Words cannot begin to express how grateful and blessed I feel to have received a scholarship from the Black Heart Foundation. Thank you so much to the Black Heart team for giving me the opportunity to have the freedom to focus solely on my studies and to continue to apply the same diligence to my economics degree as I have constantly done throughout my educational journey, without being distracted by the financial strain of student life. Having financial freedom whilst at UCL means I’m able to fully engross myself in the university environment and take every opportunity to broaden my horizon both academically and socially. Receiving this scholarship not only gives me the chance to advance my education but also continue to fulfil my role as a One Young World Ambassador for the UK whilst at university, where my goal is to help make a difference in solving educational inequality amongst underprivileged young people.

I feel incredibly blessed and appreciative of the support I am receiving from the Black Heart Foundation.
I had previously resigned myself to working long hours whilst studying for my postgraduate degree at the University of Manchester in order to support myself financially. However, with this scholarship a huge financial burden has been lifted off me and I am so grateful that I can study for my postgraduate degree without the anxieties of affording basic living expenses. As a recipient of this scholarship I can now focus, wholeheartedly, on my degree, developing my academic and personal background, and enjoying my time at university.
I would like to thank the Black Heart Foundation for this opportunity, and I sincerely hope to be able to one day gift a dream like this to someone struggling financially.

I feel extremely privileged and grateful to the Black Heart Foundation (BHF) for having awarded me with a scholarship to cover the first and second year of my university fees. Because as an asylum seeker I am unable to work and access the traditional sources of funding in the UK, this means I have no chance rather than rely on charitable organizations such as the Black Heart Foundation to pay my university fees. Now with the generosity of the Black Heart Foundation, I am able to freely pursue a BA in Education at Brunel University London. Without the great financial support of the (BHF), I would not have been able to follow my studies and concentrate properly on my course. Due to the high volume of worries, I would have gone through. Such scholarship has removed a great deal of tension out of me, which for a long time has been part of my life and consequently, it has been a struggle for me to reach the point of being accepted at university. As I constantly remember myself being worried and from time to time being demotivated by not knowing how I was going to fund my university fees. I would like to take this opportunity and thank the (BHF) from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream. The BHF has made me realize that things are always possible through the hard work and the generosity of kind-hearted people.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

The Black Heart Foundation has opened a door for me that I thought would always be closed. The scholarship has been a tremendous help in making my time at university a lot easier. I now can focus solely on my studies without the distraction and worry accompanied with experiencing financial hardship. I will be forever grateful to The Black Heart Foundation for giving me the chance to dream bigger and aim higher. The scholarship has also provided relief for my family as my mother does not have to worry about the difficulties I may face whilst at university, with finances being the biggest concern. The Black Heart Foundation has, in its own unique way, given me the chance to work towards a brighter future.

There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am to the Black Heart Foundation for enabling me to study at university without having to worry about how to cope financially. Knowing that this huge financial burden has been lifted is very reassuring and to be given an opportunity such as this, despite coming from a working-class family, is very special for me. This will allow me to focus entirely on my studies without having to worry about getting a part time job simultaneously. I aspire to get involved in scientific research in the future to be at the forefront of new knowledge to develop technology to help combat the climate crisis. Additionally, I want to provide access to the scientific community to people who have a similar background and grew up in challenging environments like I did.

I feel extremely honoured and blessed to become a Black Heart Scholar.

The very fact that The Black Heart Foundation committee has chosen to support me and invest in my education has given me even more motivation to succeed. No words can truly express my gratitude for this opportunity.

The black heart foundation has taught me that there are very kind hearted people in the world today. I hope that soon, I will be able to positively impact someone’s life, just like how the Black Heart Foundation has positively impacted my own.

This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education, as well as support me with my means of transport for placement whilst studying. I am very grateful for the gift that I have received from the Black Heart Foundation, as it has lifted a financial pressure off of my shoulders. I will be forever indebted for the Black Heart Foundation for believing in me, supporting me and teaching me that anything is possible and that I can and will achieve my dreams.

I don’t think I can fully express my gratitude to the Black Heart Foundation and how much this scholarship means to me.
The scholarship couldn’t have come at a better time. Embarking on this academic journey was no easy feat, I was deeply worried about the financial shortfall that comes with moving to another city and how tough the journey ahead was going to be. Then came the offer from the foundation. Indeed, as my mentor used to say, there is always sunshine if we could see beyond the clouds. The scholarship has enabled me to see sunshine every day for the academic year by removing the financial clouds, and to fully concentrate on my studies.
I am forever grateful and indebted to the Black Heart Foundation for making this possible. I hope to pay it forward in the future!

Words cannot express how truly grateful I am for the help and support of The Black Heart Foundation. Without their generosity, University would have been nothing but a pipe dream. After having achieved results better than expected and confirmed a place at my dream school – the University of Warwick – my hopes and aspirations suddenly seemed so distant as I found myself struggling by financial constraints. The support of the Black Heart foundation came not only as a blessing but also as the beginning of a new journey for me. A journey that I intend on taking full advantage of in every way possible. I also hope to one day inspire others and pay forward this kindness through my support of others. I will be forever grateful and indebted to the Black Heart Foundation for this life changing opportunity.

