Posted: 25/10/11
Charity’s cash bursary to aid hard-up students
A charitable foundation has launched a cash bursary scheme designed to support needy students in Ashfield.
The Inspire and Achieve Foundation was launched in 2008 by Vision West Notts principal and chief executive Asha Khemka OBE to raise the aspirations and achievements of disadvantaged young people.
It is now hoping to support individual learners at the Vision West Notts Ashfield campus with an annual cash sum of up to £1,000.
The Foundation has pledged to provide a bursary for six students at the Ashfield campus worth £30 per week. In addition, successful applicants for the bursary could secure a £200 bonus for excellent attendance and achievement throughout their course, together with one-to-one mentoring from members of the Foundation and supporting organisations.
Students who feel they would benefit from the bursary to support the cost of food, transport and other day-to-day needs have been asked to submit their statements of need to a judging panel made up of trustees of the Foundation.
The successful six students will be revealed in November after shortlisted candidates undergo interviews with a trustee and a member of one of the sponsoring organisations which includes Vision West Notts, the University of Nottingham and the college's Students’ Union.
Learners at the Ashfield campus, in Huthwaite Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, study on tailor-made vocational programmes which meet the educational needs of young people not in work, education or training, or lack the confidence to access the college’s mainstream provision.
Mrs Khemka said: “Myself and trustees of the Foundation felt that the bursary would be a very effective way to support young people in the Ashfield area. It will be a worthwhile and creative exercise for the learners to put forward their own statements detailing exactly why they feel they should be awarded the bursary.
“It will be young people like these that the Foundation will continue to fund and support and pave the way for their future social and educational development.
“I’m delighted to have been generously supported by local organisations who have stepped up to sponsor local young people in this way and we’re looking forward to receiving the applications from our young achievers and helping them financially and motivationally.”
