From bursary recipients to panel members

As part of Volunteers' Week, we are celebrating the volunteers who help make our grant-making possible.

Last year, several new members joined the Foundation's Education Grants Panel, which reviews applications and makes final funding decisions for University Bursaries, and Vocational Grants. Among them are recent recipients of the Foundation's University Bursary programme who are now helping to shape funding decisions for the next generation of young people.

Having experienced first-hand some of the financial and practical challenges that can create barriers to further and higher education, these volunteers bring valuable lived experience to panel discussions and decision-making. Their insight helps ensure funding decisions are thoughtful, fair and informed by a real understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing young people today.

Volunteer panel members play an essential role in our grant-making process. Applications are initially assessed by our Grants Team before being considered by independent volunteers and Trustees who make the final grant awards. Their experience, knowledge and judgement help ensure our grant-making remains transparent, fair and rooted in local need.

Among those joining the Education Grants Panel are Emmie True and Judetta Whyte.

Judetta received a University Bursary from us in 2021 to study Law at Durham University. Following her graduation in 2024, she is currently studying the LLM Barristers Training Course at Nottingham Trent University.

Emmie received support through the University Bursary programme in 2024 while studying for a BA Illustration degree at Cardiff University. They are now studying for an MA in Illustration and Animation.

Speaking about why she wanted to volunteer, Judetta said: "I wanted to join the education grants panel to make a difference in young people's education and to offer them an adequate chance of developing their talents through further education.

"Having been a recipient of the grant in the past, I am aware of the significant impact it has on individuals' lives, and I wanted to offer my own contribution to society by also helping people in need of financial support for education."

Speaking about why they joined the panel, Emmie said: "I wanted to understand more about and be part of the process that helped me get through my undergraduate degree. Without the bursary, I wouldn't be able to be in the position I'm in now and so I understand how much weight the discussions and decisions hold. I feel I hold a lot of perspective because of this, which benefits these discussions and gives back to what helped me.

"Supporting young people through education is personally important to me. I want to be a part of something that would have helped me when I was that age. I am passionate about the fact that all young people deserve an education that benefits them as much as it can, no matter their background or journey."

Our Programmes Director, Heather Kiel, said: "We are delighted to welcome our new Education Grants Panel members and incredibly grateful that they have chosen to give their time to support young people across Wiltshire and Swindon.

"It is particularly heartening to have recent bursary recipients involved in this panel. Their interest demonstrates the lasting impact of these programmes, and the difference local philanthropy can make."

To find out more about our grants for individuals, including University Bursaries, Vocational Grants and SWEF Enterprise Funding, visit our Grants Overview page.