Learning Away is delighted to announce that Kim Somerville has joined the team as the new Campaign Coordinator to ensure a lasting legacy for the Learning Away programme through the promotion of ‘brilliant residentials’ to schools, providers and the wider public policy debate. The post forms part of a further two years ‘legacy’ funding provided by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, awarded to the newly developed Learning Away Consortium.

Kim started working with the Consortium in early May, following a varied career in marketing and communications within the education sector, most recently as the Director of Marketing & Communications at Leeds Trinity University.

Peter Carne, Learning Away Advisor commented:

“It is fantastic that the PHF legacy funding has enabled the Learning Away consortium to appoint a Campaign Coordinator. Kim will work closely with all of the organisations involved in the consortium to share the key findings and recommendations of the Learning Away programme with many more heads, teachers, governors, parents and residential providers across the UK.”

In response, Kim Somerville said:

“I was blown away when I read the compelling research gathered through the Learning Away programme. I am passionate about creating opportunities for young people to succeed and I am honoured to be working with so many knowledgeable people across the residential learning sector. It is exciting to be coordinating a campaign which will help more young people access residentials and improve the quality of the residential provision”.

Commenting on the appointment, Elaine Skates, Chief Executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), the lead organisation in the Learning Away Consortium said:

“We are extremely fortunate to have Kim’s campaigning expertise on board to help the Learning Away consortium raise wider awareness of the benefits of residential experiences for young people. Kim’s background will undoubtedly support us in our quest to ensure a lasting legacy for the Learning Away programme.”

Kim holds an MA in Applied Research Consultancy from Lancaster University and a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Kim’s early career began in a Market Research Agency working for a range of national clients. She subsequently became the Marketing Manager at Leeds University Union, one of the largest Students’ Unions in the country and a charity with 30,000 student members. The role had a strong focus on coordinating campaigns to help to improve the student experience and enhance the Union facilities. For the past eight years she has been the Director of Marketing & Communications at Leeds Trinity University, with responsibility for a range of campaigns to grow student applications and enhance the reputation of a new university in national and international markets. A large proportion of the role included working in partnership with schools to raise aspirations and progression to university and included setting up the Leeds Children’s University.

Kim lives in Leeds with her husband and two young daughters, together the family loves exploring the outdoors, museums and galleries.

The Learning Away campaign will launch in September 2016 and will use a range of methods to promote the value of high quality residentials including:

• Social media;
• Press and media coverage;
• Attendance at events and conferences.

If you would like to support and/or find out more about the campaign, please contact Kim by email at learningaway@clotc.org.uk or tweet her via @LearningAway.