h g i h m i a Forever Surrey Scholarship Become a founding donor today…
Lucy’s story Law student Lucy Barnes graduated from Surrey in 2018 and has built up a successful career as a barrister. But understanding litigation wasn’t the only issue she’s had to overcome… Growing up in poverty, Lucy had an extremely difficult childhood, resulting in her being made homeless aged 13 and entering care. “I was lost for most of my teenage years,” says Lucy. “I felt like an alien for not having a family or a place to call home. It was difficult to focus on a career when I had so much chaos around me. I battled mental health problems as a result of my turbulent childhood. I felt like I wasn’t loved or wanted.”
11.8%
of young people in care enter higher education compared to 43.1% of all young people.
The Forever Surrey Scholarship will begin to answer this clear inequality by supporting students who have been in care such as Lucy.
Adversity Despite this adversity, Lucy attained the A level grades she needed to secure her place at Surrey. “The University of Surrey changed my life,” she reveals. “It was the closest thing I’d felt to the concept of a home.” However, Lucy still faced significant challenges. She continues: “I struggled to fund my studies. I worked two part-time jobs alongside my lectures and extra-curricular activities.
This was a huge challenge to me. Homelessness was a real and genuine fear. I had no family or home to return to if I stopped being able to afford my living costs. Advocate Sadly, Lucy says that this remains a harsh reality for many others who have been in care. Since graduating, Lucy has become a barrister-at-law, obtained a Masters of Law degree and grown a niche business in paralegalling for barristers on a selfemployed basis. Alongside this, she’s also become an outspoken advocate for individuals who have been in care in the legal industry and beyond. Despite her success, Lucy reflects on the difference a scholarship for those in care may have made for her. “A scholarship would have made the world of difference for me. I wouldn’t have had to hold down two part-time jobs just to be in an equal position to everyone else financially. Beyond that, it would have enabled me to be proud of my experiences and speak out to help others even sooner.”
75%
of students are worried about their finances due to the cost of living crisis.
The Forever Surrey Scholarship will address the worries of students who do not have family support, allowing them to reach their potential in the current uncertain climate.
I’d encourage people to support the Forever Surrey Scholarship. It will change someone’s life for the better. Young people who’ve been in care deserve to be seen for their talents. Scholarships demonstrate compassion and help dissolve stigmas. Once care-leavers can find their voice, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. Lucy Barnes
e b y o t t i s tun d n or i t mopp ngs a e e thi r g h r t o f ven reat gi do g to
The next chapter in student support: The Forever Surrey Scholarship At Surrey, we know that to be at the forefront of educational excellence, we also have to be at the forefront of tackling educational inequality. One of the starkest examples of educational inequality today is the battle that young people who’ve been in care have to access and thrive in higher education. Together, we’ll launch a four-year, £12,000 scholarship that will fully support a care student. We are hoping to award the first recipient in the coming academic year. Today we invite you to learn more and be part of this journey by becoming a founding donor.
Why your support matters Thanks to you, a care student like Lucy will be able to access a £12,000 scholarship allowing them to fulfill their potential. You’ll be at the forefront of an initiative that will have a life-changing effect on those who have been in or through the care system. You’ll help the University provide greater access to the brightest students, regardless of obstacles that may have otherwise impeded their journey to higher education. You’ll receive updates on the progress of the first Forever Surrey Scholar, giving you a real insight into the impact of your gift.
£3,000 would fund our new scholar for their first year, setting them up to succeed at Surrey.
Donate today: surrey.ac.uk/forever-surrey-scholarship