The GuildHE Widening Participation (WP) Network provides a dedicated space for professionals working across the WP agenda to connect, collaborate, and share expertise. Open to colleagues leading or contributing to widening access and participation initiatives, the network brings together those responsible for developing and delivering Access and Participation Plans (APPs), alongside practitioners working across outreach, student success, and progression.

Across the 2025/26 membership year, the GuildHE WP Network has explored a range of timely and strategic topics. These have included discussions on:

  • Policy, regulation, and sector uncertainty; 
  • Role of widening participation within the creative industries; and
  • Implications of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. 

Sessions have also examined internal challenges, such as building effective WP teams and institutional capacity, alongside more nuanced considerations of intersectionality and risk management in access and participation work.

This is the first in-person WP Network meeting for the 2025/26 membership year. The agenda will be shared at least 2 weeks before the meeting.

Available to GuildHE members (Full and Associate) only. To know more about GuildHE membership, please email [email protected]