A Leeds scholar credits the support he received at University as giving him the freedom to break away from a troubled past.

"Leeds opened a door to a life where my dreams and ambitions are suddenly possible.”

Charlie Williams (MA Political Communication 2024) says his time at University gave him the freedom to break away from a troubled past.

The graduate from Weston-super-Mare was able to pursue his Masters thanks to the generosity of donors: “The time I’ve spent in Leeds has been one of the happiest periods of my life.” 

The relative comfort and security afforded to Charlie at Leeds is a far cry from his adolescence: “During my A-levels we were made homeless and forced into temporary emergency accommodation. I couldn’t afford a computer either so it was really difficult.” 

Charlie’s family struggled to make ends meet. His father worked as a butcher and slaughterman, until he lost his job as a result of the 2008 financial crash. “He did security work, but got deep into debt, and in the meantime my mother’s health deteriorated,” Charlie says. 

With Charlie’s parents unable to keep up with payments on their mortgage, the house was repossessed and the family evicted, forcing them to move into a series of poorly maintained rental properties. “All my life I’ve lived in houses which needed work doing to them. One year, my mum asked what I’d like for Christmas and I said skirting boards. 

“We were in extreme poverty and always had to rely on financial top-ups. The question of whether to heat or eat was genuinely a daily choice.” 

Charlie’s education was further hampered by attending an under-performing school and the need to take on caring responsibilities for both his mother and brother, who each have long-term health conditions.  

Despite the challenges, Charlie thrived in his studies, driven by the ambition to become a journalist. He achieved a place to study Multimedia Journalism at the University of Essex, where he was supported by a scholarship. As part of the course, he studied for exams run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He achieved the gold standard – their highest award – to go alongside the First he achieved in his degree.  

Charlie secured his first full-time job, writing for local newspapers the Weston Mercury and North Somerset Times. And though this time coincided with swingeing cuts to the workforce, he became a well-known face on the streets: “I was on my own and writing for two newspapers in my home town. It was hard work but still fun, and I made some great contacts with people around the town.” 

The Unboxed Festival – a government-funded celebration of post-Brexit Britain – provided Charlie with his biggest story. An exhibition intended as a tourist attraction was continually delayed, and only unveiled after Weston’s summer season ended. His investigative articles exposed the poor returns for the amount spent on the project: “I’m quite proud of the work I did on that. It was picked up by ITV and the Times, but one or two councillors didn’t like it.” 

Despite revelling in the role, Charlie harboured ambitions for further study, and saved from his wages to help fund a postgraduate course. Two years on, he enrolled on an MA in Political Communications at Leeds. 

“Only four universities offer this course, and part of the reason I chose Leeds was because of the Masters scholarships which are available to students from less privileged backgrounds. I actually got two scholarships at Leeds as well as the government loan, so I didn’t need to worry about the things I would normally be concerned about, such as eating and paying rent. 

“I felt really privileged to be offered this opportunity. The course went well, and because I already had a background in journalism and politics it was really stimulating.” 

As for the future, Charlie is keeping his options open: “I would love to go back into journalism at some point, ideally on a national newspaper. Alternatively, I’d love to work with government as an advisor.” 

He’s already taken his first steps into public life, being elected as a town councillor in Weston. Characteristically he plays down the achievement: “It’s a safe Labour seat, with the lowest turnout in the country. We live in the ward, so I was able to take my mum and sister to the polling booth. But it’s my chance to try to make life better for other people.” 

He looks back with gratitude at the support he’s received: “There was a time when I doubted if it was worth going to university, but I’m so glad that I did – and it would have been impossible without the support I’ve received. 

“It is entirely due to the generosity of the donors who supported me. I can now look forward to a life that I was never allowed as a child. Through donors’ financial support, money is now no longer a barrier to people like me studying. If I ever come into money I would like to do the same for someone else. 

Find out more about the support we offer to students, through the generosity of our donors.