Education and Training Bursaries: Changing Lives
2022 saw the introduction of the Glenkens & District Education and Training Fund which aims to improve access to opportunity and to improve livelihoods.
A range of costs can be supported, including course fees where these cannot be paid for from other sources, and support costs like travel, subsistence, accommodation and childcare.
Thirty four awards were made between 1st of September 2022 and 31st August of 2023, committing a total of £47,228. Analysis of the awards made to date shows that around two thirds of the sub fund benefits local young people aged 16 to 25 and a further third of the beneficiaries were aged between 26–65.
Half of the awards made related to support costs linked to taking up the opportunity to become a university undergraduate away from home, and a third related to short courses, mostly focused on learning new skills or building on existing skills to increase employability.
Forty five awards were made between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024, and the awards totalled £60,782, an increase of 28% on the previous year. Approximately two thirds of the awards supported young people up to the age of 25 and a further third of the beneficiaries were aged between 26+ which was in line with the ages supported in 2022-23.
How the Education and Training Fund Can Help: Anna’s story
“I requested funding to cover travel expenses whilst I undertook a Return to Practice nursing course at university. This was because having worked in third sector and social care services since I originally graduated 10 years ago, I had let my nursing registration lapse as I hadn't required it. I decided that now my children were older I would like to pursue my original plan to work within Children and Adolescent Mental Health.
The Return to Practice course arranged for me to do my required 450 practice hours in Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary. As a single mum, with no other means of income, the drop in wages I needed to take in order to complete this training was significant and was jeopardising my ability to undertake the course. However the grant I received via the Education and Training fund meant the heavy burden of travel expenses throughout the course was significantly alleviated enough that it meant I could afford to do it. I am now delighted to say I completed all the required academic and practice elements of the course and have re-registered as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. I was also, subsequently offered, a full time position within the Dumfries and Galloway Child and Adolescent Mental Health team. I could not have done this without the kind financial assistance I received.”
How the Education and Training Fund Can Help: Rebecca's story
Rebecca is a former High School student from the Glenkens, who has successfully completed her dental training with the support of an Education & Training grant. Beginning her career as a dental nurse, Rebecca discovered her passion for health and dentistry and progressively advanced her qualifications, first achieving a BSc in Oral Health Sciences with distinction to become a Dental Therapist.
The Glenkens & District Education & Training Fund provided important support during the final year of dental school, helping offset increased living costs and enabling the purchase of essential study equipment. The grant proved particularly valuable as government COVID-19 measures extended her training by twelve months, adding unexpected financial pressure during a period of rising energy costs.
Rebecca now works as an NHS dentist and has already joined several professional bodies, including the British Dental Association and the Royal Colleges. She plans to pursue additional qualifications to become a dentist with special interests and hopes to contribute to dental education in the future.