University to support 200 Adult Nursing students with £100,000 donation from Barclays
Manchester Metropolitan University has been awarded £100,000 by Barclays to help support Adult Nursing students while at university.
The award will result in a £500 bursary being allocated to 200 students from the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing course who are from low-income households to help with living, study and placement costs.
It is hoped that the money will help relieve any financial pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and allow them to concentrate on their studies, thus supporting the next generation of essential NHS workers.
The money can be used cover the cost of things such as materials and equipment, travel to hospital placements and other costs related to their training.
One recipient of the funding, said: “This bursary will allow me to focus on my studies and nursing placements without having to worry about picking up extra shifts just to get by. This money will make it easier to focus on becoming a registered nurse.”
Securing pipeline of nurses
Professor Laura Serrant OBE, Head of Nursing at Manchester Metropolitan University, added: “We are one of the leading educators of health professionals in the UK, providing much of the pipeline of nurses and allied health professionals in the North West of England.
“During the height of the pandemic, more than 300 of our student nurses worked on the frontline and played a pivotal role in the fight against COVID-19. The University supported our student nurses and the NHS by modifying our nursing degrees to allow them to join hospitals and other healthcare providers to meet healthcare needs. We are pleased to be able to now offer these bursaries to support them further, thanks to Barclays.
“Our student nurses are a credit to themselves, their profession and to the University - but like many others, they may need extra support during the pandemic which the bursaries will provide.”
A vital role
Barclays have awarded the funding as part of its £100m Community Aid Package to support charities that are helping people and communities most impacted by COVID-19. The 100x100 Programme invited UK charities, who are tirelessly delivering impactful, on-the-ground support to vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to apply for one of 100 donations of £100,000.
Nigel Higgins, Barclays Chairman, said: “COVID-19 has created an unprecedented social and economic impact in the UK, with many experiencing greater hardship due to the crisis.
“Incredible charities have been playing a vital role in the UK’s response to the pandemic, ensuring urgent help reaches those most in need of support.
“As a bank we have been doing all we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that by partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University and many other charities across the UK, collectively we can ensure that as many people as possible in the communities in which we live and work are supported through this crisis.”
Serving the community
Dominic Boyd, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, said: “The University is delighted to be one of Barclays’ UK charity partners.
“Thanks to Barclays, these bursaries will lend a helping hand to 200 Adult Nursing students, whether studying in the University or on placement in hospitals – supporting the future of the NHS.”
In addition to the 300 student nurses who volunteered on the front line of the NHS, the University has served the local community on many levels in the response to the pandemic, such as; laboratories and 3D printing facilities producing thousands of new items of PPE equipment; donating existing stocks of PPE to local NHS trusts; holding online public surgeries to provide expert advice for people looking to navigate the Government’s various business support packages; and developing public online arts and literature resources to entertain, inspire and educate during the lockdown.
