Cover Story

ONE STOP

One Stop launches new scholarship programme

The initiative will provide four young people with support, guidance, and financial assistance throughout their university life.

One Stop has launched a scholarship programme designed to provide opportunities for young people from its communities and to support social mobility.

The One Stop Scholarship Programme will provide four young people, from low-income households – studying an undergraduate degree in Online, Technology or Sustainability – with support, guidance, and financial assistance throughout their university life.

One Stop has been working in partnership with Groundwork to develop and set up the application process and criteria. The initiative follows a successful trial with two students who have currently been enrolled on the programme from 2021.

Liz Fox, Head of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at One Stop, said: “This is a really exciting proposition for us here at One Stop. The programme provides opportunities not only for us as a business but also for young people looking to progress their careers within an Online, Technology or Sustainability environment.

“We’re looking for candidates to join us directly from the local communities where our stores are located. We’ll help equip them with a number of unique benefits for their career paths, which are not available through any other channel.

“For us, getting the social mobility aligned in our scholarship programme was key and working with Groundwork has enabled us to get the programme developed and up and running. We’re delighted to be welcoming our first students into the One Stop team and opening our application process for our next candidates into next year.”

The One Stop scholarship programme offers support including:

● Financial assistance: A bursary of £15,000, whichwill take some of the pressure off the rising costs ofhigher education.

● Paid internships: Students will receive two paid internshipsduring their university summer holidays in theareas of Online, Technology or Sustainability, enablingthem to get real life work experience.

● Business mentor: Mentoring support will be providedfrom one of the One Stop Leadership Team throughoutthe students’ degree and as they start their futurecareer.

● Graduate role: Students will also have the opportunity to work towards a graduate role at One Stop, providing real career progression from the minute they start university.

Liliana Odjo, from Coventry, is currently on the pilot scheme. She has just entered the University of Warwick studying a fouryear Masters course in Computer Science. She comments: “I couldn’t believe it when I was accepted; it really blew my mind! I started going to One Stop when I was child, and now, here I am doing their very first scholarship! I think it’s amazing the way they’re helping people in their own communities.

Odjo added: “Because I’m one of the first students on the scholarship I will be working closely with One Stop’s Technology department to help develop the scheme further, so this is another really exciting aspect for me as I’ll be playing such a big part in the future of the programme. I’m also really looking forward to the internships too as I’ll be doing a lot of theory on my course which I can apply in the physical environment. I really want to make a difference as One Stop has made such a difference to me.”

● Students from a lower income household, applying foruniversity in 2022, are invited to apply from 1 November2021. The closing date is 31 January 2022.