Fewer young people from the South West progress to university than in any other English region - and the region has some of the poorest outcomes for pupils in receipt of free school meals. On 11 September, at the University of Exeter, more than 100 delegates gathered for the inaugural Your Future Story conference. “A shared sense of belief and commitment to ensuring that young people in the South West have equitable access to opportunity. Now the real work begins.”In addition to providing funding, the University of Cambridge and Downing College will welcome visits from students in the region and offer online support through colleges with existing links to the South West. Tom Levinson, Head of Widening Participation, said: “This is a genuine collaboration between schools, trusts, charities, local authorities, universities and employers.