Courier Autumn

Mary Lidstone Trust Page 9 Mary Lidstone Trust Stories A Bit About the Trust The Mary Lidstone Trust works with our KEVICC students to help them access higher or further education. Set up by Mary and Roy Lidstone, the trust has given out well over £100,000 since it was formed. The strong ethos and moral imperative behind its incredible work comes from the couple who formed it... Georgia Borne First year BA Acting Course Plymouth University Plymouth Uni. couldn’t have done a better job of supporting all of us 'freshers' in our first year at the university and adjusting to student life in the halls of residence. My Acting course day is from 8:30am – 6:30pm each day. It’s a long day, but definitely worth it and very rewarding working with fourteen other students who have the same passions. The Mary Lidstone Trust has allowed me to have extra funds so that I can afford to live in student halls and support myself. I am currently in my second year of auditioning for London Drama schools in the hope that I can transfer there next year. Without the Trust, this opportunity would not have even been possible. This amazing trust allows me to keep striving and aiming to achieve my dream of working and learning in London, the heart of the performing industry. Full details about The Trust and how to apply are available from our website under Sixth Form > Mary Lidstone Trust. Mary Lidstone Trust Stories Louis Guy Third year BSc Electronic Engineering UWE Bristol My name is Louis Guy, I used to go to KEVICC and then Kennicott for sixth form and am now starting my third year studying electronic engineering at UWE in the brilliant Bristol. I'm writing a little piece here directed at any Kennicott students (and potential students) because there's an amazing opportunity available to you that I almost didn't apply for when I was finishing my A levels and I'm sure a lot of people aren't aware of it as well. The Mary Lidstone Trust might be a familiar name to some of you but to others it might benew. It is a trust attached toKennicott that provides financial support to students in special circumstances who are leaving to go to university each year. This allows people to go to university and enjoy their time there, even if they are from disadvantaged backgrounds such as being from a low income family or being a young carer. And it definitely made all the difference for me, my family being low income. Receiving support from the Mary Lidstone Trust has probably been the most important thing that I applied for before moving to university to make my time here better. I would have enjoyed my time here regardless, but the money that I've received from the trust has meant that I haven't had to work alongside my studies, and have still had an amazing quality of life and can focus on my course. I strongly recommend that anyone that might be eligible for support applies for the opportunity when they get the chance. Applying to the Mary Lidstone Trust wasn't at all stressful; there was a small written application followed by a quick interview held by some of the trustees, including Mr Salt (and a surprising number of other familiar faces). The interview was relaxed and at no point did I feel judged, making the application process not in the least bit daunting. Again, it is something that anyone eligible shouldn't hesitate to apply for - the difference it has made to my life is remarkable.