Being a recipient of the Black Heart Foundation has been a life changing milestone in my life. Receiving the scholarship will help to alleviate the financial and mental stress I suffered last year that nearly forced me to drop out of university. This will allow me to focus on some of my extra-curricular passions, to help other students from my demographic and University understand the importance of gaining valuable work experience. Growing up in a single parent Caribbean household with my father and older brother who has multiple disabilities, I was often faced with statistics that would show how low my chances were. Having made it to university and now being a recipient of this scholarship, I hope to continue my journey and inspire others along the way.
I hope to emulate some of the core values of the Black Heart Foundation, and I’m committed to supporting people who society deems to have low chances change their lives and career trajectories.
This scholarship has surely changed my next few years and I am forever grateful for being a Black Heart Foundation scholar.

Heaven sent. The only words that encompass how I genuinely feel towards the blackheart foundation. I struggled to believe it, that I would be chosen to be a recipient of such a generous award. Words can’t begin to describe how much of a blessing their support is in my educational endeavours. I have received no financial assistance from the government in regard to higher education due to my residency status and how long I have resided in the U.K. I am a victim of circumstance. It is unfortunately quite a common problem with individuals only realising when it’s too late, which was the same in my case. However, I did not let this stop me. I braced myself for the struggle and fought diligently to make ends meet whilst in university. Balancing deadlines and projects with shift schedules and any work whatsoever that came my way, the physical toll was a lot. There seemed to be no alternative. The Blackheart foundation has provided me with that alternative. They have shone light into my tunnel, and I can see a means to an end. I can now solely dedicate myself to my studies knowing that this boulder is quite literally off my shoulders. To them, I am eternally grateful.

Sometimes miracles happen to change your life as an opportunity to realize your dream. This miracle won’t exist without the support from organizations shed the light on our way toward uncertain future. Black Heart Foundation financial support to continue my studies after I struggled for a years to the extent I thought that I will never be able to continue my higher education level.
Fortunately, I started my MSc course in Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Systems at Strathclyde University.
I would like and by all means to thank all Black Heart Foundation members and will do my best to take advantage of the opportunity given to me.

Black Heart Foundation, thank you. Knowing that the quality of education at Oxbridge is unrivalled, it has always been a dream of mine to study at either Oxford or Cambridge. Receiving an unconditional offer from Cambridge made this dream a reality, but it is the generosity of the trust that will enable me to make the most of this reality. This scholarship is, for me, an equaliser that will allow me to embrace opportunities for personal or academic development that I will encounter at university, but without financial concerns hanging over me or compromising my wellbeing, as has been the case in the past. I will now be able to achieve what I know I am capable of. Being awarded this scholarship has instilled in me a determination to support others as Black Heart have supported me by contributing my time and efforts to projects that widen access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I hope to be a role model for those who ever find themselves burdened with mental, emotional or financial situations, to prove that anything is possible.

I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Black Heart Foundation in receiving a bursary that helps me in achieving my dreams. This has made such an impact to my life, alleviating the financial strain that would have been on myself to pay my medical school fees. This bursary will allow me to focus on my studies wholeheartedly, and give me the leeway to get involved in extra-curricular activities that I was unable to do before. I just want to thank the Black heart Foundation again for believing in young people’s dreams and making it clear that all dreams are attainable irrespective of one’s background or financial capabilities.
I am honoured to be a recipient of this award and will be using this opportunity to connect with other young individuals in mentoring them to achieve their dream within the medical field but  also getting more involved in widening participation schemes into medicine for students coming from under-represented groups. Again, I would just like to thank The Black Heart Foundation for this opportunity and hope that through this I am able to set an example to others that no matter how big or small, goals and ambitions are attainable.

I am extremely grateful and honoured to be granted a full scholarship from the Black Heart Foundation. Receiving this scholarship enables me to confidently pursue my master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford. This has been something I have been passionate about studying and to even say I am thankful would be an understatement. Without this scholarship, it would have been almost impossible to fully commit to the programme for a year.
Such a scholarship helps me in many ways. Not only would the scholarship help cover university fees, it would allow me to invest my time in education. It would allow me to study without having the worries of a large student debt over my head and it would also allow me to use my spare time to get involved in university societies as opposed to working 2-3 jobs to pay strenuous fees. It also permits me to use my spare time to be an ambassador for the University of Oxford and again hopefully open doors for prospective students who have a background similar to myself. Once I finish my master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice, I intend to pursue a career related to this field and prove what an investment in education can truly achieve.

Coming from a low-income household money was also something I had to worry about. I have always worked throughout my education to support myself and not have to rely too heavily on my single-parent mother. In my second year of university I founded a project called #MadeInHackney that focuses on bridging the gap between state and private school students by providing state school pupils with information, motivation and attainable role models. It has meant that I have has less time to focus on working. Hence, I am extremely grateful for the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship which will allow me to focus on #MadeInHackney and finishing my last year of university without worrying about finances.

I’m incredibly grateful to the Black Heart Foundation for supporting my ambitions for postgraduate study. The Foundation’s generosity has enabled me to study for an MSc in Economics for Development at the University of Oxford. My course seeks to improve policy making for those who need it most, and resonates with many of the same ambitions that the Foundation stands for. It feels really great to be supported by a charity that shares these same values, because their investment serves as belief in my potential to improve the lives of people around the world.
Coming from a state school background, it is rare for students’ education to reach postgraduate level. The fees associated with postgraduate study adds a real barrier, one that confronts your socioeconomic background head on. The Foundation have helped me overcome this barrier, and provided me with a wealth of opportunity through their support. I hope to use my time in postgraduate study to work on policy, striving for better social outcomes and effective international development. My experience with the Foundation has given me a stronger personal investment in working to give young people around the world a better chance at success. I will continue to honour the kindness the Foundation has shown by working towards those very same ambitions that helped me in my time of need.

