Page 66 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

SUPPORTING THE RVC
Legacies are a lifeline
It is no understatement to say that legacies have had a transformative effect at the RVC; helping us to build our campuses and hospitals, fund our pioneering research and, perhaps most importantly, support students at the beginning of their professional lives to ensure they can reach their potential.
Thanks to donations made to the RVC through wills, we were able to launch five new scholarships last year and double the grant given to our Student Support Team
to help students who find themselves
in financial difficulties – something
that became even more vital with the COVID-19 crisis.
Shelley Revell, Deputy Head of the Advice Centre, reported: “The significant increase in funds this year has meant we can support more students, with a wider variety of needs, as well as those which have arisen due to the impact of Coronavirus.”
A report prepared in 2019 had made several recommendations for how increased funding for the Student Support Fund could be used, including assisting students with accommodation costs, helping those in the final year
of their course and Specific Learning Difference diagnostic assessments. Other student funding concerns raised in the report included helping those with caring responsibilities, mental health concerns, estrangement from parents and students with additional placement costs studying at Hawkshead.
The Advice Centre received nearly double the number of applications this year compared to last, due to more comprehensive promotion of the support services available to students and simplification of the application process.
The new scholarships were also a massive support to our new scholars:
Sarah Fray – Linkou Scholar – BVetMed
“Receiving the RVC Linkou Scholarship has had a profound impact on my studies by alleviating some of the financial stress
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of managing a household as a single parent whilst studying as a mature student. It has enabled me to upgrade my home office, laptop and printing equipment, which has made studying
so much easier. I have also used the scholarship to fund transport to and from my animal husbandry extra-mural studies placements. Being a single parent,
I prefer to stay home with my son and commute to placements, which would have otherwise been unaffordable.”
Olivia Bowsher – Catt Scholar – Veterinary Nursing
though receiving high grades throughout my education. Being acknowledged in this way made me realise I can do what
I dream, and the university can see my passion and will support everything I do. I am also extremely proud to be a member of the RVC.
“Receiving the awarded money has helped a lot with purchasing all the essentials I need for my studies. I have used the money so far to buy many textbooks, equipment (including my much-loved Littman stethoscope) and accommodation fees during term times. Having this as extra to student finance helped take one worry away and allowed me to focus on work without having the stress of wondering how I will pay for the textbooks or equipment needed to enhance my skills.”
Joseph Ansell – Rufus of Ruskinmere Science Scholar – BSc
“What a busy year it has been! In the first week of attending the RVC I received the scholarship, which surprised me beyond belief. I never dreamed of getting a scholarship. Immediately it boosted
my confidence and motivated me to fully embrace university life. Settling into RVC life was really refreshing, having so many people around me with a similar love for
“Being awarded the Catt Scholarship gave me such a boost in confidence with my abilities. I have always been self- conscious of my academic studies, even