How Bradford university student got dream job as NHS nurse

Gloria Ludlow, who was awarded a first class honours in BSc adult nursing from the university, began working as a nurse at St James' Hospital, Leeds, in February.

Before she arrived in the UK in 2002, Gloria had lost her father, brother and sister to illness in her native Zimbabwe.

Once in the UK, she became a victim of modern slavery and for nearly 16 years was forced to work for little or no money - until one day she decided enough was enough.

She heard about the University of Bradford's Sanctuary Scholarship - which is designed to make it easier for asylum seekers and refugees to enter higher education - and decided to apply.

Four years on, she said it was one of the best decisions she ever made. 

"I remember contacting the university and I just told them my story," she said. 

"I was really nervous and didn't know what to expect.

"When I got the phone call telling me my application had been accepted, I was on my way home - and I think I screamed the bus down."

But despite gaining a place, she endured further hardship as her husband, James Ludlow, whom she married in 2020, died of cancer in February last year aged just 35.

Gloria and her late husband, James (Image: University of Bradford)

She said: "It was a very difficult time.

"Suddenly, the person who had been supporting me through everything, the person I loved, was no longer there.

"It all happened so quickly and to be honest I don't know how I managed to get through that."

She added: "The university has been so supportive of me.

"It has been there for me.

"People have been there for me.

"I was a little bit afraid of entering higher education.

"I was a mature student and not from this country.

"But Bradford has given me lots of support - they even did a dyslexia assessment and I received support for that.

"I am grateful I came to this university - it has also supported me mentally, through counselling sessions.

"In addition, all of my lecturers helped me so much.

"I am also grateful to Mosaic Church in Leeds, where I am a member.

"Some days I felt like I couldn't do it.

"Going to university was something I always desired.

"When I was living and working in Birmingham, I used to sit and watch students and I so wanted to be like them.

"Being here now, today, being able to work in the UK as a nurse for the NHS, is a dream come true.

"I am even thinking of buying my own home.

"I couldn't have done any of this without the University of Bradford."

Gloria invited her in-laws Denise and Paul Ludlow, her aunt Molly Mangwende , and her brother and sister, Otis and Dianah, to her graduation ceremony in December.

Gloria with family members (from left) Molly Mangwende (Gloria's aunt), Dianah Kahanda (Gloria's sister), Otis Mangwende (Gloria's brother), and Denise and Paul Ludlow (Gloria's in-laws) (Image: University of Bradford)

Denise called her graduation a "huge achievement", adding: "At one point, after the death of our son, James, she was very broken, but found the strength to carry on."

Molly added: "The scholarship changed her life and it's good to make more people aware of it."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: "Gloria's story is humbling and inspirational.

"I am delighted we have been a part of her journey and that we have helped her overcome obstacles that might otherwise have prevented her from realising her true potential.

"At the University of Bradford, we are committed to making a difference - and Gloria is living proof that we are making that happen."

According to the university's website, the Sanctuary Scholarship is provided to "enable new students seeking asylum, or those already granted refugee status who cannot access student finance, to participate in higher education".

Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria - and it is described as a "competitive process".

For more information about the University of Bradford and the Sanctuary Scholarship scheme, visit www.bradford.ac.uk