{"id":5575,"date":"2025-07-28T08:45:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T07:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/?p=5575"},"modified":"2025-07-25T15:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:15:40","slug":"js-group-named-finalist-in-the-somo-awards-tech-for-social-mobility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/news-and-views\/news\/js-group-named-finalist-in-the-somo-awards-tech-for-social-mobility\/","title":{"rendered":"JS Group Named Finalist in the SOMO Awards \u2013 Tech for Social Mobility"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-5575\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-5575-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-5575-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>We\u2019re absolutely thrilled to share that <strong>JS Group has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Social Mobility (SOMO) Awards<\/strong>, in the <strong>Tech for Social Mobility<\/strong> category.<\/p>\n<p>This recognition means a great deal to all of us at JS Group because it sits right at the heart of our mission: <strong>transforming the delivery and impact of financial support so that more students can access, participate in, continue and thrive at university.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Every day, through our Aspire platform, we work alongside universities to help them get vital funding to students quickly, safely and in ways that make a measurable difference. This isn\u2019t just about making payments \u2013 it\u2019s about getting the right support, whether that be cash, credit or emergency food vouchers to those in need in time to achieve favourable outcomes. It\u2019s about supporting social mobility, access, participation and retention for students who might otherwise face barriers or drop out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-5575-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter wp-image-5574\" src=\"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/somo-finalists-2025-banner.jpg\" alt=\"somo finalists 2025 banner\" width=\"400\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/somo-finalists-2025-banner.jpg 1246w, https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/somo-finalists-2025-banner-293x300.jpg 293w, https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/somo-finalists-2025-banner-1000x1024.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/somo-finalists-2025-banner-768x786.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-5575-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-5575-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3>We see this impact through our partnerships, such as:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-5575-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-5575-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li><strong>University College Birmingham, <\/strong>where Aspire has ensured students can \u2018stay the course\u2019 and transformed access, retention and outcomes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UA92, <\/strong>where Aspire has been a game changer in enabling students to manage their own finances better.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Teesside University<\/strong>, where Aspire is used to <em>level up digital access<\/em> and enable all students to access course\u2011related resources without the usual financial barriers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>University of West London (UWL)<\/strong>, where Aspire powers an integrated, student\u2011centric ecosystem delivering bursaries, scholarships, hardship funds and special payments \u2013 from graduation gown hire to interview travel \u2013 all through a single, joined\u2011up process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-5575-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>These are just a few examples alongside many others showcased in our partner success stories, but they capture why this work matters. Aspire is about making sure the right support reaches the right student at the right time \u2013 in the form that will help them most.<\/p>\n<p><strong>To be recognised in these awards is not just an honour, it\u2019s a reflection of the passion and dedication of everyone in our team and of the forward\u2011thinking universities we partner with.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are excited to celebrate this milestone together and to keep pushing forward in our work to help transform lives through impactful and efficient financial support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-5575-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-5575-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-5575-3-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Peter Gray, CEO &amp; Chairman of JS Group, says:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cBeing named a finalist in the SOMO Awards is a very proud moment for JS Group. It recognises not only the innovation behind our Aspire platform but, more importantly, the impact it is having on students\u2019 lives every day. Our mission has always been to remove barriers and enable students to thrive, and this acknowledgement reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of the universities we partner with. Together, we are proving that Aspire can be a true force for good in higher education.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-5575-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-5575-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-5575-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>#SOMO #SocialMobility #Aspire #HigherEducation #StudentSupport #TechForGood #PaymentsWithPurpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re absolutely thrilled to share that JS Group has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Social Mobility (SOMO) Awards, in the Tech for Social Mobility category. This recognition means a great deal to all of us at JS Group because it sits right at the heart of our mission: transforming the delivery and<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" aria-label=\"JS Group Named Finalist in the SOMO Awards \u2013 Tech for Social Mobility\" href=\"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/news-and-views\/news\/js-group-named-finalist-in-the-somo-awards-tech-for-social-mobility\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5573,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"We\u2019re absolutely thrilled to share that JS Group has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Social Mobility (SOMO) Awards, in the Tech for Social Mobility category.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jsgroup.co.uk\/jsgmar26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}