Open University:

The Foundation supported 12 young people who are unpaid carers to flexibly study for a Bachelor’s degree in Year 1 over two years (six each academic year) and one cohort of six young people studying in Year 2. This Fund addresses the need for carers to prepare for life and a career after caring and to make up for lost opportunities where they have been disadvantaged by their situation, for example missing school or not being able to attend university due to caring commitments. The Fund will also seek to address the significant financial disadvantage many carers face, by not only providing free access to study, but also additional financial support to assist students in travelling to exams, purchasing set books and other incidental costs related to studying. This year, the Foundation extended its commitment for the next three years to ensure those who have started their education journey can see it to the end.