Customer Awarded £500 Unlocking Success Bursary to Support Return to Education
Update – March 2026
Since securing the £500 Unlocking Success Bursary last August, our customer has gone on to achieve an incredible amount in her journey back into education. The funding supported her return to college, where she has completed courses in English, Mental Health, Awareness of Alcohol Misuse and Awareness of Substance Misuse. She has also gained suicide awareness training, achieved her first aid qualification, and passed most of her English exams — with just one remaining in April.
Even more exciting, she’s grown hugely in confidence, made new connections, and fully embraced the experience of studying again.
And now for the fantastic news: she has received a conditional offer for university starting this September — a huge milestone and a brilliant example of the impact the Unlocking Success Bursary can have in helping customers progress towards their goals.
First published in August 2025
We’re delighted to share that one of our customers has been awarded a £500 Unlocking Success Bursary from the Northern Housing Consortium, supporting her inspiring journey back into education.
Currently studying Level 3 Counselling, she will return to college in September to complete her English Level 2 and Mental Health qualifications - essential steps toward her goal of starting a foundation degree next year. The bursary will help cover the cost of a laptop, travel expenses, and study materials, making a real difference in her ability to succeed while balancing studies and parenting.
She shared her excitement with us:
“I'm so happy and grateful to be awarded the Unlocking Success bursary! It will take a huge financial strain off returning to college in September and support me in getting a laptop for my studies!
After completing Level 3 Counselling, I'm returning to complete my English Level 2 and Mental Health so I can access the foundation degree next year, so the laptop will go a long way for me!
This will also help support buying some stationery and help with travelling there.
Being a mum of a 1-year-old and trying to juggle so many things, this is going to help me hugely with progressing and reaching my goal of becoming a counsellor in order to help others!
I'm so grateful to be chosen ✨️🙏”
Huge congratulations - we’re so proud to support your journey!
About the Unlocking Success Bursary
The Unlocking Success Bursary is a funding initiative delivered by the Northern Housing Consortium and supported by housing providers like Halton Housing. It’s designed to help social housing tenants overcome financial barriers to education, training, and employment.
Earlier this year, we shared how the bursary has helped customers with the cost of driving lessons, laptops, course fees, and essential training materials - empowering them to take the next step in their personal and professional development.
Although applications for this year are now closed, we’re proud to have supported several customers through this scheme and look forward to seeing the impact it continues to have on their futures.
