Gabrielle's Story

Much of our work is supported by people remembering the Centre in their wills. Valerie Watkins wanted her husband Peter’s legacy to help young people into education, and is delighted that their gift enabled one student to study for her degree throughout the pandemic.

For many of the young residents living in the Cardinal Hume Centre’s hostel the lockdown’s have been particularly hard. Many of the hostel residents needed to study online but, without ready access to internet and computer technology, remote learning was a challenge. Gabrielle* a hostel resident studying Law at university, says: “It has been difficult working remotely; I have only been on campus three times this year.”

But in July 2020 the Centre was able to fast-track a planned upgrade to its internet infrastructure to improve access for the young residents. The Centre was also able to buy Gabrielle her own laptop, thanks to a gift left in the will of Peter, a long-term Centre supporter. Access to a laptop made a world of difference to Gabrielle’s studies:

“Having the laptop meant I could work when it suited me. I didn’t need to ask a staff member to escort me down to the IT suite. It meant that I could access documents I needed and apps that have really help me improve my writing.

The Cardinal Hume Centre provides a safe and secure home so young people like Gabrielle can pursue their ambitions, she is one of several young residents currently studying at university.  

“Going to university makes me feel like I am doing something with my life. It makes me proud to think that I am making my family proud. Completing my first year has given me even more belief that I can make something of myself. I believe that having studied will give me more options.”

Providing a safe home to young people is only made possible with the help of our supporters.

Peter’s wife Valerie said of her husband’s legacy: “The Covid 19 virus has made us much more aware of social inequalities. When my family heard that my husband’s legacy had helped Gabrielle to continue with her degree studies the joy we felt was quite overwhelming. We understood that his legacy was going to the right place.”

You can learn more about leaving a gift in your will here

To help ensure we are there to support more young people like Gabrielle make a donation today

*We have changed the young person’s name to protect their privacy.