The Open Learning Initiative, or OLIve, is a national online programme, supporting people from refugee backgrounds who want to move into higher education. It is funded by the National Lottery and organized by the University of Bristol (UoB) in collaboration with the national charity, Refugee Education UK (REUK), and a number of other NGOs and universities – including universities involved in UBEL. 

OLIve is looking for graduate students to work as volunteer tutors with OLIve students during 2023-2024.  

Tutors spend time initially learning about the OLIve programme, and completing enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks and safeguarding training. They then work in pairs, online, tutoring around five students each. They support OLIve students in finding university courses, applying to UCAS, writing personal statements, and researching and applying for scholarships.  They may also attend in-person meetings with local OLIve students.  The time commitment is around one to two hours a week.

If you’d like to hear more about OLive, and what OLive tutoring involves, please email the UoB coordinator Corinne Squire Corinne.squire@bristol.ac.uk