For first-generation university student from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, Nimra Ahmeed, her mentor changed the whole course of her education. During a time of deep uncertainty for all students, Ahmeed was able to discover direction and community. Her mentor, Natalie Maloney, spent countless hours preparing her students to understand how to maneuver the thorny challenges of higher education.
Ahmeed, sporting a green hijab and a nose ring, thanked Maloney for her mentorship. She underscored that she would have been “dead in the water” without her advocacy. Maloney, 54, a solicitor who qualified in the 1990s. He continues to volunteer for the Social Mobility Foundation, doing his bit to ensure that local underprivileged students are able to go further with their education.
“Some people might not want to reach out as they may feel it’s something to be embarrassed about, for me it’s been so helpful,” Ahmeed said regarding her experience with Maloney. That relationship and the bond they developed has been invaluable as Ahmeed begins her academic career.
Maloney’s role during such turbulent times has been to meet students where they are, quite literally. Not only does she relate to the struggles of first gen students, but she really hopes to help ease their transition. “That’s why I am so passionate to help others – I know what it’s like,” Maloney stated.
That mentorship is desperately needed at this moment. The government recently committed that from next September, an additional 500,000 children will be eligible for free school meals. This trend has amplified fears about the growing attendance gap at universities between students from low- and high-socioeconomic status backgrounds. New statistics have revealed the widening university attendance gap between pupils entitled to free school meals and their peers. This gap hasn’t been this wide in over 60 years.
Sarah Atkinson, chief executive of the leading children’s charity Barnardo’s, said investment in prevention was vital. She explained that the more students who have access to free school meals, the greater the demand for university places would become. “These places would be in even greater demand,” she stated.
Maloney backs the administration’s effort as a significant step towards creating a “level playing field” for all students. She’s passionate about equitable access to resources that build inclusive educational climates where all of our students thrive.
As Ahmeed pursues her studies, she’s both hopeful for the future and appreciative of the support she receives from Maloney. Ms. Brown explained how the mentorship program helps students stay in school not just with graduation prayers and tutoring but with emotional and psychological care. It goes a long way in easing the anxiety of going into university and not knowing what is in store for you.
