questioned the council’s financial arguments and believe insurance money from the fire should be used to rebuild the school.

Concerns were also raised about transport, with parents warning that narrow roads and longer journeys to alternative schools could create safety issues and undermine efforts to encourage sustainable travel.

However, a smaller number of respondents supported the proposal, arguing that pupils could benefit from larger schools with broader extracurricular opportunities and wider friendship groups.

Jobs also at risk

If the closure eventually goes ahead, staff positions at the school could be at risk of redundancy, although the council says efforts would be made to redeploy employees wherever possible.

Council officers maintain that discontinuing the school would provide a more sustainable model for education provision in the area, taking into account the condition of the buildings, available school places and overall value for money.

For parents protesting outside County Hall, however, the issue is about far more than finances.

They say losing the school would mean the loss of a vital community asset and could change the character of the village for generations to come.

The council is expected to decide whether to proceed with the statutory notice in the coming weeks. If it does, the final decision on the future of Manorbier School will return to councillors later this year after the objection period has concluded.

Choosing a career path can be one of the most anxious and soul-destroying decisions for countless youngsters as they prepare to leave school.

But now, thanks to National Careers Week’s showcase on how free careers guidance and educational resources across the UK can help people take ownership of their career path, the future is looking a lot rosier.

One local student who is already benefiting from invaluable career guidance is 16-year-old Andy Arnold from Haverfordwest, who has discovered a path that reflects both his passions and his personal journey.

Andy was born with a heart condition which resulted in him having to undergo numerous surgeries as a child which prevented him from taking part in many sports.

But as he grew older, Andy began going to the gym which enabled him to transform something he once felt was a limitation into something he felt passionate about.

“Going to the gym helped build my confidence but it also made me want to help other young people feel the same way,” he said.

But Andy remained unsure how he could turn his newfound passion into a career.

“Before I went for support, I felt scared,” continued.

“I felt lost because I didn’t know what I was going to do after leaving school.

“I started doing police cadets and thought that was the right route for me, but after training for months, I realised what I really enjoyed was helping people.”
This was when Andy reached out to Careers Wales after seeing information shared by his school and met with careers adviser Toni-Jo Stables. Together they explored a range of possibilities ranging from the police and fire service to roles linked to sport.  They also looked at the skills that Andy enjoyed using, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork and how these matched different careers.

“When we looked at all the different roles, personal training just made sense,” he continued.  “Fitness was always at the top, as it combined everything I enjoyed.”

With his goal now starting to take shape,  Andy began taking practical steps.  He completed a BTEC in sport during Years 10 and 11 and now plans to develop his skills in sixth form.  He has also independently found a two-week online personal training course which he plans to complete following his GCSEs.

As a result, Andy feels focused and optimistic about his future. 

“Coming to Careers Wales has definitely given me a goal,” he said,  “as I now know what I can achieve.

“I know there are a lot of people out there who feel just as lost as I did.  It’s important that they go and see a careers adviser like I did, because it really helps to have someone to guide you and show you the routes you can take.”

For more information get in touch with Careers Wales.