Sarah Buckley Therapies awards first ever Student Grant
Sara Bunker from Canterbury in Kent is to be the first recipient of the Sarah Buckley Therapies’ new Student Grant.
The student, who is studying speech and language therapy at University College London, will receive £1,000, access to free speech and language therapy training for the rest of her course, and a CV workshop to help her with her career when she graduates.
Sarah Buckley presenting Sara Bunker with the £1000 grant.
“We got an email over the summer from the head of the course, Dr Rachel Rees,” said Ms Bunker. “I don’t often read these emails about grants or research, but for some reason I did that day, and I thought why not give it a go? But it was very much a shot in the dark, one that worked out very well. When they called to tell me, I thought it was a cold call and it was a huge surprise to receive it!”
MD Sarah Buckley said she chose Ms Bunker from the more than 60 students who applied from all over the country for the grant because of her dedication to the profession. “Sara’s application demonstrated an excellent understanding of the breadth of our profession as well as huge enthusiasm about working with people with speech, language and communication needs.”
Bromley-based Sarah Buckley Therapies created the grant this year to further the profession of speech and language therapy, with recent cutbacks in funding affecting recruitment around the country. It is believed to be the first such grant of its kind.
“It’s our hope that the grant will encourage and help students to enter the profession,” said Mrs Buckley.