I am honoured and tremendously grateful to be named as a Black Heart Foundation Scholar for 2019-2020.  Whilst I intend to continue supporting myself working part-time, this grant underpins a new-found freedom to embark on upcoming research opportunities, volunteering and the extracurricular activities I enjoy. I am truly humbled to have received the financial support of the Foundation to complete my Medical education; defending my future ambition to deliver high-quality healthcare.

I will be forever indebted to the Black Heart Foundation and extremely thankful for the work that the Foundation strives to achieve; for all that they are doing for me and so many other students who may not have been able to attain any further education without their charity. Without the aid of the Foundation I would have been unable to pay the tuition fees for Medicine. However, this unique scholarship has not only alleviated the financial burden of studying Medicine as a post-graduate, it has confirmed my life-long commitment to the profession. I will endeavour to use my skills and knowledge to help those in my care and justify the confidence that has been installed in me. Ultimately, this investment in my vocational aspiration will empower me to deliver on the Black Heart Foundation’s manifesto as both a doctor and an agent of change.

Thank you.

I am extremely grateful to the Blackheart Foundation for awarding me this generous scholarship. It’s such a huge relief to my family and I as it means that I can focus on my academics without worrying about my tuition fees. The Committee’s decision to invest in my education has provided me with even greater motivation to excel in my research and use my skills and intellect to contribute to the economic development of my country, Nigeria and the African continent. I am confident that I shall justify every penny invested in my education and my hope is that in the near future I shall be in a position to support other talented young people to pursue their academic aspirations’

I would like to express how extremely grateful and privileged I am to be a recipient of a scholarship from the Blackheart Foundation. Ever since I’ve known myself, I’ve had a passion to pursue a career as a Pilot. However, as a young male from a single-parent household in North West London this is often not possible without self-funding your training which can be in excess of £100,000. After years of networking and various flying scholarships, I have been awarded a place on the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme which selects and sponsors candidates to train as Commercial Pilots with the airline in Jerez, Spain. The scholarship has relieved the financial burden of Commercial Pilot training which will allow me to solely focus on my 14 months of Air Transport Pilots Licence exams and flying training without the worry of finances which would not have been possible without the immense generosity of the organisation.
Words will never truly express the gratitude I have for the Blackheart Foundation and their support but for as long as I live, I will hold the organisation close to my heart for assisting me in achieving my dream job.

No words suffice, nor do justice, to express the immense gratitude, that me and my family have towards the Black Heart Foundation (BHF) for deciding to bestow upon me a full-scholarship award. Without support from BHF, I would have been compelled to fill my weekends with part-time work in order to meet my financial commitments at the University of Oxford. Now, with such a generous provision I have realised an opportunity – an opportunity to spend more time and cognitive energy on further research, to participate in conferences, extensive reading and other activities of self-directed learning. This will prove invaluable for my career advancement as a budding neurosurgeon and neuroscientist. Ultimately, enabling me to work towards improving the quality of lives of patients struck with neurological disease.
In an age steeped in self-interest, seldom does one come across such organisations such as BHF. Through its efforts, I have understood the potential of philanthropy to empower students like me. By believing in me, BHF has not only further bolstered my resolve towards achieving my aspirations, but also instilled in me a realisation of my duty to invest back into societal welfare.

I am very happy and grateful for being awarded this scholarship from the Black Heart Foundation because it will immensely change my life and change the quality of my studies at York. This scholarship will allow me to benefit from all of the opportunities that are around me due to the barrier that is coming from a low income background being mitigated. I am excited to go into my second year of Politics at York with the huge weight that was financial struggles being lifted off my shoulders and the belief that the Black Heart Foundation has put in me that will take me to the next level of my journey. I see myself doing a law conversion after my degree and chasing a dream of being a role model in the black community as a stand-out lawyer that will then pave the way for the younger generations coming behind me. Education has allowed me to better my circumstances for myself and my family therefore I find that the work that this foundation does to make education accessible to all with the support and generosity of its trustees to be very important – especially in today’s world which increasingly uncertain for young people.

I am so honoured and grateful to The Black Heart Foundation, they have honestly changed my life and made me feel excited for what the future may hold. I am so grateful to them for their faith in me.

I am currently studying Musical Theatre in Birmingham and am really enjoying my course. Musical Theatre has always been a part of my life from when I was young. The potential seen in me by MAMT and now the Foundation means I will be able to complete this fantastic training and hope to go on to be a performer on the West End.

Without the help of The Black Heart Foundation I would not have been able to complete the course that I have always aspired to do. My mum and I work as many hours as we can to cover my tuition fees and with such a full – on timetable it was becoming an increasing struggle to maintain this. With the help of The Black Heart Foundation they’ve alleviated some of the financial pressure and no amount of words will truly express the gratitude I have for this opportunity and for the foundation.

I would like to wholeheartedly thank The Black Heart Foundation for awarding me with a generous scholarship to help support my undergraduate education. When discussing renewable energy resources and energy storage in physics class, I was enthralled with intellectual curiosity. The idea behind trying to develop an efficient way to generate and store power while being safe for our environment was something that got my mind buzzing and motivated to learn. This made studying Energy Engineering at Dartmouth College a dream of mine. Thanks to the Black Heart, that dream is possible while easing the substantial financial burden on my family and I. The gift from the foundation reinforces the importance of paying kindness forward, which is a practice I intend to emulate in my own life.

