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Mary Lidstone Trust
Tonia Studley
studying a criminology and law degree
at the University of Cumbria
Being a first year university student
has been interesting – I have had many
opportunities to be involved with things,
making friends and joining other clubs. The
Trust has helped life here as it has enabled
me to not be afraid to socialise and to have
fun, making sure I have enough money. It
has given me the opportunity to do more
things and to get more involved,
Despite some hard times in the first year, university is a great experience.
I have learned a lot about being independent, and how to manage my
time so that I can do everything I need, or want, to do. I would encourage
anyone who was unsure whether or not to go to university to go because
so far I haven’t regretted it. Even if the worry is that you would not have
enough money, apply to the Mary Lidstone Trust because it would give you enough money to be able to live and have a
comfortable experience.
I thank the people at KEVICC who run the trust and the people who set up the trust so that we could carry on our studies.
The Trust was set up with a generous
legacy fromRoy Lidstone and is dedicated
to the memory of Mary, his wife.
After Mary’s sad death in 2010, Roy put
in place arrangements to create the Trust
to benefit students (current and former)
of KEVICC. The legacy has been invested,
and income from the investments is
being used to enable young people to
follow an academic dream post-Kennicott
which might otherwise, through financial
circumstances, not be possible.
We're delighted to hear from these
students about how the year has been.
Teresa Lakeman, Business Director
Herbie Barnett
studying a BSc degree in Computer Games Design
and Programming at Staffordshire University
Going to university
has
been
one
of
the
most
n e r v e - w r e c k i ng
and
rewarding
experiences
I’ve
ever
had
the
pleasure to be a
part of. It can be a
difficult process, not only having to focus on achieving good
grades, but also choosing which course and where to study;
going through the UCAS process and, to top it off, the financial
stress that inevitably comes with taking out a significant loan.
Making this life-changing decision means a lot to consider.
And those who want to go to university shouldn't be inhibited
by worries about affording a decent standard of living.
Fortunately, the Mary Lidstone Trust Grant has allowed me to
focus on my attention on coursework and exams. Although
I’ve been working hard to try and achieve the most out of
my time here, I’ve also had the best time of my life – living
independently for the first time, joining societies andmeeting
people from all over the world. So, even in the more stressful
times of the year, I’m grateful that I’ve had the chance to
take part in this once in a life-time experience. allowing me
to partake in so many other extra-curricular activities and to
take modules that require access to expensive equipment,
enhancing my CV as I am able to stay at the cutting-edge of
research. I’m very thankful to the trustees who selected me,
allowing me to pursue a career that I would not otherwise
have been able to access. I would strongly encourage anyone
to apply and not let financial worries prohibit your success.
Georgia Borne
studying a BA degree in acting at Plymouth
University & Theatre Royal
Even though Plymouth Uni was close to home, I was
slightly apprehensive to be living on my own full time!
But I had nothing to worry about, they couldn’t have
done a better job of supporting us 'freshers' in our first
year. I'm about a five-minute walk from campus which
is so handy because my Acting course starts at 8:30m
every morning (8:30am-6:30pm). It’s a long day, but
definitely worth it, and very rewarding working with
14 other students who have the same passion as I do!
The Mary Lidstone Trust has allowed me to have extra
funds so I can afford to live in student halls and support
myself without the help of my parents. I am also
currently in my second year of auditioning for London
Drama schools in the hope that I can transfer to one of
these in September. I have been offered a foundation
course at Italia Conti on the one year acting course,
which is very exciting but has to be paid for by myself
with no help from the government student loans.
Without the Mary Lidstone 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
pe r fo rmi ng
industry.
