Alongside Prime PLC we have established the Prime & Assura Healthcare fund to support aspiring healthcare students in partnership with the University of Surrey.
The fund, totalling £100,000, aims to foster inclusivity and invest in the future healthcare workforce. It will achieve this by providing financial support to students who may face barriers accessing higher education.
Students studying a foundation year or undergraduate degree course in Surrey’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (excluding veterinary courses), and who fall under the widening participation criteria, can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 each academic year to help with their studies or day-to-day living costs.
This partnership embodies our commitment to health enhancement in our development areas and combined with Prime's community focus – enhancing education, physical and mental health and social wellbeing, this collaboration supports the University’s commitment to nurturing healthcare providers of the future.
We have worked with Prime in Surrey to develop a new cancer care centre, which is set to complete later this year. By establishing this fund, we both hope to inspire longstanding positive change in the area and encourage aspiring healthcare professionals.
Phil Holland, Chief Investment Officer at Prime, said: "Our collaboration with Assura and the University of Surrey reflects Prime's dedication to social value and making a meaningful contribution to the areas surrounding our projects. We believe that education and healthcare are pillars of strong communities. This fund is a step forward in ensuring aspiring medical professionals can overcome challenges they may face when furthering their education, ultimately contributing to a more diverse and skilled healthcare workforce.”
Karen Nolan, our Social Impact Lead, added: “This is an exciting partnership for us. Both Prime and Assura have shown great commitment to having a positive social impact on the communities close to their buildings and that is certainly the case with a new cancer care centre in Surrey. One of the key aspects of our purpose as a business is to invest in skills and new ways of working and this partnership will enable us to do exactly that. We are very proud to support the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Dr Sarah Trinder, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and Programme Director for BSc (Hons) Biochemistry at the University of Surrey, said: “With the cost of living as it is, many students have to take part-time work to support and fund their studies. Bursary aid such as this is invaluable because it levels the playing field and supports wider and more diverse participation – reducing the amount of paid work students need to take on, and supporting access to healthcare careers.”
For more information about the Prime & Assura Healthcare Fund, eligibility criteria and application details, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries/prime-assura-healthcare-fund-2023.