Fundraising lunch celebrates bursary award winners  

The NHC hosted a fundraising lunch at Ramside in Durham to celebrate the 2025 Unlocking Success Bursary winners. The event attended by 150 people, including NHC members and supporters which raised funds for next year’s round of bursaries. 

The Unlocking Success Bursary offers £500 grants to people living in social housing to fund training or employment opportunities or to help them start their own business.  

This year the NHC awarded 25 bursaries. At the event bursary recipients Claire and Melissa shared their stories. Claire read out a poem she wrote about the bursary describing it as “the moment that changed everything”. Not only did the bursary help her upskill as a digital artist but it also boosted her confidence, knowing someone believed in her. We also heard from other bursary winners via video. 

Entertainment for the event was provided by Sunderland College – with students playing Christmas songs live. A group of students also performed spoken word piece ‘Mark this City’ which covers the themes of resilience and adaptability as part of The Underdog Project. Students also photographed and videoed the event. 

Congratulations to all the bursary winners and a big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this fantastic event.  

For more information on the Unlocking Success Bursary Scheme visit our website here.