A charity founder who has supported thousands of disadvantaged young people to achieve success in their education has been made an honorary fellow of University College Birmingham.

Dr Rachel Carr OBE, founder and CEO of IntoUniversity, a registered charity that provides children and young people with a safe space to learn, develop vital skills and gain experience in the world of work, received the honour at today's graduation ceremonies at Birmingham Symphony Hall. 

Inspired by her parents, who left school aged 14 and did not have the opportunity for further study, her first-hand experience of the inequality of opportunity brought by poverty instilled her with a desire to help others.

Encouraged by a primary school teacher whose advice and support she treasures to this day, Rachel studied for her undergraduate and master’s degrees in English Language and Literature at King’s College London.

She then went on to complete a PhD, in which she explored themes of access to higher education in Victorian literature before working as a 
senior lecturer at University of West London between 1990 and 2000.

On receiving her honorary fellowship, Rachel said: "I'm so excited to be awarded this. It's such a privilege and an honour to be recognised in this way. This is the first time I have received a fellowship too, so that's incredibly special for me."