Aspire NI exists to work with children in Northern Ireland in poverty to help close the educational attainment gap that exists between rich and poor.
Aspire NI is a registered charity, in Northern Ireland with a mission to close the educational attainment gap that exists between rich and poor. Aspire's main programme, consists of 3 main services. Aspire Sessions, Aspire Academy and Camp Aspire. All these services are completely free of charge, to anyone on the Aspire programme.
Over the last 8 years at Aspire, the team has grown and we are able to provide far more now than we ever dreamed. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our partners and givers. Unfortunately, over the last 8 years, poverty levels have risen exponentially. Today in 2024, 103,400 children in Northern Ireland are living in poverty. When we began, this figure was only at 69,000. So now, more than ever, young people need our help and support.
At Aspire, we believe that where a child is born shouldn’t dictate their future. We believe that each child deserves an equal opportunity to achieve in school.
The Educational Attainment Gap, is the the gap that exists between rich and poor. If you are born in the UK, into a low-income family, you are less likely to achieve in school. This means you will have fewer employment opportunities. This means the cycle will continue from generation to generation.
Aspire NI has been able to grow into various areas across Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generous support of our monthly givers, corporate partners and funding. Without this generous support, Aspire NI would be unable to expand.
It is the goal of Aspire NI, to continue to grow, across all of Northern Ireland. If you are a business leader, Church leader, or would like to see more support in your town or city, in closing the Educational attainment gap. Please consider partnering with Aspire NI and we will utilise your funds, to continue to expand Aspire NI, across the country. Please, feel free, to reach
out to us directly, if you would like to explore this further.
Aspire NI as an organisation, consists mainly of 3 core elements. Aspire Sessions, Aspire Academy and Camp Aspire. Aspire NI’s main service, is Aspire Sessions. When a young person is enrolled in the Aspire Programme, they can avail of all that Aspire offers completely free of charge.
Aspire Sessions, we create a supportive and helpful learning environment for young people.
We run Aspire Academy because we believe that your parent's wage, should not limit your options in hobbies and skills.
The highlight of our year is our summer camp. This past summer, we had our 6th Camp Aspire. We had young people from both nationalist and unionist areas.
Aspire NI's impact has been recognised across the UK. Aspire was a winner of the CSJ award in 2022, which recognises and honours the best grassroots charities fighting poverty across the UK. Aspire, has been on a mission, to close the educational attainment gap that exists between rich and poor for 8 years. There are currently, 103k young people living in poverty in Northern Ireland.
Less than 50% of young people who are eligible for free school meals across the country achieve more than 5GCSEs at grade C or above. However, 89% of young people on the Aspire programme achieve 5 GCSEs at C Grade or above
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87% Young people participating in the Aspire programme achieve a grade C or above in more than five GCSE subjects. In contrast, fewer than 50% of those eligible for free school meals who are not on the Aspire programme, attain the same level of academic achievement.
350+ young people take part in the Aspire programme each week.
25+ Schools currently benefit weekly from the Aspire program.We hope to provide our service to more schools
