News
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Bursary a 'crucial lifeline' for Michael
Two years ago Michael Shillingford was homeless, jobless, and surviving on food served by a local hostel. Now – thanks to a life-changing bursary – the 21-year-old is in the second year of a law degree at Nottingham Trent University and well on his way to realising his dream of becoming a barrister.
Michael’s circumstances made him eligible for a substantial accommodation bursary aimed at students at risk of being unable to go on to university because of extreme hardship. The Foyer-UNIAID Accommodation Bursary Scheme enabled him to live almost cost-free at the University’s Gill Street residence during his first year at Nottingham Law School.
The University was the first institution to provide accommodation through the bursary and has embedded the scheme as part of its Office for Fair Access (OFFA) agreement, which exists to promote and safeguard fair access to higher education.
Michael, who is now living with friends in Nottingham, became homeless aged 17 and found himself living in various hostels across the city. It was while staying at the Karibu Foyer in New Basford – which supports vulnerable young people towards independent living, learning and work – that he managed to complete three A-levels and secure his place at Nottingham Trent University.
The Foyer Federation and students’ charity UNIAID launched the bursary scheme in 2004 with a gift from UNITE, the UK’s largest provider of student hospitality and accommodation.
“There was no way I would have been able to afford student accommodation without the Foyer-UNIAID bursary. It was absolutely crucial, a lifeline when I needed it most,” said Michael, who hopes to study for a Bar Vocational Course when he completes his final year.
He added: “Accommodation is one of the biggest costs endured by students while at university, but I’ve been able to concentrate on my studies without that added stress – it was also essential in helping me to get my finances back on track. It is so important that students and prospective students look around for bursaries and grant schemes as there is a lot of funding out there which can often go unclaimed.”
Sally Olohan, Head of Student Support Services at Nottingham Trent University, said: “The University is very pleased to be involved in the Foyer-UNIAID Accommodation Bursary Scheme. Michael’s achievements provide clear evidence of the very real need for a scheme that provides an important contribution in supporting vulnerable students to make a successful transition into higher education.”
Alistair Lomax, CEO of UNIAID, said: “This scheme is a real team effort, made possible with the fantastic support of UNITE, the Foyer Federation and Nottingham Trent University. I’m excited by the thought of what Michael might do in the future and how much better the world will be if he, and others like him, are able to realise their potential.”
Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of The Foyer Federation said, “The Foyer Federation develops new approaches to supporting young people in their transition to independent adulthood. We are proud to work with UNIAID and the Unite Group Plc on this scheme which provides such a tangible support to students.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: The 2008/09 application process for the bursary scheme is open until 3 March 2008 at www.uniaid.org.uk/bursaries. There are 60 bursaries available in 13 cities.
The Foyer Federation develops and encourages new approaches to supporting young people at risk as they make their transition to independent adulthood. It works mainly through a network of over 100 accredited Foyers who provide accommodation linked with education, training, health and other services to around 10,000 young people a year.
The Foyer Federation is now exploring how the holistic Foyer approach can be stretched and targeted to improve services for those young people whose journey to adulthood is particularly difficult; e.g. care leavers, young offenders and other vulnerable young adults.
For further information contact Laura Parker on +44 (0)20 7430 2212.
For more on the Foyer Federation visit http://www.foyer.net/mpn/.
For more on the Foyer-UNIAID Accommodation Bursary Scheme visit http://www.foyer.net/mpn/story.php?sid=1444.
UNIAID is an independent national charity that aims to help students cope with financial hurdles to higher education with accommodation bursaries and online tools. For more information visit www.uniaid.org.uk.
For more on UNITE visit www.unite-group.co.uk / www.unite-students.com.
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on +44 (0)115 848 8782, or email dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk.
Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on +44 (0)115 848 8774, or email therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
