Santander Universities supports students and businesses affected by Covid-19
Posted on 18 May 2020
The funding will be split between the Emergency Student Support Fund created to support students facing unanticipated financial challenges as a result of the pandemic, and a limited number of paid virtual internships for students who would otherwise struggle to find summer work experience opportunities or the usual summer job many students rely on.
The funds will allow students to undertake paid virtual internships with small local businesses that will be carried out remotely, in accordance with social distancing measures. Businesses under two years old, and charitable organisations are eligible for a fully funded intern, while other businesses will receive a 50% subsidy towards the intern’s pay. The move is designed to directly benefit smaller organisations in the York area as they emerge from the current crisis.
Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement, said:
“This funding will have a huge impact on students and the local economy. We know that many smaller and newer businesses are struggling to manage the impact of the pandemic, and this will enable them to benefit from the enthusiasm of our talented students: meanwhile, many students are now unable to find summer work and are facing immediate financial challenges due to loss of income, and losing out the work experience that will set them apart from other graduates in the longer term. This incredibly generous donation from Santander will help our students get through the immediate challenges and thrive in their future careers”.
Manyepu Edna Mubvumba, a BSc Mental Health Nursing student who has received Emergency Student Support Funding said:
“The student support fund is important as it enables students to continue with their studies without worrying about the situation around them. The emergency support helped me to continue with my studies and provide for my family in this difficult time. Thank you ever so much.”
Santander is a long-term supporter of the university and since 2012 their support has enabled hundreds of students to access work experience, undertake international travel, and start their own business. This new funding is part of a total of £4.5 million Santander Universities has donated to its UK university partners to support their pandemic relief efforts and is just one of the initiatives introduced by Santander UK in response to the coronavirus outbreak to support communities. These include a £1million donation from the Santander Foundation to Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society to support some of the most vulnerable people in the community following the outbreak of Covid-19 and doubling the work time that Santander employees can claim to volunteer.
If you are interested in hosting a student intern, please visit the Student Internship Bureau’s website for details of the programme.