Help Shannon secure her place at Mountview (MATA)

Hellooo :) my name is Shannon and I am trying to raise funds to secure my place at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. I am absolutely thrilled to bits to have been offered a place at Mountview to study acting at Master's level this September 2022!

 

I had a difficult and traumatic start in life and I ended up being put into foster care when I was a teenager. I became a mother when I was just fifteen, and I have solely provided and cared for my daughter ever since. So I missed out on my education, and any ambitions or goals were not feasible, as I was now responsible for a whole other human!!! So I went to work. Now my girl is thirteen, and I am twenty-nine.

 

In January 2020, when I had just turned twenty-seven, my mother died suddenly and unexpectedly. My little brother, who was twelve at the time, came to live with my daughter and me. My property wasn't big enough for us all to live in, so instead of supporting us in securing a bigger property, Lewisham social services removed my brother from us and placed him in foster care. This, and coming to terms with the fact that my mother is gone and isn't returning, caused me to suffer from PTSD, anxiety and depression. Losing my mum and losing my brother to the care system shifted my perspective on life. I decided that my past wouldn’t define me and that I do have ambitions worth chasing. I took control of my life and my destiny. I decided to follow my deepest dreams. To honour my inner child. And she is an actress. And a writer.

The first step was taking the acting part-time course at Rose Bruford College in September 2020. I completed this and quickly realised that I was on the right path, so I applied for the foundation course at the same college. I was offered a place on the course. Due to my low income and lack of finances, I applied for the bursary. After completing a task where I wrote and performed a taped monologue, I was awarded the first Bernadine Evaristo Scholarship. I joined in September 2021 and graduated from the foundation course in March 2022. I am absolutely delighted to have been offered a conditional place to study the MA in Acting at Mountview in September 2022.

 

The course fee is £17,680

 

The first instalment is due to be paid by the end of April and is £1135, and this payment is to secure the place on the course.

 

I am trying, but am struggling to come up with the money, as a single parent trying to gain employment post COVID is proving very difficult. If I were able to complete this course, I would be able to continue on my path and my studies which have really changed my life, mentally and creatively. I know that the skillset and experience that I will gain will propel me to success in the industry. The course will help me achieve my goals of securing an amazing future for myself and my daughter. I really want to inspire, and change the perspective of what a care leaver and young mother can achieve. The only thing holding me back is my finances or lack thereof, which is something that I am working hard on changing, by educating myself well, and becoming great at my craft.

 

Absolutely any size donation and sharing of my journey is deeply appreciated!

 

Much love

 

instagram is @missshannonward for anyone who might be interested in hearing more!

 

Shannon xxx