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VICTOR YU: FINDING A NEW PATH

by Education Success StoriesNews

One huge benefit of taking a postgraduate course is that it gives people an extra opportunity to re-shape a career direction if their undergraduate studies no longer remain their key interest and passion.

That proved to be the case for Victor Yu, who studied geography at undergraduate level before changing direction with an Epidemiology MSc at Imperial College London, which led to his current position as Senior Public Health Analyst at Hertfordshire County Council.

One of many recipients of STWLC’s interest-free education loan, Victor began by recounting his early memories of education.

“I grew up around Birmingham and undertook the majority of my secondary education in the region, plus including a brief stint in the US and Scotland for a couple of years,” Victor explained.

“For my undergraduate studies, I went to Loughborough University in the East Midlands, where I studied geography. I remained in Loughborough for a year after graduating to build up savings to fund my masters, whilst I continued training in athletics in the hopes of securing a sports scholarship, to secure even more additional funding. Unfortunately, I did not get this.”

During his search for funding opportunities, Victor first heard about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity online.

“I looked at websites which provided information on postgraduate funding opportunities and found the Charity mentioned. Along with STWLC’s loan, I managed to secure grants from several other charities which also aided in my masters funding.”

With finances secured, Victor commenced a move away from his geography undergraduate studies to instead follow his interest in epidemiology.

“The course content was centred around principles of biostatistics, public health, and epidemiology, taught by world renowned researchers,” Victor continued.

“In the second semester, students were given the choice of more specialised modules, which involved more advanced content around infectious disease modelling, statistical methods like machine learning and advanced regression, and spatial modelling of diseases. The course cumulated in a several month dissertation project, where I worked with researchers on developing a large Bayesian statistical model examining global trends in childhood and adolescent height.

“The course was paramount in helping me transition to a quantitative field related to health,” Victor added.

“Without having done the course, it would’ve have been much more difficult for me to have entered the field and to reach where I am today as I came from a fairly unorthodox undergraduate background, in contrast to my peers who had done degrees like biomedical science, clinical degrees, pharmacy and mathematics.”

It’s clear that Victor’s postgraduate studies have been instrumental in shaping his desired career, and he concluded with a glowing review of the Charity’s interest-free education loan, which helped to make it possible.

“It sounds cliché, but I like the idiom that life is like a box of dominoes falling in to place. Being accepted for the loan has given me all of the experiences of my life since graduating and where I am now. In addition, with the loan being interest-free with a long repayment period, you appreciate the altruism the Trustees have in seeing their applicants succeed, over purely monetary gain.”

If you’re considering postgraduate education like Victor and need funds for tuition or living costs, please click here to read more about our interest-free education loans.

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GWILYM ROBERTS: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

by Education Success StoriesNews

Starting and developing a career in acting is no mean feat. It involves a combination of training, networking and perseverance, but when the love for it is there, it can be an incredibly special career to have.

Growing up in Melton Mowbray, Gwilym Roberts always had an interest in acting through his family, and decided to follow this through a less conventional education route.

“I decided against taking A Levels and did a BTEC course in Musical Theatre at Brooksby Melton College,” Gwilym began.

“Then, I went to the University of Cumbria to continue this further. Whilst there, I realised my love was for just acting, so decided to do a Masters in Acting at Guilford School of Acting.”

It was at this point in time when Gwilym discovered The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity – and specifically, the interest-free education loans available through the Charity.

“We were looking for loans, as I couldn’t afford to do my Masters without additional funding, and my Mum found STWLC. After some research about the Charity, we realised this was a perfect fit,” Gwilym reflected.

One of the UK’s leading accredited drama schools, the Guildford School of Acting provides dedicated training within a purpose-built environment on the University of Surrey campus, focusing on practical actor training through a series of workshops and rehearsals.

“The course was amazing,” Gwilym continued.  

“I was in classes from 9am till 6pm most days, and it was very hands-on and holistic in its approach. I was excited for most classes, and there was a real sense of collaboration.

“It’s helped me get an agent, and furthered my study as an actor. I’ve since appeared in some Shakespeare shows, and am doing so again, and couldn’t have done that without my Masters.”

