Charity helps struggling students

Isle of Man College students who may be struggling to manage financially are set to benefit after Manx charity the Isle of Man Youth Partnership Student Hardship Fund received a Celton Manx Recognition award.

Launched in 2015, Recognition aims to provide support to smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations with only limited resources for promoting and developing their services.

Accepting the award on behalf the charity was the fund’s committee chairman Kerry Birchall, who has had first-hand experience of how a little financial help at a critical time in a student’s life can make the difference between continuing studies or having to abandon them.

Now an Isle of Man College IT course tutor, Ms Birchall was a 24-year-old mature student working towards her Certificate in Education and computer software qualification when she received a heating bill she could not afford to pay.

She applied for and received an award which meant she could pay the bill and finish the course.

Kerry says, "the difference that award made to me not only led to me being able to pursue my career as a college tutor but also to join the student hardship fund committee and help to raise funds as a way of giving something back"

For more information about the Isle of Man Youth Partnership Student Hardship Fund contact Kerry Birchall, Kerry.Birchall@iomcollege.ac.im or Julie Bibby, Julie.Bibby@iomcollege.ac.im