I’d like to express my profound gratitude to the Black Heart Foundation for awarding me this scholarship. Without the benefit of this scholarship, I would have to juggle between my studies and working part-time or accept a high-interest personal loan to meet the financial obligations of my postgraduate studies. The scholarship eases my financial burden and will enable me to focus on my academic work and enrich my time as a student at the University of Cambridge.

I would once again like to thank the Black Heart Foundation for their generous support. I am indebted to them for what they are doing for me, and thankful for everything the foundation continues to do, to make things possible for students that would have otherwise thought further studies in higher education was not an option. I hope that through my motivation and willingness to achieve the best results that I can, I will be able to justify the faith that has been shown in me. I look to pay forward this kindness by giving back and supporting others.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am to be a Black Heart Foundation scholar for 2019-2020. This scholarship is a true blessing and I am forever grateful to the team for giving me this honour.

I had hesitations about returning back to university after graduating from my undergraduate degree and working full-time. University can be quite expensive especially when it is located straight in Central London. Furthermore, the costs of attaining a further qualification alongside my masters did play on my mind. However, this scholarship has now made it possible for me to go back to university and develop new skills and take on new opportunities that will help me within my career.

I am very thankful to everyone for making this dream a reality for me.

“Relieved. This is how I now describe myself after having been blessed with the generosity of the Black Heart Foundation. They have provided me with a gift which will allow me to focus on my studies rather than spend my precious time at work. The provision of this scholarship shall allow me to prosper higher by achieving more than the average student in aspects such as partaking in extra-curricular activities, taking extra short courses (such as learning Spanish or UX/UI Design) as well as progressing with my developing business projects. This weight that has been lifted off my shoulders shall inspire a happier and a positive outlook towards my journey at university. I would like to thank the Black Heart Foundation for this opportunity to flourish and I hope to always try to return the favour to people who may struggle financially.”

“I am extremely grateful and humbled to have been awarded the scholarship from the Black Heart Foundation, which will allow me to undergo a Master’s degree in International History, and take advantage of the amazing opportunities offered by the LSE. After finishing undergraduate study, I lacked the confidence in my abilities to be able to take the next step academically, and once I gained that confidence, the financial barriers seemed insurmountable. The support of the Black Heart Foundation means that I will be able to pay my fees without worry, as well as afford the study materials I will need. I really can’t thank the team and the trustees enough for taking the time to understand me as a person, my situation and my goals in depth. I will continue to work and volunteer in community history projects and widening participation schemes, to spread the knowledge and skills which I will gain from the Master’s, and to really pay forward the support which the Foundation has given me, to others who need it.”

“Being a Psychology student, I have always been aware of the impact of concerns about money on students’ wellbeing at university, and so I am extremely pleased to have been relieved of financial constraints by the Black Heart Foundation. Their support will be a crucial first step towards me becoming qualified in Psychology because it will allow me to focus solely on my studies rather than working long hours when I would much rather be working towards my goal of achieving a first.

The application process for this scholarship has taught me an invaluable lesson – that there are genuine, successful people out there who wish to see others flourish. As a direct result of the passion for philanthropy that I have witnessed and the support the Foundation has offered me, I hope that I can one day emulate the Black Heart Foundation by investing in the people around me and nourishing the potential of others.”

“Receiving support from the Black Heart Foundation is an absolute blessing. This Scholarship has meant that I am able to go to University despite not receiving a maintenance loan from the government. For a long time I thought that having moved countries for a better education came to be a waste of my mom’s hard work, since our immigrant status in the UK wouldn’t allow me to go to University regardless due to how expensive it is. However, finding out that I was one of the very lucky recipients of the foundation’s generosity will enable me to go out there and show the world that there’s no unbearable barriers! I am so fortunate and forever grateful to have found an organization that sees the power in individuals like myself. An organization that removes all your worries so that you can devote yourself to do the best possible. The Black Heart Foundation is the epitome of love and compassion because nobody should be denied of learning and growth. This has not only impacted me positively, but my family and our futures. As well as the lives of those I will come to meet on my journey. Due to this Scholarship I can say that I am officially the first to go to University! What can I say but thank you. Thank you for believing in me, sometimes that’s all the motivation you need.”

“I feel very honoured to be a recipient of The Black Heart Foundation and become a Black Heart Scholar. With the help and support of The Black Heart Foundation, they have provided me the chance to achieve a dream of mine as well as others who are part of the foundation. Being a student athlete at university is an incredible opportunity and it has given me  so many amazing experiences that I will never forget. With the assist from the foundation I am able to invest my time and put it to better use which has allowed me to take advantage of the opportunities that university offers.

Becoming a Black Heart Scholar is more than just receiving a scholarship, it creates opportunity to enhance your skills and take them to the next level in your career.

I would like to thank everyone who is part of the foundation for supporting me and making dreams become reality. “

“I feel very fortunate to have received such a generous award from the Black Heart Foundation. Obtaining a University Degree has always been an aspiration of mine, this scholarship will be instrumental towards my academic development as it means that I no longer have to worry about the financial strain of University living costs and can spend more time reading than working. I have worked in retail and office work since I was 16, constantly supporting myself alongside my studies but this is discouraged at Cambridge. I now feel positive about my University journey, and that the opportunities are endless. I very much look forward to paying forward this generosity through being involved in access initiatives whilst at Cambridge, helping those from under representative backgrounds realise that there is a place for them in elite institutions.”

