Thank you,
for everything
you do

Emillie (Social Work 2024)

Thank you for the scholarship that made it financially possible for me to study at Leeds. I can’t tell you what it means to be writing this new chapter. To be thinking of things like saving for a holiday, a house and looking forward to the first Christmas of our new ‘normal’. None of it would be possible without you.

Three years ago I was a single parent. I was on benefits with a young baby. Each month, I was looking at the bills coming in and picking one I wasn’t going to pay just so we could afford to eat. I’d grown up in poverty and I didn’t want that to be our future, so I applied for a scholarship to Leeds. I couldn’t believe it when I got it. Suddenly, that huge financial barrier standing between me and my ambition to become a social worker had gone. Getting a degree, even with all the costs and responsibilities of being a mum, was now just about possible.

This year, I graduated with a degree in Social Care from Leeds and have just secured my first job role. I can't wait to start supporting other people and making a difference to their lives, as you have to mine.

Makeen (Medicine and Surgery 2024)

My drive to become a surgeon was inspired by my experiences of the war in Syria. As a refugee, it’s something I may never have had the chance to achieve if it wasn’t for my scholarship to study at Leeds, thanks to donors like you. It’s made a huge difference to my life and ambitions. Academically, it meant I could afford revision resources and do extra courses, which have helped my grades and will undoubtedly benefit my CV.

I have spent an absolutely priceless seven weeks at a state-of-the-art spinal research lab in Rhode Island and one week shadowing one of the world’s most important orthopaedic surgeons in Florida. I could never have done this without your support: the backing to afford travel, accommodation and living costs. These eight weeks will, hopefully, be the kind of experience that gives me a real chance of becoming a spinal surgeon in future.

I'll be starting as a junior doctor in August, and I hope to go into spine research and achieve my dream of becoming a surgeon. Your help extends far beyond the day, month or year you provide it, thank you for everything you've helped me accomplish so far and all I do in the future.

Josh (3rd Year Politics and Parliamentary Studies)

My scholarship has allowed me to study without the stresses I’ve faced through childhood and adolescence. Knowing I have the support of donors like you has also given me a great sense of belonging. Most importantly, being free to focus on my studies has helped me get the grades to change to the Politics with Parliamentary Studies course after Year 1, which has been transformative.

As part of the course, I did a placement with Rachel Reeves’ team. It was an amazing experience: managing Rachel’s inbox, corresponding with MPs, constituents and businesses, and assisting with briefings and policy research.

The placement has given me an even deeper motivation to succeed, especially as Rachel has now become the UK’s first ever female Chancellor. After graduation, I hope to apply to the Civil Service Fast Stream. My end goal is to be a policy advisor and help to shape policy decisions which will have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. My mum and I can’t thank you enough for helping me follow my dream at Leeds.

Natasha (4th Year Financial Mathematics)

Education has always been a top priority for me, it provided a form of escapism from my difficult home life growing up, and mental health issues which I later experienced as a young adult.

However, I rushed into applying for a university course which didn't meet my needs, and I soon dropped out. I became a young mother and took on agency work, which gave me a new perspective on life and made me realise what I really wanted to do - financial mathematics! But the thought of going back to university felt stressful...

Leeds was able to offer me a place on my chosen course, allowing me the flexibility and financial security to support me with childcare. As a beneficiary of the Plus Programme - which is partly funded by alumni and donors like you - I was introduced to the Lifelong Learning Centre as well as webinars and seminars on careers and how best to support myself financially.

Thanks to you, I have had time to focus on my career and internship opportunities, landing a placement right here at Leeds in the Vice Chancellor's office, which has been a challenging, but truly fulfilling experience.

Leeds Mentoring Scheme

The Leeds Next Steps Mentoring Scheme is another way in which The Plus Programme provides students with bespoke 1:1 support and guidance on how to achieve their career aspirations. This offers scholars the chance to develop skills and boost their confidence, by benefiting from the advice of Leeds alumni.

This year, 345 students participated in the Mentoring Scheme, demonstrating the importance of alumni support through volunteering as well as giving directly to a scholarship.