Be a part of our strong community

“The opportunity to network and share best practice with like-minded practitioners who have a shared aim is empowering.”

As the largest membership organisation dedicated to widening access in the United Kingdom, NEON has over 130 organisational members, including over 100 higher education providers. Being a part of NEON not only demonstrates your organisation’s ongoing commitment to widening access to higher education, but it also connects you to a community that is making tangible impact. In 2021-22, almost 80 percent of entrants into higher education from low participation neighbourhoods went to NEON member higher education providers. Our members continue to benefit from access to free and discounted NEON events and enhanced networking and knowledge sharing opportunities, all contributing to improvements in widening access and participation.

Getting your voice heard

“NEON represents us.”

With a new government now in place NEON remain committed to working with policymakers and other sector bodies to ensure widening access remains a key issue across the United Kingdom. Our research and advocacy have already shaped the national debate, with our work being quoted on the floors of both the House of Commons and the Lords and featured in the Guardian, Observer, Daily Express, the Economist, the BBC and the New Statesman, as well as WONKHE, Times Higher Education, and University World News.

As a NEON member, there are also ample opportunities for you to get your voice heard and influence national policy and practice. All staff members in your organisation can:

• Lead or join any of our NEON Working Groups for free to shape the national agenda across the widening access landscape;
• Contribute to our research and to NEON reports;
• Enjoy exclusive participation in the NEON Awards, which spotlight and give recognition to your work.

 Supporting your development

“The sharing of knowledge, practice and ideas with peers in the field is invaluable and allows for further development and innovation.”

“The Symposium, training offer and NEON News have all enhanced knowledge and networks to improve our practices.”  

Since NEON was formed over 13,000 colleagues have taken part in our professional development programme including Access Academy Training, NEON Summits or Supporting Practice events, NEON Professional and our annual Summer Symposium. We give your organisation access to high quality development opportunities as well as the opportunity to hear from key voices from both policy and across the higher education sector. Our newsletter NEON News also provides weekly updates on the widening access landscape to an unlimited number of staff in your organisation, helping your team stay abreast of policy developments and key sector updates.

NEW for 2026

NEON’s website will be undergoing a major redesign. We will develop a new searchable database of practice which will include:

• Presentations from NEON events
• Case studies from member institutions
• NEON Blogs

This database will be exclusively available to members via a password and will help members to develop their own innovative practice and share what works with other NEON members. We want to ensure that ideas are shared across our network and see this as a key way to support our members.

We will have three levels of membership

• Gold (new for 2026)
• Silver (previously known as Premium)
• Standard

In addition to Standard membership benefits, Gold members receive:

• Up to two free places on every online Supporting Practice and Access and Success Academy session. Please note that NEON Access and Success Academy sessions have limited places available and early booking is essential.
• Additional spaces available at a 25% discount on the price for standard members
• 25% discount on NEON Professional Courses
• 25% discount on NEON Summer Symposium
• Priority booking for any free NEON events
• Priority access to any research opportunities or activities

In addition to Standard membership benefits, Silver members receive:

Three event credits which can be used as either payment or part payment for NEON events (minimum value £149 each).