“Immense gratitude and appreciation are just a few of the words that explain how I feel about the Black Heart Foundation.

As a care leaver, I face more financial pressure than some as I have to pay for accommodation all year round with no family home to return to. This scholarship means that this immense burden is alleviated which means that I am able to take advantage of every academic and social opportunity I encounter whilst at university.

Often care leavers have quite different experiences at university than their peers, I am so grateful to this foundation as this scholarship means that I can experience university not as a care leaver but just as any other university should. I endeavour to make the absolute most of this amazing opportunity and once again want to thank the foundation for their assistance in enabling me to achieve my dreams.”

“It is not easy to put into words how much the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship has done for me. I am honoured to be a recipient of the award; to have the time I’ve spent supporting

young athletes reach their potential recognised. I am taking this opportunity to change my career. The funding has enabled me to enrol at Makers Academy, learning best working

practices to become a Software Engineer. It is with my greatest and deepest appreciation that I say thank you to everyone at The Black Heart Foundation. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow, not only as a developer, but also

as an individual. In particular, I would like to thank Mr R. Lewis for all his words of encouragement. I am honoured to become part of this distinguished group of scholars.”

“I am truly thankful and privileged for the financial assistance The Black Heart Foundation has provided to help alleviate the financial pressures that University has placed on my family and I.

As a result of their generous donation, I have been empowered with the financial freedom to confidently dedicate more time to my studies without feeling restricted and unable to engross myself within my new student environment. Furthermore, I have been able to apply and obtain prestigious internships within London and not have to worry about travel and living costs associated with taking part in these programmes.

Valuable time that would have been spent working to fund my degree is now being utilised effectively, taking advantage of the opportunities available to enrich my future career prospects.

I honestly cannot understate how helpful the bursary has been and I will forever be grateful for the support The Black Heart Foundation has provided.”

“I am truly grateful and honoured to be one of the recipients of the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship. This grant means so much to me, as it has enabled me to continue my education without the pressure that comes with working while studying. This has not only given me the opportunity to work to the best of my abilities, but has also given me the time to explore my passions and interests, helping me to decide what careers I’m interested in. This has allowed me to take steps to pursue it, such as gaining valuable experience in industry and securing a summer internships.

Once again I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the foundation for helping to open these doors for me and giving me this opportunity to excel.”

“I feel so privileged that the black heart foundation had decided to support me with my studies. Due to their very generous grant, I can now solely focus on my postgraduate education without the financial pressures I was previously encountering. This grant means that I will be able to continue my studies without the pressure that comes with also working full time giving me an opportunity to work to the best of my abilities.
It would have been impossible to continue my studies without the grant afforded to me by the foundation and I am extremely grateful that I have been given this opportunity to excel.”

“Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved the power and magic of the movies and knew I wanted a career in the field. I studied hard at college with the aspiration of attending University, but knew it wouldn’t be easy. As the first member of my family to express an interest in University I did feel some resistance and gaining support was a challenge – mainly due to the financial implications and associated financial strain on my family.

The financial bursary offered to me by the Black Heart Foundation will allow me to undertake my studies without the huge financial burden I faced. I will have the freedom to focus solely on my studies and take every opportunity presented to me through my University.

At the end of my three year degree course I hope to pursue a long and successful career in sound, bringing film to life and helping to build emotional connections with audiences around the world. This is an aspiration which would remain just that, an aspiration, without the support of the foundation. I truly believe that for me, the sky is the limit and I will forever be grateful to the foundation for supporting me in achieving my dreams! “

“I am extremely grateful to the Blackheart foundation for awarding me this scholarship. It is a huge blessing to me and my family, as it has taken a lot of financial concerns away about accessing higher education. My mind is now at rest and I can look forward to university with the confidence to pursue my passion for physics and fully integrate myself into student life. This is truly a privilege! I intend to always extend the kindness that you have shown to me and I hope in the near future I can impact somebody’s life as positively as you have impacted my own. The ethos of the foundation has motivated and taught me to give opportunity to those that are short of it.”

“I now have the chance to solely focus on my studies without worrying about finances, giving me greater experience in my area of study. I can now advance my education and develop my knowledge throughout my university degree, to help achieve my goals.

I am extremely grateful to have been granted the support that The Black Heart Foundation has given me. They have allowed me to progress further into my education and expand my knowledge as there are so many more opportunities that I can take advantage of now, without worrying about finances.

With their generous donation I can become more involved in the university, and pursue extra curriculum activities, enhancing my university experience not only academically but also with regards to my vocational interests. I feel honoured to have received their support, giving me the chance to concentrate on my studies without needing to figure out how to fund my living costs. This will enable me to achieve my maximum potential in my course, which I know will help tremendously in the future. Additionally, it will contribute towards my year studying abroad, which is something that I have always wanted to do.

Thankfully, I can now become more involved in university and focus on achieving my career aspirations, as I now have the option to take part in more career events to increase my employability. On top of this, they have helped me be able to build the skills and knowledge required for my degree.

Words cannot express how thankful I am that I have the chance to enjoy being a student, without feeling financially restricted and have the best opportunity to thrive in my studies, to make my dreams a reality.”

