A Network of Hope alumna, Mary Olanrewaju, founded the Manchester-based charity Equal Education Chances after graduating with a degree in Education with SEN.
Mary always knew that she wanted to go into a career where she was able to help others. Starting in education, she decided to take those valuable skills and help children with disabilities to thrive in their educational environments locally and in her home country of Nigeria.
Mary studied at Holy Cross College as part of the Network of Hope. The Network aims to offer flexible, higher education courses to communities which would otherwise not have access to this provision. Juggling a job and family life, this was the ideal route for Mary as she decided to upskill as a mature student.
On the aims of her charity, Mary said: “Our charity is powered by the dedication of our volunteer staff, including five team members based in Nigeria. To benefit from our support, children must be in school, as we strongly believe education is the gateway to opportunity.
“We employ tutors to deliver vocational training in schools, covering skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, catering and event decorating, arts and crafts. These are not just hobbies—they are transferable skills that can empower young people with disabilities to create their own job opportunities and become self-reliant.
“Some of our key projects in Nigeria include ‘1 Book 1 Child’, which promotes literacy, book and stationery distribution drives, and our annual hygiene workshop, where we raise awareness about oral and menstrual hygiene. We also host Disability Awareness Day, advocating for inclusion and dismantling stigma.
“We collaborate closely with schools, local authorities, and village chiefs to ensure our work reaches those most in need. Every Christmas, we host a festive party for the children we support. The entire community is invited to enjoy art and craft exhibitions, Christmas carols, and a shared celebration that showcases the talents and joy of these remarkable young people.”
Mary was invited back to Holy Cross College to talk to current students about her journey. The event formed part of the celebrations of the Network’s 25-year anniversary.
Mary added: “I had plans to do some humanitarian work when my children were older and more independent, but I never really considered SEN. After getting a job in a SEN college as a teaching assistant, it sparked up a curiosity within me. I was amazed at the support and the resources available and that was it, I decided to go to university. I really needed to study SEN and find out what it was all about.
“I always had an interest in education and helping others. The universities I looked at did not offer me the flexibility I was looking for because I was working and had young children. Liverpool Hope University offered me that. I was able to study and continue my work. It was just what I needed as a working-class mother. The lecturers understood us and that makes a big difference. I would like to go back to university and study a masters and maybe even a PhD.”
Since graduating from Liverpool Hope University, Mary has authored an inclusive educational resource titled The Bridge. This inclusive tool is designed for parents, educators, schools, and policymakers, aiming to ensure that children living with disabilities are engaged, educated, and empowered in a safe, accessible, and supportive learning environment.
The Bridge provides practical strategies, inclusive activities, and culturally relevant case studies that promote equity in education and support the development of every child's potential, regardless of ability. It encourages collaboration between families, schools, and communities, offering guidance on inclusive teaching practices, differentiated learning, and accessible classroom environments.
Mary offered words of advice to others thinking of embarking on a university programme, saying: “Success comes with hard work. Everybody who is successful today has failed over and over and over. But they did not give up, so that’s what I’d say to others; just do it.”