OU student Leon, gave up his place at University to become his mother’s full-time carer. When she sadly passed away, Leon knew he had to start over again. Being awarded an Open University Carers Scholarship has given him the chance to start the next chapter of his life, and he is now looking to the future as he studies to achieve his dream of becoming a barrister.

Leon was in his first year at the University of Hull and, despite struggling with his own health issues - debilitating fibromyalgia which caused pain all over his body, and being diagnosed with severe depression, he was looking forward to gaining his degree.

Then Leon received the devastating news that turned his world upside down. His mum had suffered a major stroke which severely affected her mobility and her ability to look after herself.

Sadly, about a month after her stroke, his mum went for some routine scans, and it was then discovered that she had terminal lung cancer. Leon made the decision to become his mum’s full-time carer, which inevitably meant him leaving university and moving back home.

Leon was totally unprepared for all the challenges being a carer would present, both physically and emotionally. Even things like getting his mum to appointments and doing the washing and cooking were very difficult at first. Among many things, Leon became an expert at administering his mum’s blood thinning injections three times a day.

“My world fell apart,” said Leon. “I tried not to show it, but inside I was breaking up and just didn’t know how to cope, whilst at the same time trying to comfort my mum. My own health issues compounded the situation, and it took a huge emotional toll on me. Life was distressing, draining and upsetting all at once.”

Leon was sole carer for his mum for two years before she passed on. “Naturally my mum and her needs had been my absolute priority,” explained Leon, “but I knew I needed to regain my sense of purpose in life.”

Having been an unpaid carer Leon had little money and had no idea how he could get back into studying – something he was very keen to do. He had to start all over again and managed to get a job in a hardware store where a colleague mentioned The Open University to him. He went online and discovered that scholarships were available through the OU’s Carers Scholarships Fund.

“I was motivated to apply because it made me feel wanted at the university,” remarked Leon. “That someone actually understood that my caring responsibility had cost me my chance at a university education was really encouraging. The Open University wants to help people like me get back into study.”

“It’s hard to put into words what being accepted for a scholarship meant to me. I felt sheer joy and a renewed focus. It felt like someone, somewhere had seen how hard things had been and decided I needed a break.”

Leon’s studies have now given him focus, and a new way to give structure to his life – although setting goals and plans for himself was a bit daunting at first, he now confidently plans out his study time and books into tutorials. He is grateful for the support from OU staff who have been on hand to help him along the way.

The ability to study remotely and flexibly with the OU were crucial factors for Leon and now make all the difference in helping him with his self-care and managing his own health conditions.For a long time, Leon has wanted to become a barrister and he sees his degree as the first step on the path to achieve this.

“I’ve always had an interest in Criminal Law and am passionate about helping young people in particular who can’t afford a barrister, and maybe can’t even get Legal Aid,” explained Leon. “I know young people who come from very poor backgrounds who maybe have made a mistake and need legal help. They are often very scared and need someone who can speak on their level and not in an ‘Us v Them’ situation.

I know what it’s like to feel lost with little money and facing huge barriers in life. I want to be proud of myself, graduate and do something good with my life.”

The Open University’s Carers Scholarships were specially created to help students like Leon get the chance to study, develop their sense of identity outside or caring and retrain towards seeking new employment. Carers Scholarships are part of the Open Futures Fund and is truly at the heart of the OU’s mission to make education accessible to all. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Support more carers like Leon

Scholarships like Leon’s are only made possible thanks to the generous support of donors and supporters of the OU. You can help more people like Leon access higher education by joining us for the OU’s Giving Day – a 36-hour challenge starting at 9am 7th July to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries that will transform lives and rewrite futures.