“You believed and invested in my dream. Now the future shines a little brighter, while my resolve to make an impact, waxes a little stronger.

Thanks to the Black Heart Foundation, I can complete a stage in my barrister’s training as well as undertake my placement at the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals at The Hague.

Doubtless, without the scholarship, I’d have had to deal with financial strain, which would have made studying the BPTC much harder. Furthermore, because of the generosity of the Foundation, I can comfortably undertake my placement in the Legal Capital of the World, The Hague. There, I shall work with the President of the Mechanism on important international law cases.

I pay tribute to the Foundation for empowering young people like myself. I set out to be a barrister at the age of 14 because I truly believe in the pursuit of justice. Thanks to the Foundation, I am more confident and truly hopeful that the best is yet to come!”

“I feel hugely grateful and honoured to have received a bursary from the Black Heart Foundation. Receiving this support brings huge financial relief and opens up the possibility to carry out what I hope to be impactful research while feeling encouraged and secure. As a PhD student at the University of Oxford, I will be researching geographic representation in the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence, with focus on localising technologies to benefitting marginalised communities. I am grateful to be funded by an organisation which shares my values and goals – The Black Heart Foundation will be a source of inspiration as I continue to cultivate these values and offer my contribution. Receiving vital financial support from the Foundation fundamentally changes the dynamics of my academic work. Working whilst studying for my PhD has been a challenge, and this bursary alleviates my concerns surrounding fees, accommodation, living expenses, fieldwork, etc. and enables me to fully immerse with university life, research projects, activities, as well as integrate with my cohort. As a single parent, my mother has always been determined to educate her daughters to the highest possible level and position us to contribute positively to global society. Financing the cost of my Masters at Harvard even after financial aid was a profound challenge, but I have since been able to assist three more students from the black British community successfully secure places there. It is with immense gratitude that I accept this bursary from the Black Heart Foundation, and commit to pay it forward.”

“Gaining support from the Black Heart Foundation has been life-changing for me. It has allowed me to dedicate a lot more of my time to medical education and has essentially put me level with my peers who are from more advantaged backgrounds. I am able dedicate more of my time to become the best doctor possible in order to improve the lives of others. Furthermore, I am able to participate in university activities which I have not been able to in the past which has enhanced my university experience. I know that I have so much to give to younger students who are in the same position I was in, I want to help them enter the medical profession, but I haven’t been able to. Now, with the help of the Black Heart Foundation I am able to dedicate a portion of my time to also help students who will become the doctors of tomorrow.

I am enormously grateful for the generosity of the Black Heart Foundation. It has made a huge impact on my life and I am taking every opportunity to ensure that it makes an impact on the lives of many others.”

“Words cannot describe how honoured and grateful I am to be a recipient of the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship has completely changed my outlook for the next few years of my degree. Thanks to the scholarship, I can concentrate on and look forward to my studies rather than worrying about my living costs. I have been given the chance to fully pursue my educational interests. At my university, working during term time is highly discouraged, therefore this scholarship is vital as I want to be able to have the same chance as my peers to do well at university.

In the past, I have to turn down amazing opportunities that would have helped my pursuit of a legal career tremendously because of the fact that I had to work part-time alongside my GCSE and A-level studies to support myself. Due to the support of the Black Heart Foundation, I can spend my time outside of university taking on these opportunities which will hopefully put me in a position to make a successful training contract application.”

“I am still a DACA student meaning financial aid is not an option, but I graduated North Shore Community College in May 2018 and transferred to Salem state university. This was all possible because of the generous donation of The Black Heart Foundation. I could not have done it without their help. Thank you very much for supporting me in achieving my goals for the past two years.

Thank you again for all your help. Black heart has not only made in impact in my life, my family as well. We can’t express how much your donation means to us.”

“The impact of the Black Heart Foundation has been truly life changing and I extremely grateful for the financial support that they have provided. Thanks to the generosity of the Foundation I was able to enroll at Makers Academy, an intensive Computer Programming Bootcamp. Completing this rigorous course equipped me with the necessary skills to pursue my vocation of becoming an innovative Software Engineer.

The support of the Black Heart Foundation has both empowered and encouraged me to strive towards my goals by removing the financial barriers that stood before me, The only way I can fully express my gratitude is by making the most of this opportunity and leaving no stone left unturned.”

“I feel tremendously grateful to have received a scholarship from The Black Heart Foundation. This scholarship has helped towards living costs in my final year of medical school. It has also helped to fund my 6-week medical elective trip to West Africa; an experience that is crucial to my personal and professional development as a future doctor.

Without the scholarship, I would have needed to dedicate a large amount of time to fundraising whilst coping with the added stress of my upcoming Final Professional Examinations, Situational Judgement Test, Prescribing Safety Examination and UK Foundation Programme job application. Because of the generosity of the Foundation, I have been relieved of an enormous financial burden. I can now dedicate my time more fully to academic commitments. Additionally, I can also dedicate more time to tutoring younger students and getting involved in some Widening Participation events to help encourage university applications in groups currently underrepresented in higher education.

Upon successful completion of my degree, I will begin an exciting and challenging journey into the field of Medicine; building on the skills and knowledge I have gained to save and improve lives in such a unique way. I am truly thankful to the Foundation in helping me to achieve my dreams.”

