Tutors United was created back in 2012 by our inspiring founder, Joel Buchanan, when he was just 17. Asked to tutor his younger cousin while struggling to find paid, meaningful work experience in the run-up to university, Joel set up TU to solve these twin problems – employing university students to give vital academic support to primary school children.

His model is still the bedrock of TU over a decade later, infused by Joel’s passionate, innovative spirit and his 10 years of leadership as CEO before stepping away in 2023. In many ways the world has changed, with major political, economic and technological shifts, exacerbated by the global pandemic. Yet the core need for accessible, community-based tuition – which couples educational support with employment and training, while bringing people together – remains stark. We’ve adapted to change and challenges, but stayed true to Joel’s vision and legacy, now reaching over 800 young people each year across London, the South, the Midlands and the East of England.