Bursary Fund boosts career prospects

‘Bursary Fund becomes a life changing experience for Marsh Farm Resident’ Moving to Marsh Farm has been a life changing experience for one resident and for all the right reasons.

Six years ago Jackie Palmer, 39 moved to Marsh Farm from London. For some time she had wanted to develop her career working with children and find a job where she could make a real difference to the lives of young people. Jackie had already undertaken a counselling course and was working in schools as a learning mentor but she knew that the career path she wanted to take meant studying for further and high qualifications.

The enthusiasm was there but as a single mum with two young sons and a full time job there was no way which she could finance the required university course.

“I had pretty well accepted that for the foreseeable future there was no way that I would be able to do this”, said Jackie. “I didn’t want to commit to a university course knowing that I would be constantly worrying if I would be able to fund it and meet all the extra costs such as books and travel, so I had no choice but to put my career development on the back burner. Then a couple of years ago, out of the blue, a leaflet came through my door saying that the Marsh Farm Development Trust had a bursary scheme that would give financial help to local residents who wanted to further their career."

Reading it I couldn’t believe my luck and made an appointment to meet with the Bursary Fund Manager Saleh Ahmed at the CERC building. From word go I received nothing but positive help, support and encouragement. It wasn’t just a case of handing over money but talking through what I wanted to achieve and the best way of doing it, making me really think this through and what studying would mean for me and my family.

My application was successful and the bursary has paid for my course fees and provided ongoing support and friendship. With their help I went into my degree fully informed, with my eyes open and I have loved every minute.

I am now coming to the end of my second year BA (Hons) in Childcare and Adolescent Studies at the University of Bedfordshire and fingers crossed am well on track to a first class degree and the career I have always wanted.”

The Marsh Farm Community Development Trust Bursary project was launched in November 2007 to help residents to improve their employment prospects. It runs in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and can be used for tuition and exam fees for higher and further education, apprenticeships, training, travel costs and work related equipment. Applicants must be over 16, unemployed or on low pay.

For more information contact Parveen Mirza on 01582 512555