“Even now, the repayments are just a monthly expense that I don’t worry about. I would, and have, recommended the Charity to many other people, and will continue to do so.”

Gwilym Roberts

Now a Self-Employed Actor, Gwilym concluded with some kind words about his experience with STWLC and the benefits of receiving an interest-free loan.

“I couldn’t have done my Masters without additional funding, and having the security of knowing I didn’t need to start repayments for three years and it was interest-free made me not worry about it whilst studying. Even now, the repayments are just a monthly expense that I don’t worry about. I would, and have, recommended the Charity to many other people, and will continue to do so.”

If, like Gwilym, you are considering a postgraduate course and require funds for tuition or living costs, please click here for more information about our interest-free education loans, available up to £10,000.

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Coming Back Stronger

by Business Grant Success Stories

In September 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity – for the first time in the charity’s long history – delivered individual business grants up to the value of £5,000 for ventures in Leicestershire and Rutland needing investment in the wake of the impact of COVID-19.

For Scott Moore, his business, CEL Sports Ltd, was hit massively. Providing sports coaching from grassroots to the top level, the closure of schools and suspension of grassroots sport just as his business was starting forced a quick change in direction. With help from an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, CEL Sports Ltd was able to open a gym in Glen Parva which, with social distancing in place, enabled the business to continue operating.

However, as Scott explains, the impact of COVID-19 in full led to a huge loss in revenue. When lockdown came to an end, Scott was quick to apply for further help from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity through a £5,000 grant.

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Space to Teach

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication and importance of the nation’s teachers was deservedly highlighted, through the adaptation to remote learning or the continuation of educating children of key workers across the country.

However, for many, the pandemic also provided an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to reflect on all facets of life: work, family, living; many people were able to obtain fresh perspective.

For Victoria Corcoran, a foot was in both of the aforementioned camps. A teacher with 14 years of experience, Victoria was employed by one of the county’s schools throughout the early stages of the pandemic. However, eager to juggle her passion for teaching with a busy family life, Victoria identified an opportunity to become self-employed and start her own business – and Victoria Corcoran Tutoring was born.

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£75,000 Approved In Interest-Free Loans in Opening Quarter of 2022

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce that a total of £75,000 was approved in unique interest-free loans to people in Leicestershire and Rutland, at the culmination of the opening quarter of 2022.

Based in the heart of Leicester city centre, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides loans of up to £20,000 to new and existing businesses within the county, and loans of up to £10,000 for students wishing to study at postgraduate level.

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Ten Loans Approved in Latest Quarter by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to reveal that a total of £101,300 was approved in interest-free loans for people in Leicestershire in the third quarter of 2021.

One of the county’s oldest charities, having been established in 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides interest-free loans to people within Leicestershire and Rutland, either to fund postgraduate education or to enable people to start or develop businesses.

In the latest quarter, three business ventures are set to benefit from a collective £40,000, including a beauty salon and café.

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Over £170,000 Approved in Unique Loans to Benefit Businesses and Postgraduate Education Ventures

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that a sum of £174,400 has been awarded in interest-free loans to people within Leicestershire, following the conclusion of the charity’s second quarter of 2021.

One of Leicester’s oldest charities, having been established in 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides loans to people within Leicestershire which are truly unique. Loans awarded by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity are completely interest-free, with borrowers having a three-year rest period before equal monthly repayments commence over the following six years.

In the second quarter of the year, a total of 10 interest-free loans, totalling £134,400 have been awarded. Ventures that are set to benefit from the charity’s funding include a haulage company, a clothing brand and a tattoo artist.

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£34,750 Approved in Interest-Free Loans in Opening Quarter of 2021

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity approved four interest-free loans, totalling £34,750, following the conclusion of its opening quarter for 2021.

Based at Friar’s Mill in Leicester, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity – established in 1542 – provides interest-free loans to people aged over 18 and under 45 in Leicestershire and Rutland, to aid business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Of the four loans approved in March 2021, three will be utilised by students within or from the county, to enable them to continue education at postgraduate level. A total of £25,000 was approved to support students, two of which will be participating in an MSc in Mental Health and an MSc in Doctoral Studies.