Carlynn McKinven, LLB Hons Student (FT)
I have always been interested in Criminal Justice.
This is mainly because of my own experience as a child. My late father spent many periods of my childhood in and out of prison.
As a consequence, my years at school were an extremely difficult period in my life. I left school at the age of 15 without sitting a single exam.
Years later, it was as a mother raising my three children I began to reflect and think about how I would like to use my experiences with criminal justice, with the aim, of hopefully one day, supporting others in a similar situation.
Once my three children were in school, I decided to attend a SWAP course (wider access program), designed for adults with no formal qualifications. This was an exciting time. However, to gain access to the Strathclyde LLB program I was required to gain AAA in the swap program, a grading which only 10% of wider access students achieve.
Throughout the year, I worked incredibly hard, juggling childcare, schoolwork, and college. Thankfully, my hard work paid off: I achieved the grades required for studying Scots Law LLB at Strathclyde.
So at the age of 33 my University experience began. At first, it was extremely daunting.
However, I performed well in Semester One of my first year, particularly in my Criminal Law class.
Then, midway through Semester Two, the pandemic struck. I was then faced with not only studying for my degree online at home, but also with having to home-school my three small children. This was an incredibly challenging time, especially throughout the exam period.
The ongoing pandemic brought me uncertainty about how my children’s school year would work out, as well as uncertainty about how the second year of my LLB would go for me. These concerns and practical challenges caused me anxiety.
One of my children has additional support needs. I was worried that by pursuing my own education I was putting her, and her siblings’, education at a disadvantage. I questioned whether I could continue on the LLB course.
Had it not been for the award of a John Fitzsimons Scholarship I would have been unable to continue to the second year of the LLB.
When I learned before the start of my second year of the LLB that I was successful in my application for a John Fitzsimons scholarship, I was just so relieved that I could continue my own studies alongside home-schooling my children. It also allowed me to purchase the additional IT devices which allowed all four of us to study from home. The John Fitzsimons Scholarship has made a huge difference to our home life.
Year two, for me, was a huge challenge. However, I’m delighted to say that this did not stop me achieving high marks. I had my strongest results in any exam period in Semester Two!
I can honestly say, this would not have been possible without the opportunity afforded to me by the John Fitzsimons scholarship.
I would like to thank everyone involved with this programme. It really has made a huge difference to my studies.
Brian Barclay, LLB Hons (FT Student)
Studying Law at Strathclyde University has been the greatest privilege for me. As a mature student with four children and as a carer it was extremely challenging and financially perilous. I came to higher education late in life because my childhood was difficult, I spent time in care due to my parents’ struggles with alcohol misuse. My education was badly affected as a result of this.
The trauma and damage to my self-esteem meant that I have questioned myself, second guessing if I am making the right decisions to study for an LLB, wondering whether I have been putting my family at risk by gambling their quality of life as I try to chase my dreams of a brighter future. These pressures were further exacerbated within the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is for these reasons that I am so appreciative of all the support that has been provided for me by the John Fitzsimmons Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Like John Fitzsimmons I am a mature law student and a father and as such I have found myself in need of the extra support. It has made things easier for my children as much as it has myself and that in turn allows me to work harder without the feeling that I am letting my kids down.
The support of this scholarship also bolstered my confidence in an unexpected way for me. It has given me belief that my ambitions were worthy of support, that I had potential that others recognised and would be prepared to nurture. That gave me confidence and time to enjoy the challenge.
I graduated from Strathclyde in June 2021 with First Class Honours!
I know that achieving that standard would not have been possible without the support of the Scholarship and I am extremely grateful to the benefactors and organisers. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved with the contribution and organisation of this program.
I am now progressing to postgraduate study across the city at Glasgow University where I will be studying a Master of Research in Law with the hope of one day coming back to Strathclyde where I have spent four happy years.
I look forward to meeting and to offer my own support to the future John Fitzsimmons Scholars so that I can help maintain what has been so important to me and my family’s future.
Karen Russell (LLB GE Student)
I was delighted to be awarded a scholarship from the John Fitzsimons Memorial Fund as without it my journey in education would not have been possible.
I am a mother of four children, working part time in a solicitor’s office, which can be challenging both physically, mentally and financially, without the added costs of funding my graduate entry fees for the LLB.
Eleven years ago I had the opportunity to study the LLB programme at Strathclyde, however due to my son being stillborn, I withdrew from the course and life became extremely difficult for quite some time.
After the breakdown of my marriage, I moved with my children to a Scottish island. I had given up all thoughts of pursuing a legal career or studies given the travel and accessibility of attending university.
However, by 2020 with my children being older and the opportunity to progress within the company, I found that going back to studying might be possible, although not without its challenges given Covid and the island ferry situation, but very worthwhile.
Yet none of this would be possible without the financial help of a John Fitzsimons Scholarship. I will be forever thankfully to have been awarded this funding to progress my career and have a secure future for myself and my children.
I look forward to being able to promote and support this fund in the future to help others who due to financial barriers cannot pursue their desire to further their education and career.
