A South Cumbrian care leaver who has used her experiences to help others has been awarded a prestigious scholarship.
Jade Ainsworth, of Barrow, found herself in care aged 16. It changed her life and she saw her confidence dwindle and her dreams become uncertain.
She decided to help others. She said: “Whilst in care, I often felt my own voice was unheard, so volunteered with Healthwatch Cumbria, becoming the patients’ voice in hospital and care settings.
“I also volunteered with Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to represent young people’s voice and share their experiences on police procedures. I discovered that training and better mental health knowledge was needed within crime prevention. I presented the findings to police and policing commissioners and, as a result, several policies were amended.”
Finishing a diploma in humanities and social sciences with distinctions, Jade finally had the confidence to apply to university.
She began to study mental health nursing at Edgehill University and saw a leaflet for its Excellence Scholarship so decided to apply.
Jade said: “I imagined what it would feel like to be recognised for helping others, but didn’t think I would be successful. When I was told the news, I felt like I’d been acknowledged for everything I’d been through: I felt seen.
“It’s nice to know that I was awarded a scholarship not only for my volunteering work, but because I never gave up in the face of adversity, through determination and my passion to be a nurse.”
“Applying to university was a big step for me. I’d moved around in care so much that I didn’t know if I’d fit in or have a sense of belonging.
“I struggled at first with living in halls, as it was another move for me, but I soon realised that everyone was in the same boat and working towards the same goal. Everyone is so supportive, the cleaners in halls were a regular friendly face and the lecturers are amazing.”
Jade is currently learning Swahili as she plans to use her scholarship to fund her formative placement to Tanzania in Africa next summer, supporting young people in hospitals. Jade wants to learn practices abroad and hopes it will increase employment opportunities.
