Lauren's Story

The Durham Inspired North East scholarship was established to support access to Durham for talented students from low-income backgrounds. Thanks to donor funding, 11 students benefit each year. Below, Lauren describes the difference receiving a scholarship has made to her.

Overcoming challenges

Despite becoming a carer at just 14, Lauren’s love of learning inspired her to work hard at school and she was delighted to secure a place at Durham to study BA Education. 

As a first generation student from a low income household, Lauren was awarded a Durham Inspired North East Scholarship to support her while she studies.

"I absolutely fell in love with learning and decided a key aspiration in my life would be to keep helping children, keep creating safe environments and to provide what I didn't have for a lot of my own childhood."

"Truthfully, I did not think I would make it into Durham let alone receive a scholarship for it.  Durham became my dream university because the education department is so advanced and it offers an in-depth SEND module that other universities didn't which I was desperate to study." 

Enjoying student life

The scholarship not only helped Lauren with the cost of living crisis, it has allowed her to embrace student life and extra-curricular activities.

"This scholarship has enabled me to not worry about travel costs to placements and to take up a sign language class (Level 1 BSL) which I hope will help me to better communicate with some of the children I work with.

I also participate in societies like DUCKS and 93% club where I can advocate for people like me in higher education and meet like-minded friends."

Through the Winter Scholarships appeal, we aim to raise £16,000 to fund an extra Durham Inspired North East Scholarship next academic year.

By making a gift you can help another student like Lauren. All gifts, no matter the size, will help us reach our goal of changing another life for the better next year.