About Futureversity Tower Hamlets

Who are we?

Futureversity Tower Hamlets (previously known as Tower Hamlets Summer University) runs incredible free courses and volunteering opportunities in and around the borough of Tower Hamlets for 11- 25 year olds during the summer holidays. Run by the Futureversity team at our head office in Spitalfields, our programme is the original upon which the Futureversity model is based. Last year, we had 8,000 applications for 2,000 course places so be quick to sign up for 2010 courses!

Summer

2011 is our 16th year! We work closely with young people on our Futureversity Advisory Board (previously called Youth Ambassadors) to make sure we’re providing the most innovative and interesting courses out there.

New courses in 2010 included TV presenting, Intro to Chinese and Sports Leadership Award. From Cookery to Investment Banking to First Aid, there really was something for everyone! Our Youth Ambassadors recommended we increase the number of our most popular courses and accredited courses so we did! 46 courses were accredited and everyone who attended took away our special Futureversity certificate.

Our history

We were originally set up in 1995 as a crime prevention initiative in Tower Hamlets during the summer holidays. At that time, the BNP was winning support on the Isle of Dogs and youth crime was rife, especially during the summer holidays, when there was nothing to do. Lord Michael Young commissioned young people to go and ask their peers what theyd ideally like to do during this time. The answer was short, fun taster courses. Since then, our summer programme has gone from strength to strength and we now work with some of the most exciting partners and venues in Tower Hamlets, including businesses in Canary Wharf.

Partners

Our top notch partners work with us to deliver unique opportunities – including our fashion course with Burberry, marketing with HSBC and law with Allen & Overy. We offer an extraordinary chance to get into their exclusive buildings, meet staff and learn what it is really like to work in these professions – something you just don’t get at school or at university.

Peer Motivators

Our Peer Motivators help us manage our courses, tutors and venues. These dedicated young volunteers are trained to make sure the Futureversity experience is a memorable everyone. Find out more about becoming a Peer Motivator.