A former college student has been honoured for her ability to reach out to people in need, and has been selected for a bursary as she is determined make a career out of ‘pulling people up.’
Charlotte Davies, single mum of two primary school children, has won the extra funding to help her through her three-year BSc degree in Social Work at Wiltshire College, in conjunction with the University of Bath.
Having had a difficult childhood and further challenges as an adult, Charlotte says she hit rock bottom and realised the importance of having someone to talk to.
She managed to re-build her life and threw herself into helping others in similar situations.
She has a selfless attitude and has given up countless hours of her time to volunteer with several projects, including play therapy sessions for children, a drama group for people with special needs and social groups for the elderly.
The more she helped others, the more she wanted it to be her full-time career, so she enrolled on the Access to Higher Education Diploma at City of Bath College. She successfully juggled her studies with her home and community responsibilities and work as a care worker.
Charlotte, 31, said receiving the bursary meant she was now a step closer to turning her dream of becoming a social worker into a reality.
She said: “I’m over the moon; I’m now even more determined to work as a social worker.
“I just like helping people, I like to give people the chance to better themselves and improve their lives.”
Charlotte has been awarded £1,500 from the Helena Kennedy Foundation which helps disadvantaged students who have overcome significant barriers in order to continue their education. As part of the award, Charlotte will also have a mentor for the duration of her degree.
Trustees selected students from across the country who had inspired them with their dedication and commitment through difficult circumstances.
Charlotte said: “I just can’t believe how far I’ve come. When I started at Bath College I had very little self-confidence and self-belief, but I’ve grown so much as a person.
“I was given the opportunity to change my life and I’ve achieved things academically that I never even thought were possible.
“It’s an amazing feeling to have got this far, sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real.”
Charlotte’s tutor Larissa Perry said she was delighted Charlotte had been selected for the prestigious award as there was so much competition.
She said: “This is a young woman who has not only turned her own life around but also made it her mission to improve the lives of others.
“Charlotte has overcome significant personal and social barriers to recommence her education. She has an overwhelming desire to reach out and pull others up in life because of her own recognition of the benefits of human connection.
“She’s used her love of giving back to the community as part of her own healing process and is now determined to make it her career. When it comes to helping others, nothing is too much trouble for her.
“Charlotte isn’t simply kind and caring, she’s also bright, perceptive and very articulate.”
It is the second consecutive year that a former City of Bath College student has been awarded the Helena Kennedy bursary. Last year Danielle Tiplady won the extra funding for her degree in adult nursing at King’s College in London.
City of Bath College’s Access to Higher Education course helps mature students to develop their skills, confidence and educational potential in preparation for degree or diploma level study.
