WHEN her parents’ income fell dramatically during the pandemic a 19-year-old faced the prospect of being unable to afford her travel to college to follow her dream of being a countryside ranger.

Her dad can only work part-time due to a health issue and her mum is a self-employed carer and pet sitter/walker whose work was affected by the lockdown.

It meant that travel to Kingston Maurward College, where she is studying Level 3 Countryside Management, Wildlife and Ecology Conservation, was too expensive. She took a gardening job to help fund the purchase of clothing and equipment needed for her course, and to boost her family’s income.

A Dorset Community Foundation education bursary has meant travel is now within financial reach and she is back on the path to her dream job. She is well on the way and has done a voluntary work placement with Dorset Country Rangers where she enjoyed maintaining footpaths, bridges and fences.

Find out about our bursaries and apply here.