University tutors in east London are tapping into the enthusiasm of students who are the first in their family to go to university.

They are running a new ‘life skills’ programme at London University’s Queen Mary College in Mile End to get the undergraduates together with teenagers in their neighbourhoods.

The programme co-ordinated by the National Children’s Bureau charity aims to encourage them to help youngsters aged 14 to 17 to improve their confidence and opportunities.

The charity’s Sophie Wood said: “It brings ‘first generation’ students who are the first in their families to be in higher education into contact with youngsters to inspire them to make positive choices in life.”

The undergraduates benefit by gaining first-hand experience of how to develop a sustainable volunteering project.