A former Lincoln College student has overcome a challenging home life to win a bursary of £1,500 from the Helena Kennedy Foundation, set up to support students going from college to university.

Sophie Wilson from Lincoln completed her A-Levels and achieved a National Diploma in Performing Arts before gaining a place at De Monfort University where she is currently studying dance.

She managed to do all this despite her mother being unable to work for over five years owing to a medical condition which meant she received little financial support throughout that difficult period.

“I received an email from the foundation initially telling me I’d narrowly missed out on a bursary, and then about a week later I received a second email saying that because of additional funding they were able to give me one,” explained Sophie.

“I was over the moon when I found out as I’ve been struggling to make ends meet despite having a part-time job. I’m going to use the bursary to pay for dance equipment and books which I need for my course.

“My mum helps me as much as she can and although she’s currently working unfortunately she is being made redundant soon. This money has come at the right time and I’m very grateful to the foundation for their support.”

The Helena Kennedy Foundation was established 15 years ago in Baroness Kennedy’s name to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds that have progressed from further education colleges into higher education.

Sophie was one of 104 students to receive a bursary of £1,500 to help cover the costs of university study, as well as ongoing guidance and training from the foundation, during a ceremony at the House of Lords.

Speaking at the event, Baroness Kennedy said: “Our bursary holders are truly inspirational people and it is an honour to witness and support their rise to success. I am delighted to have presented these students with one of our awards in acknowledgment of their achievements at university.

“Life is all about learning new things; each awarded student has shown fortitude and determination in taking the next step in their life.”

Dr Ann Limb, Founder and Chair of Trustees, said: “We know there are so many talented people out there who have the ability to succeed in higher education but still miss out on the opportunity.

“Making the leap from college to university can be a big step and our foundation works with colleges across the UK to support students to overcome real disadvantage.  We are determined to continue to invest in talent, reward hard work and believe in the potential of education to transform lives.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• The Helena Kennedy Foundation was founded in 1998 by Dr Ann Limb to take forward recommendations from Learning Works, the report by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, the President of the Foundation. The charity, based near Old Street in London, provides bursaries, mentoring and work placements to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress from further education colleges into higher education.

• Lincoln College is the largest educational institution in the county with 10,000 students across three campuses in Lincoln, Gainsborough and Newark.

• It is the largest provider of business training and skills in Lincolnshire and provides training for around 1,200 businesses in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

• The college is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and has a huge range of full, part-time and short courses for students aged 16 and above including university-level courses.

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