QMYOU / Development & Alumni News 23
Students benefit from pioneering scholarship programme
SIX QMU STUDENTS are currently benefitting from a pioneering widening access programme developed and part funded by The Robertson Trust .
As the largest independent grant-making trust in Scotland , The Robertson Trust is dedicated to achieving positive change in Scotland . Its Scholarship programme was set up in 1995 to help fund ten young Glaswegians . Today , it helps more than 460 young people from across Scotland studying on a wide range of undergraduate courses , including the students at QMU .
Robertson Trust Scholars not only receive financial support , they also embark on a self-development programme called the ‘ Journey to Success ’, which includes personal support through peer mentoring , employability workshops and paid internships . All of this ensures the scholars are able to maximise their potential at university and compete successfully for graduate level jobs with increased self confidence .
Scholars are nominated by their school , college or university as talented individuals who show real potential despite their life experiences . Often they are the first in their family to go to university , from low income families or have spent time in care .
Claire Kenny , one of the first Robertson Trust Scholar at QMU , is now in her second year of the BSc in Psychology . Claire acknowledges that she has benefitted from the partnership between QMU and The Robertson Trust . She explained : “ The Robertson Trust Scholarship has made both studying , and moving away from home , a lot easier . I believe if it wasn ’ t for the Trust ’ s help and support , my first year at QMU would have been a lot more stressful . Although it supports scholars financially , it also supports us in so many other ways . The team really does want the best for us .”
This coming year , QMU will select one further Robertson Trust scholar thanks to matched funding from former QMU Court member , Mark Laing . Mark , who is also a trustee of the Robertson Trust , is passionate about access to education for all who have the ability , yet may not have the financial means .
Mark explained : “ The scholarship programme mirrors QMU ’ s ethos of widening access and broadening students ’ horizons , so I am delighted to be involved , as both a trustee of the Robertson Trust and a donor to QMU .
To find out more about how you can support widening access initiatives at QMU , contact Heather Edie , QMU Development & Alumni Manager , E : hedie @ qmu . ac . uk T : 0131 474 0000 . ❒
Mark Laing and Dr Annie Doyle from the Robertson Trust with QMU ' s Robertson Trust Scholars .
Wise Up About Dementia
QMU STUDENTS ARE being offered the opportunity to deliver ‘ Dementia Friends ’ awareness sessions to student peers , school pupils on QMU ’ s Health and Social Care Academy , and young learners who are part of the Queen Margaret Children ’ s University . The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness about dementia as a condition ; become more aware of how people can ‘ live well ’ with dementia ; and discuss what we , as a society , can do to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in our communities .
Led by the QMU Dementia Working Group , students from across the School of Health Sciences can participate in the co-design and co-production of the dementia awareness sessions . A group of students from the Division of Nursing delivered the first session in January .
This initiative contributes to QMU ’ s drive to become a Dementia Aware university and has been made possible by development funding from Santander Universities . Dementia Friends is a UK wide project , offered by Alzheimer ’ s Scotland , which is supporting its implementation .
Recognised by healthcare employers , each session also adds to employability in professional practice , and will enable students to be dementia friendly resources within their families and communities . ❒
QMYOU / Development & Alumni News 23