YOUNG people, parents and school staff have told how a grant from Dorset Community Foundation’s bursary schemes helped Dorset students study at college to follow their career dreams.

The fund is open again for applications with grants available of up to £1,500 towards travel to college, laptops, equipment, tools or clothing, study trips or meals.

Last year the Bursary Scheme awarded more than £57,000 to support 95 students who face financial disadvantage, additional issues such as those with disabled parents, those with Special Educational Needs or those not living with parents or guardians.

Applicants must be 16 to 25, attending a vocational course, and be enrolled at Bournemouth and Poole College, Kingston Maurward College, Brockenhurst College, Bourne Academy, Blandford,  Weymouth College, Yeovil College, Wiltshire College or Beaminster School and Sir John Colfox Academy’s sixth forms.

The total also includes disadvantaged students studying STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) at Bournemouth and Poole, Bourne Academy or Brockenhurst College funded by the community foundation’s Superior STEM Bursary Fund, which is supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals.

Jack Hayward, 17, of Christchurch, received a £929 grant to study plastering at Bournemouth and Poole College. The grant paid for travel and equipment. “It would have been a real struggle for us to pay his travel because Jack’s stepdad Ian is being treated for cancer of the kidney and can’t work,” said his mum Nina.

“But the grant has made such a difference and has really helped Jack. He’s an SEN student and being at college has done wonders for him he has learnt some life skills and his confidence has grown. He’s a much more outgoing person now.”

The grant has made such a difference and has really helped Jack. He’s an SEN student and being at college has done wonders for him he has learnt some life skills and his confidence has grown. He’s a much more outgoing person now

Georgia Farmer from Christchurch used a £679 grant for a laptop and travel to Brockenhurst College, where she is studying art and design. She said her dad is single and couldn’t afford to buy her and her twin sister Abigail a laptop. “Having the laptop made things much easier for me because it meant I could work at home,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed my first year of college and the grant really helped.”

Three grants from the scheme have helped 19-year-old Bella Fryer attend a Skills For Working Life course at Kingston Maurward College to help her follow her dream of working outside with animals. Her mum is a carer for her dad, who is blind and hard of hearing and the grants have helped pay for a laptop, protective clothing, travel and meals at college.

Bella, who has ADHD, said: “I started off with no friends, now I have friends and we meet up in Bournemouth, which I would never have been able to do before starting my course. I have grown so much as a person and it’s all down to Kingston Maurward staff helping me and supporting me.”

Caroline Gobell, Business Director of The Bourne Academy in Bournemouth, said she has seen the impact grants make on students. “A number of our students come from a disadvantaged background, and with huge disadvantage comes many vulnerabilities. They often struggle with domestic arrangements, can’t afford the items they require to meet the needs of their studies, or simply can’t afford to eat as they should.

“On receipt of a bursary these young people are inspired and enabled to redouble their efforts on their studies, to focus harder on achieving their goals, knowing that other organisations are routing for them and spurring them on too. They feel believed in and motivated to do well, it really does make such a difference.”

Lynn Weaver, who works in the student finance team at Bournemouth and Poole College, said the grants can make the difference in whether students go to college or not. “It’s really good that Dorset Community Foundation can help students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to come into college, be able to buy a laptop or pay for travel. We would have a lot of students having to do a think about whether they could afford to come to college without that.”

Apply for the Dorset Community Foundation Bursary Scheme here and the Superior STEM Bursary Fund here. Both funds are open until January 13, 2025.

Pictured, top left: Jack Hayward won Bournemouth and Poole College’s Plaster of the Year award. A Dorset Community Foundation Education Bursary Fund grant helped him get to college

Pictured, top right: Dorset Community Foundation Education Bursary Fund beneficiary Bella Fryer busy on her Skills For Working Life course at Kingston Maurward College