“Being raised by a single mother who works at a supermarket and being the first person within my family to go to University, I would have never believed that I would one day have the opportunity to study at a world-leading institution such as the University of Cambridge. The Black Heart Foundation scholarship has allowed me to continue my education as a post-graduate and have the opportunity to produce forefront research into furthering women rights. By removing the financial barriers I faced by covering my course costs, as well as providing me with encouragement to overcome the socio-economic constraints due to my background, the Black Heart Foundation has allowed me to focus on my aspirations in helping other women.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am to everyone at Black Heart Foundation for their generosity and support.”

“I am extremely thankful to the Black Heart team who supported my career aspirations by providing a grant. This allowed me to enroll on an industry leading financial modelling course. The benefit of the grant went beyond simply allowing me to enhance my knowledge, it assisted me in challenging the personal and professional boundaries I had erected in my mind.

A multitude of opportunities have arisen from me embarking on the course. A particular highlight is undertaking pro-bono work in relation to a burgeoning early stage East London start-up in order to help them understand their exit strategy options. Without the course, I would not have had the confidence to offer consultation to a business at a pivotal stage of its development. I can safely say that without the support of the foundation I would have been unable to add value.

I now look forward to the future with a renewed sense of purpose and a wider skillset, most importantly I have learnt to challenge the self – imposed limitations we unknowingly put on ourselves. I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Black Heart team, who have continued to support my aspirations. I look forward to giving back and helping others.”

“With the support of the Black Heart Foundation I have been able to begin a major research project (PhD) looking at the rights of children living in extreme poverty and outside the family home to be heard and consulted on the services they receive. The work is being conducted at Northumbria University Centre for International Development. The maintenance grant I received is the only thing that made it financially possible for me to dedicate the time required to conducting this research, and this in turn has allowed me to pass on opportunities to others. Through doing the research I am trying to uphold the Black Heart Foundations ethos by empowering children from all backgrounds to exercise their rights to be heard and responding to this. I am so grateful to the Black Heart Foundation allowing me to conduct work which not only allows me personally to grow as a researcher and charity worker, but also to contribute to societies understanding of children living in extremely vulnerable circumstances.”

“I am most grateful to have been made a recipient of the Black Heart Foundation scholarship. The financial support enabled me to excel in my first year of University without the financial restraints that would have been present without it. When applying to University, I was very anxious about whether I could afford to go. The grant alleviated my worries and doubts and I was able to focus on my studies and thoroughly enjoy my first year at University!

Receiving the grant has given me confidence in achieving my dreams and excelling in my academic studies in ways that I hadn’t imagined were truly possible prior to receiving this financial support. I now have the opportunity to participate in a placement year that is being offered by my course, which will allow me to gain necessary experience in my field, and hopefully strengthen my options in regard to a grad job after I complete my degree. My first year at University was everything I could’ve hoped it would be and more and I am so appreciative for the Black Heart Foundation for making this possible!”

“Thanks to the Black Heart Foundation I have been given the opportunity to have a unique experience in NYC. In August I set off from these shores to live and work in a place I’d never been before and knew very little about, beyond the rumours. Upon arrival I was captivated by the sheer size and pace of the city. I knew that I would be working with young people and it has been a humbling experience to form bonds with these young men and women and to know their stories.

I currently reside in Brooklyn, where I spend 5 days of the week living and working with boys and girls from disadvantaged parts of New York. My role is one of a counsellor but I also teach a little and act as an advisor to the Junior class. Whilst there I have decided to undertake an action research project looking at youths in urban areas of New York, while drawing a comparison with the same in London. This particularly resonates with me as my own upbringing in East London brought with it a number of challenges, which I have now learned to be universal when talking about boys of colour.

This journey has given me the tools to grow and challenge myself and I would like to sincerely thank the Foundation, as without them, this would not have been possible.”

“I graduated from the University of Oxford in 2017. The scholarship I received from The Black Heart Foundation was essential for completing my studies since it funded the greater part of my tuition fees.

Since graduating I have been running STEM Skills Fund, which I founded in 2016. STEM Skills Fund is an educational charity whose objective is to get more girls studying A-level maths and physics and interested in studying a STEM-related subject at university. The Black Heart Foundation has contributed funding to a pilot trial of the Maths and Physics Girls’ Scholarship administered by STEM Skills Fund.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has recently evaluated the pilot trial of the Maths and Physics Girls’ Scholarship and found that it has significantly increased female applications to study A-level maths and physics. The Blackheart Foundation has not only had a positive impact on my own life trajectory but has afforded me the opportunity to positively influence the life trajectory of others in turn.”

“Louis Wallond is a young, aspiring performer who was granted funding from The Black Heart Foundation for professional training at the Gielgud Academy in Sussex. The challenging programme has enabled him to progress in areas of dance such as Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary as well as professional Vocal Coaching and Acting tutoring.

From this experience he has managed to gain a scholarship in Film and TV master classes, awards for most improved senior and male lead in the schools Ballet performance and he has taken part in workshops with West-End and TV professionals John Partridge and Saffron Sprackling.

As a result of this high quality training and experiences, Louis has managed to secure a place in the Musical Theatre Strand at the Brit School for September 2015. He plans then to go to an Arts University to study another Musical Theatre course and hopes to star on the West-End stage.”

“I am grateful for the Black Heart Foundation for blessing me with the scholarship and the opportunity to be able to go to school full time. Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to attend college because of my financial status and my ineligibility for financial aid due to my DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. This status only allows me to get a job and go to school and pay in-state tuition, but does not grant me financial aid.

