Elouise's story

Elouise is a Dentistry student.

Inspired. Genuine. Positive. 

“I’d always dreamt of studying Dentistry at University, but a series of personal challenges made that look almost impossible for me just a few years ago.

Aged sixteen, I left my family home. In the years that followed, I was placed in supported living, had to leave sixth form, found myself jobless and claiming benefits–and was even declared homeless at one point. Things were extremely difficult, and my aspirations of becoming a dentist seemed completely unattainable.

But I dug deep, and refused to give up.

I pursued an apprenticeship in dental nursing, working hard to gain as much experience in the field as possible, as well as earning some money to support myself. My determination paid off, and I soon started to work as a treatment coordinator–but I still dreamt of going further. It wasn’t long after that I found out about the University of Liverpool’s Foundation Year; and my luck started to change.

I’m now studying Dentistry with a Foundation Year at Liverpool, and am blessed to be a recipient of the fully-funded Divock Origi scholarship–a huge help with my finances. The Widening Participation and Outreach team at the University have been a real lifeline to me. Their continuous support helped me to overcome many challenges. It’s because of this incredible support that I decided to become a Liverpool Advocate alongside my studies. This involves talking to and assisting prospective students from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds, sharing my story and promoting the services on offer at Liverpool. I’m even about to start tutoring Year 9-11 pupils at schools across Merseyside.

I am so grateful for the position that I am in. None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t chosen to study at the University of Liverpool”.