Natasha's story
Hello, my name’s Natasha,
I am twenty-five years old, a single mother and a student at the University of Sheffield. I have just finished my foundation year studying Childhood, Education and Culture and am looking forward to going into my first year at University.
I’ve always enjoyed working with children and learning about different cultures. I had a difficult childhood myself so I’m really passionate about understanding how children are impacted by their surroundings. I chose the University of Sheffield because I knew there would be lots of opportunities for me here.
I didn’t have anyone I could rely on in Sheffield.
After escaping an abusive relationship, I found myself struggling to afford accommodation and experienced homelessness. I managed to secure some temporary accommodation but then found myself with financial difficulties. I borrowed money from a couple of friends but I didn’t have anyone I could rely on in Sheffield.
Finding secure paid work is difficult for me because any job needs to work around my studies and caring for my daughter. I applied for paid work during this summer, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Despite my commitment to my studies my daughter will always be my priority. So thankfully, I managed to keep afloat by securing funding from the Student Hardship grant. I still had to make sacrifices but the funds pulled me out of a dark place, and has helped me stay on the right track with my studying.
I applied for the grant because I didn’t have anywhere else to go for it. The support I secured saved me from struggling to afford essentials and pay the bills. Worrying about money was not a nice experience, so it was a massive relief to have help - like I could breathe again.
The grants have helped me to not feel too overwhelmed and stressed by my financial difficulties.
Balancing childcare, my studies and my ADHD has been made easier by the Student Hardship grant. My ADHD means I find it hard to regulate my emotions and I would often fixate on my financial struggle. The grants have helped me to not feel too overwhelmed and stressed by my financial difficulties. I have been able to study better, and fixate on my essays instead!
I struggled throughout school but now I feel positive and excited about the future and reconnecting with education. I managed to pass with 62.7% for the whole year, which has made me very proud.
I want to give back to the community in Sheffield, that helped me so much.
I hope to change the future for my daughter, and other children. I don’t believe bad children exist but I do believe misunderstood and mistreated children exist. I want to help these young people improve their lives and give them the choice of a better path in life. In the future, I’d like to explore joining the police force as a Liaison Officer. I want to give back to the community in Sheffield, that helped me so much.
If I could, I would invite the people who supported the hardship grant around to my house for a cup of tea and I’d make homemade Punjabi food with different kinds and flat bread. I would invite them into my home to meet my daughter so they can see who I am and how much they’ve helped me. My daughter is the reason I’m at university and why I’m doing everything possible to make sure I achieve my degree and fulfil my potential.
Words cannot suffice my gratitude.
Natasha Kaur Sangha
Childhood, Education and Culture student