The scholarship has helped me tremendously. I am able to further my education to achieve all the goals I have set for myself. I will hopefully graduate in the summer of 2018 if I continue to take 5 classes each semester. I am trying my best at North Shore Community College so that I may complete a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology.”

“I feel extremely honoured to be a 2016-17 recipient of the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship. The generosity of the Foundation has enabled me to commence upon a part time Masters in Education at the University of Durham. Over the next three years, I will be studying part time at this prestigious institution, whilst working full time for an education charity to continually apply my learning.

It remains true that the likelihood of young people achieving their aspirations is intrinsically linked to their opportunities for educational access. It is my hope that the knowledge and experience I gain through my Masters Degree can be used to implement solutions that create and widen educational access and opportunity for many students. This is the beginning of a challenging and exciting venture, and I am so grateful to be supported in my ambitions through the Black Heart Foundation, without whom none of this would be possible.”

“Receiving an award from the Black Heart Foundation has allowed me to pursue postgraduate study at the London School of Economics where I will be undertaking a Masters in Social Policy in September 2016. Without this scholarship, it would have been impossible for me take up my offer from such a prestigious university. My scholarship has removed the financial pressure associated with higher education and particularly postgraduate study and will allow me to focus and fully immerse myself into my degree.

I am truly grateful for the support as it has helped me work towards my desire to improve social policy in the UK, particularly within the education sector. I hope to positively impact social mobility and the prospects for young people from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds. My lifelong goals and dreams are based on the problem of educational inequality which I want to help solve and I am pleased that the Foundation is helping me to realize this dream by funding my postgraduate study.”

“Boarding life has given me a chance to be more active. I am always grabbing opportunities to improve on my sporting techniques in games such as badminton, hockey and basketball. I made it into the football team, this was a tough trial so I am very proud of myself. This also brought opportunities to meet new friends.

Overall, I would just like to thank you for the opportunity and I hope to keep you updated in the future.”

“The School of Communication Arts offers a very different learning style. They practice learning by doing, and aim to get their students jobs in the creative sector rather than degrees. Unfortunately, there is no government funding available for this type of study. Without receiving The Black Heart Foundation Scholarship, there would of been no way I could have accepted my place at the school. As well as the course fees, the trustees have also given me the chance to create advertising campaigns for their forthcoming charitable events. I really can’t thank the foundation enough.”

“Without the funding I received from the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship Programme I would not have been able to attend the Acting course at Drama Centre London. I would not be able to take this crucial step on my chosen career path. Therefore my future prospects in the theatre industry have undoubtedly been given a huge boost by the Scholarship Programme.

I am currently approaching the end of my course and I have learnt a lot. I have worked with industry professionals on a daily basis; been taught new techniques and approaches to acting in a supportive and practical environment; I have been able to put new skills into practice, performing regularly throughout the training; and I have worked with some very talented people who I’m sure I will work with again and again during my career. I have also travelled; as part of the course I have trained in Greece and Russia. I am now a more prepared, knowledgeable and skilled actor than I was prior to the training, and this is thanks to The Black Heart Foundation.

This scholarship has meant that I can pursue a career that, unfortunately, is increasingly closed to those without financial backing. This is particularly so with Postgraduate training. The funding I received has opened this career path to me and I’m sure the programme will continue to open career paths for others in the future.”

“I am sincerely honored and grateful to be a recipient of the Black Heart Scholarship. The award enabled me to pursue a master’s degree at the world-renowned London School of Economics, studying International Health Policy. Having grown up in South-East London as a young black female, surrounded by various issues such as crime, poor educational opportunities and poor housing, I always felt I could change my life with a good education. Pursuing a master’s degree in Health Economics has equipped me with the applied and profound abilities to influence domestic healthcare policies in the future. I am able to focus on the important educational aspects of this experience, as opposed to being distracted by the financial strain.

During my time at the LSE, I have been coached and mentored by key researchers in the international health specialism and exposed to a wealth of exciting opportunities. Because of this scholarship, all the aspirations I hold for myself are ever becoming a reality. This generosity has further inspired me to help others and give back to the community. As well as continued support to the Black Heart cause, I am motivated to help young unprivileged people also achieve their educational goal.”

“The Black Heart Foundation scholarship has helped me in ways difficult to articulate in words. Firstly, I remain wholly grateful for the Foundation’s monetary support, without which I wouldn’t have had the means to enroll on the Legal and Political Theory MA course at UCL. However my gratitude extends beyond just a recognition of the financial support. Whilst obtaining the scholarship, I also attained the warm hand of encouragement imparted upon me via the gracious personnel within the Foundation. One can calculate the fees of the masters, but it is impossible to quantify the added value of having Mr. Ric Lewis and The Black Heart Foundation instill faith into your dreams.

In its immediate context, completing this multi-discipline degree has opened an array of career opportunities. Although my applications are directed towards the private sector (in London and Africa), public policy work and academic research are now also realistic aims.

Finally, it is when I refer to the wider context of the benefits incurred unto me by the grant, that I’m truly moved by the charity of the Foundation. Born into a socially, economically and politically disadvantaged sect of the population, both in terms of race and region, access to legitimate success remains accessible largely through the exclusive door of education only available for the privileged. I’ve undeservedly received such a privileged education and I’m obliged to share it with my community. And so, not only have I acquired this masters, but so have, my family, my friends and my neighbours.”