Meet the Access Team

The Access Team brings together the access, outreach, widening participation and community engagement work of the University into a unified team.

This enables the University to better drive forward these important elements of our broader strategies and help fulfil our ambition to be recognised as a university embedded in its community and supporting the development of Suffolk. Bringing together these closely interconnected areas of external facing activity will help us meet our targets agreed with the Office for Students through our Access & Participation Plan and Uni Connect partnership. 

The Access Team at the University of Suffolk is part of the wider Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (neaco) project. We work closely with all universities/colleges within the partnership, as well as the University of Suffolk’s Schools Liaison and Student Recruitment Teams. Within the Access Team are Higher Education Champions who focus on improving the knowledge and experience of Higher Education for a range of learners within the communities we serve, as well as increasing both passion and ambition. The Access Team have a specific emphasis on underrepresented groups work, as well as working closely with the local Further Education Colleges. In addition, we aim to improve local knowledge of Higher & Degree Apprenticeships and Arts, Media & Design courses at HE level. We also increase the understanding and awareness of study options after school/college for parents and carers through our successful Parent/Carer Ambassador Scheme.

Access Team

Miles Cole

Miles is the Head of Access and leads the University's Uni Connect Partnership, neaco, as well as our Access programme.

Miles Cole staff profile photo

Caroline Rayner

Caroline is Access and Participation Manager, overseeing the Higher Education Champions who are based within schools across Ipswich and South West Suffolk.

Alison Jones

Alison is a Project Administrator provides administrative support to the neaco Team.

Alison Jones staff profile photo

Aimee Hayes

Aimee is an Access and Participation Officer and has a wealth of experience working with young and vulnerable people in a variety of settings.

Aimee Hayes staff profile photo

Annabel Osborn

Annabel is Arts, Media and Design Higher Education Champion.

Annabel Osborn staff profile photo

Christina Clarke

Christina works across several schools and colleges based in East Suffolk in her role as Higher Education Champion.

Claire Palmer

Claire is a Higher Education Champion who is passionate about education and in helping others to meet their potential.

Claire Palmer staff profile photo