Congratulations to the ENCourage Class of 2023!
The first ENCourage Scholarship students graduated this year.
ENCourage was Edinburgh Napier’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign aimed to give current students the courage to stay in university at a time when part-time work and other forms of support were evaporating.
Launched during the early days of the pandemic it was nothing short of a crisis appeal, as students grappled with the rapidly changing circumstances, unable to access support from central sources. The response from alumni, staff, friends and supporters of Edinburgh Napier was humbling and the campaign raised enough in a short time period to provide vital support to over 400 students.
The first students from this cohort graduated this year and everyone at Edinburgh Napier was proud to applaud them walking across the stage to receive their diplomas. One of these students was Sarah Jane Costley-Wood. Originally from the Isle of Arran, Sarah Jane graduated in BN Adult Nursing. We asked Sarah to tell us what the ENCourage scholarship meant to her, and how it broadened her experience and learning while at Edinburgh Napier:
"Getting the scholarship helped a lot with my placement. I could get a bus pass to commute to the hospital. I could also buy enough food to support me on long shifts, which was really helpful because they take a lot of energy. And it made me feel a lot more supported because I know that a lot of people who are in care don't often go to university because they struggle when they're younger. So, it helped to feel like there was something out there to help people like that so.
My best memory at Edinburgh Napier is definitely the placements that I've been on. Each one has been so great, the team did really well to put me in different areas. I was able to see a wide range of things. And I think the organisation with them was really good too. Whenever I needed help with something there always was a team member right there to provide whatever I needed.
I loved my time at Edinburgh Napier, it was a great course for nursing, there is definitely a lot of thought put into it. I learned a lot of theory over the years, and then I was able to go on placements and meet a lot of people of amazing people who taught me a lot. Now that I'm nearly graduating, I feel really prepared to do the job."
The initial ENCourage campaign then evolved into ENCourage 21, focusing on giving hope to prospective students hard hit by the pandemic. ENCourage 21 aimed to introduce 21 new scholarships for students starting University in the immediate wake of the crisis.
Once again, the Edinurgh Napier University community stepped up to task and we were thrilled to be able to provide all 21 Scholarships to new starters in 2021. We want to thank all our generous donors for their response at a time that was challenging for everyone, the difference you made to many individuals is incalculable. We can’t wait to celebrate their successes at a graduation ceremony in a couple of years’ time.