Open University scholarship fund to support carers

The Open University has this week launched The Carers Scholarships Fund, which will provide 50 UK-based carers with a full fee-waiver scholarship of up to £18,000 to study an OU course of their choice. To ensure young adult carers are encouraged to apply, 15 places have been reserved for those between the ages of 18-28.

As we mark Carers Week (10-16 June), it is reported that there are 6.5 million people in the UK who are carers, providing unpaid support for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction. The tasks that they perform can be unexpected and difficult to plan around; disrupting everyday life, from relationships and health to finances and work. The practicalities of studying can be difficult for carers of any age, who often feel guilty about going to university or find it difficult to commit to a timetable because of their responsibilities.

The Carers Scholarships Fund is supported by the Carers Trust and Carers UK, and Dame Philippa Russell DBE, Vice President of Carers UK, is acting as an ambassador of the scheme.

Applications for The Carers Scholarships Fund opens in Spring 2020. For further information and about donating too the scheme, please visit https://giving.open.ac.uk/carers

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