Mum handed £2,500 bursary after Highbury College studies while caring for son

Louise Lee from Highbury College has won a bursary from the Helena Kennedy Foundation

Students Louise Lee, 37, Katie Harris and Marley Baker completed studies at Highbury College and have each been awarded £2,250 bursaries by the Helena Kennedy Foundation.

Louise, from North End, studied Health and Human Sciences while providing 24-hour care for her eldest son Joel, 15, who is unable to communicate.

Louise said: 'When I found out I had won the award it was such a life-affirming moment that I had made the right choice to pursue my dreams.

‘Despite all the hardships I had faced in my life, you should never write yourself off.’

Louise has now gone on to study psychology at the University of Portsmouth.

She added: ‘The real prize of being part of the Helena Kennedy Foundation is all the support I will receive during and after my degree.

‘I know that having them on my side will open doors to me, for example, when I come to apply for my masters I want to work with Oxford University and also the Anna Freud Centre in London. Things I never imagined possible.’

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Katie, 26, has also gone on to university in the city studying social work, while Marley, 20, is now studying International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Bournemouth University after completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism.

Penny Wycherley, interim principal at the college, said: ‘We understand that some students need a helping hand, whether that be financial, personal or emotional, and organisations like the Helena Kennedy Foundation provide invaluable support to those who otherwise might miss out.’

HKF trustee at the university, Mark Cooper, said: ‘We look forward to following and supporting Louise and Katie as they progress through their courses.’

The foundation mentors, supports, and provides bursaries to disadvantaged students to help them with their further studies at university and successfully move into employment.

Chief executive Dr Julie Mills OBE said: ‘A HKF bursary provides some financial support and over and above the bursary we bring together the talents and networks of our supporters and alumni to ensure every single student achieves their full potential.’