Young housing association residents win £170,000 in university scholarships
10 ambitious college students living across London and the South East have received scholarships worth up to £17,000 each thanks to housing association L&Q.
The Turlogh O’Brien Scholarship programme is named after L&Q’s previous Chairman of nine years, who was a passionate advocate for higher and further education.The programme, which has a total value of £170,000, was developed to help young people living in financially excluded households to access university.
The scholars attended a ceremony at L&Q’s office at Stratford, east London, where they were met by L&Q staff and awarded their scholarship confirmation letters.
In order to receive the scholarships the scholars had to secure a place at university. The funding will consist of three annual £5,000 contributions towards the students’ tuition fees. The programme will also include an optional paid month long internship with L&Q in the second year of their studies, worth £2000.
The scholars are:
Ambrin Ahmed of Ilford, London
Eben Mitchell of Lambeth, London
Farhan Siam of Bromley, London
Tracy Bossman of Lewisham, London
Ingrid Bekono of Sutton, London
Khadjia Kamara of Lambeth, London
Jasmine Etienne of Newham, London
Millie Melati of Greenwich, London
Omodolaop Ogunfuye of Lewisham, London
Opeyemi Popoola of Lewisham, London
The programme is being funded by the L&Q Foundation, which was established in 2011, with the purpose of improving peoples’ lives in the communities L&Q serves.
The L&Q Foundation grants up to £10 million annually for projects across London and South East that focus on three core themes:
- Independent lives – supporting residents to live economically and socially independent lives
- Successful places – developing aspirational and transformative opportunities with a focus on improving the quality of life of communities
- Social responsibility – driving social and environmental activities and embedding best practice within the business
Millie Melati, scholar, said:
“I’m really happy and grateful to have received the scholarship. I know everyone who got it achieved good grades and worked really hard to get here.”
Omodolaop Ogunfuye, scholar, said:
“The scholarship means I can do my intercalated medical degree comfortably, without it, I would be in two minds about doing it.”
Paul Nehra, Head of Successful Places, said:
“Through the scholarship programme, L&Q will help to ease the financial burden on the scholars so that they can concentrate on their studies and gain valuable experience and qualifications.
“All of our scholars have worked incredibly hard and showed great dedication in getting where they are today and I wish them every success in what I know will be bright futures.”
Notes to editors
- L&Q is one of the UK’s leading housing associations and developers. The L&Q Group manages 90,000 homes across London and the South East.
- We have an ambitious plan to enable the delivery of another 100,000 quality new homes. Half of the new homes we build will be genuinely affordable to people on average and lower incomes, with the other available for private rent or sale, reflecting our belief that everyone should have a quality home they can afford. All of our profits are reinvested into creating homes and neighbourhoods we can be proud of.
- As a charitable housing association our role goes beyond providing homes and housing services. We are a long-term partner in the neighbourhoods where we work. We hope to build aspiration, opportunity and confidence among residents through our £250m community foundation and our skills academy. Our care and support subsidiary, L&Q Living, addresses the support and housing needs of older and vulnerable people.