Thanks to some extremely generous initial donations, we were delighted to award our first Bursary in September 2022 to Kelli. She is both inspirational and remarkable and already providing mentor support to other young care users. She has, in her own words below, explained what this Bursary means to her both now and for her future.
In September 2023 we were so excited to award our next two Bursaries to Tasnim and Mariyam to support them on their journey to become social workers.
With your help we can continue to expand our Bursary programme to support more fantastic young people.
Kelli's Story
I don't know where to start with this thank you letter. When I first heard the story behind this bursary, I first said, "wow, what an amazing thing to do in memory of a loved one." I am terribly sorry for your loss; she sounds like an excellent social worker. I will do everything in my power to bring this bursary to beneficial use and ensure I too, try to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society. Right now, it feels like I am dreaming. It feels like an absolute honour to have been awarded this bursary. Being a lone parent is tough, especially without a family to support. My little boy is three, and I love him, but he is definitely energetic. Financially, this bursary lets me breathe.
I left school at 14 due to moving around the care system. I was a troubled child in care, and no one expected me to do well. However, I was lucky, and I managed to turn it around with a lot of support. Others I know were not as fortunate, which is why I want to pursue social work. I have seen the difference it can make.
Even though being in care was traumatic for various reasons, I had a social worker who stayed who always believed in me; she always tried her best to advocate for me and inspired me to be more than I ever thought I could be; I want to be that for others. Everyone deserves to know what feeling safe and settled feels like, and it is hard to describe that feeling unless you have never had it, and then you do. As a child, I never aspired to go to university. It was alongside those dreams of having a unicorn or flying; I never thought it was realistic.
Thank you again, it is an absolute honour to receive this Bursary!
Tasnim's Story
When I first learned about this bursary, my initial reaction was that it was a very compassionate gesture to honour a loved one who has passed away. Understanding the reason behind the bursary has inspired me to make the most of it and uphold the values of being a good social worker by helping others. Receiving this bursary is an honour, and in memory of Janice I am committed to using my skills to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals in society.
This bursary has allowed me to focus on my studies without financial worries. I had considered dropping out due to financial constraints, leading to self-doubt about my ability to achieve my goal of becoming a successful social worker. Despite facing opposition from my family about attending university, receiving this support from both my university and the bursary has been crucial in keeping my dream alive.
As a child, I had personal issues that required assistance from a social worker who did not provide the support I needed. Reflecting on that experience drove me to pursue a career where I can make a positive impact on other’s lives, especially young people going through difficult situations similar to what I faced in the past. Studying social work at university has given me hope and provided me with the necessary foundation to work towards achieving my goal of becoming a dedicated social worker.
Being a social work student, the importance of social work in my life cannot be emphasised enough. It's not simply a career path I've chosen; it's a calling, a profound dedication to bringing about positive change in the lives of others. Social work perfectly aligns with my personal values and principles, as I strongly believe in the intrinsic value and dignity of every person, along with having a deep commitment to social justice and equality. Furthermore, social work allows me to connect with individuals on an empathetic level, forming genuine relationships based on trust and understanding, which the younger version of me never received.
Despite the challenges that come with it, knowing that I can positively influence the lives of others makes all the hard work worthwhile. Social work isn't just what I want to do; it's an integral part of who I want to be and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue this passion.
Thank you once again for supporting me. I will always be honoured to have received this bursary.
You have made an impact on my life for the better and I will be eternally grateful.
Mariyam's Story
I hope this thank you letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for selecting me as the recipient of this bursary. Not only that, but I am truly honoured to win the bursary and I appreciate this as it means more to me than words can express.
First and foremost, I want to thank you for believing in me. Your belief in my potential has given me a sense of motivation and determination to succeed. This bursary will allow me to focus on my studies effectively and pursue social work without worrying about financial constraints.
When I first read about the story behind this bursary, I was amazed by how inspirational Janice was as a social worker. Reading the entire story has motivated me further and I aspire to be as dedicated and impactful as she was in the lives of those in need. I am very committed to making the most of this amazing opportunity to strive and excel in my academic pursuits. I cannot wait for when I am a qualified social worker and am able to make a positive change in the lives of every individual I get to work with, because every day in social work is an opportunity to make a positive difference.
Furthermore, as a student social worker, I am passionate about making a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities. This bursary will make a significant difference in my journey towards becoming the best advocate for those individuals in need.
Social work is an outstanding and rewarding career. Unfortunately, it isn't much appreciated due to insufficient recognition or prejudice. However, I always knew as a child that I wanted to work with families and people so that I could listen to them while finding and offering solutions to their problems. Once I started researching social work, I knew exactly that this career was for me.
Once again, thank you so much for choosing me. I look forward to implementing my skills and knowledge into practice, as well as supporting and empowering vulnerable individuals in need.
If you would like to know more about the Janice Ann McNaughton Foundation, how you can support us, or have any other enquiries, please get in touch with us.
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