A new bursary at Swansea University is helping to support Occupational Therapy students facing financial challenges, thanks to the generosity of one of our alumni, who is passionate about Occupational Therapy, giving back to the University that helped shape his own journey.
We are offering the Patrick Carroll bursary to BSc Occupational Therapy Students studying within our Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Science, who also fulfil one or more of our Widening Participation Criteria.
Having attended Swansea University himself, Patrick understands the transformative impact that higher education can have. His own journey to university was made possible by the determination and sacrifice of his mother, who, as a single parent, was determined to give each of her three sons the opportunity she hadn’t had to go to university. She achieved her ambition, and all three sons went on to experience the opportunities that higher education provided.
The inspiration to establish the bursary came after Patrick read an article about other student bursaries in a recent Swansea University fundraising newsletter. Having experienced a fully grant supported education Patrick realised that philanthropic support can make a significant difference to students facing today’s financial pressures. Seeking a way of “paying it forward” he contacted the University to explore how he might give back in a constructive way.
Having enjoyed a 30 year career in NHS Occupational Therapy Patrick wanted to support new entrants to a profession that “thinks outside the box” and welcomes novel thinking and approaches to peoples’ physical and mental health challenges. The new bursary will provide meaningful support to Occupational Therapy students experiencing financial challenges, helping to ease some of the pressures associated with studying and enabling recipients to focus more fully on their education and future careers. It is a wonderful example of how alumni can make a lasting difference to the next generation of students, and illustrates a personal experience of the value of education.
