Homerton College: Driving Change

Driving Change

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FORMING A PERSON, CHANGING THE WORLD

I

am hugely proud to be a Fellow of

develop deep knowledge and skilful means

Homerton. As a College we believe

to lead, innovate and understand complex

in our students, in their potential to

systems that will be of real value in the

shape the world for the better: not just

world. I never cease to be impressed by the

academically, but practically and in ways

young people whom I meet – their drive,

that benefit everyone. Philanthropic

determination, and talent. And with your

support is helping us create the

support we can make sure people like them

Changemakers Programme, which will

continue to join us and flourish as part

give our students the opportunity to

of Homerton.

Dr Alison Wood Academic Director, Homerton Changemakers

“As a College we believe in our students, in their potential to shape the world for the better…”

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“The knowledge I gained, the experiences I had and the links I made will be a big part of shaping my future, and my future work.�

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UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY

I

want the future to be one of equality.

I wrote to the College asking for help.

I have spent a year fundraising for Unicef

They gave me a grant that enabled me

UK as President of the Cambridge Unicef

to attend and supported me through the

Uk On Campus Society, and am a proud

whole process, even putting me in touch

volunteer of the National Council of Women,

with amazing and helpful alumni in New

a women’s rights organisation founded in

York working in relevant areas (including

1895. When I was offered the opportunity

the UN). The knowledge I gained, the

to attend the UN Commission on the Status

experiences I had and the links I made will

of Women as a delegate for the National

be a big part of shaping my future, and

Council of Women, I knew it was a life-

my future work. Supporting Homerton

changing opportunity to learn more about

gives students like me the opportunity

the challenges people and governments

to make the most of our time here at

face as well as understanding the process of

the College, and allows us to pursue

negotiations that makes change happen – but

the skills and experiences to continue

I would not be able to afford it.

making a difference when we leave.

Helena Trenkic ` BA History, 2nd Year

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“I feel like I’m so well supported here, that I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Daniya Ahmed, BA History, 1st Year

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CATCHING ME BEFORE I FALL

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upport from Homerton made a

That’s when my College stepped in.

huge difference to me. When I

Luckily, the College had funds for people

arrived from Bangladesh for my

in my position.

Masters, I relied on my family to fund me.

However, someone close to me fell ill, after

With that support, I completed my course

which that money wasn’t available anymore.

and was later accepted on a PhD, fully

I was mid-way through my Masters, learning

funded by the Cambridge Trust. Without

things no other course could offer me, with

Homerton, I would never have finished my

a brilliant supervisor, in a great community.

Masters, and never have been able to get on to this PhD. I’m proud to be at what I

I knew that if I couldn’t find the funds,

call my Cambridge Home – Homerton.

I would never be able to pick up where I had left off.

Anonymous Postgraduate Biological Science

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“Cambridge is a wonderful place to be but it is not cheap and the need for financial support grows ever greater.�

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PAYING IT FORWARD

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here’s no doubt that Homerton

since then. Cambridge is a wonderful place

has had a huge effect on my life.

to be but it is not cheap and the need for

I arrived as a rather naïve young

financial support grows ever greater.

man with an idealistic vision of teaching and schools but coming here and spending time

This is why I make a monthly donation.

in schools completely changed how I saw

Homerton’s support network allows the

education and society. Although I never

College to help those who need it most and

taught, I’ve spent my entire working life in

can make the process fair and accessible – and

education and enjoyed it enormously.

with greater diversity comes greater success.

It’s also exciting that Homerton still has a

Lack of proper student financial support

willingness to keep reviewing what is offered

is a genuine obstacle to access to higher

to students and how to help them fulfil their

education. When I was President of

potential. Given the College’s distinguished

HUS in 1989 we campaigned against

history in education it is absolutely appropriate

student loans but the campaign was

that it should drive change today towards

unsuccessful and the financial landscape

an accessible educational experience with

for many students has become bleaker

relevance to the demands of the 21st century.

James Thomson BEd, 1987 11

Development Office, Homerton College, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PH T: 01223 747280 E: development@homerton.cam.ac.uk www.homerton.cam.ac.uk Registered Charity 1137497 12