A talented musician has overcome the barriers of learning difficulties to pursue her dream career.
Vital wind farm funding made up the shortfall of Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) payments for Isla McDonald who faced losing her place on the HND in Music Performance course at the Academy of Music and Sound in Glasgow.
The 19-year-old struggles with large class sizes and locations, and requires additional support.
The Academy of Music course was therefore best suited for her needs. However, SAAS were only able to fund part of the course.
Isla, from Coalburn, was also helped with travel costs thanks to Banks Renewables’ Connect2Renewables initiative.
The partnership with South Lanarkshire Council helps local young people into employment through training, advice, and financial support.
It's now allowed Isla to follow her dream.
The aspiring musician is one of more than 300 young people supported by the scheme which covered the shortfall in her fees.
Isla, a former pupil of Lesmahagow High School, said: “From a young age, I have been obsessed with music, I live and breathe it! After a careers event at my school in S4 where I met some of the guys from the academy, I was determined to take my passion for music to the next level.
“Having access to the funding has allowed me to attend the college that is best suited for me.
“As someone who has learning difficulties, I find larger classes and locations difficult and my college is the perfect size to allow me to get all the help I need.”
The teenager has gained great confidence by being put on the right path and has big ambitions for a career in music.
Isla added: “The fund also helps me pay for the travel costs of travel from what is quite a remote area.”
"I plan to finish my HND course this year and continue on at the Academy of Music and Sound, to achieve my BA and receive my degree in music. I hope by then to be performing full time and making a living from something I love.”
Robin Winstanley, external affairs manager of Hamilton-based employer Banks Group, said: “Stories like Isla’s really make us proud of our Connect2Renewables collaboration with the council.
“It’s important to us that our projects deliver meaningful benefits to local communities in which they are located.
“We wish Isla the very best in her career and look forward to delivering more benefits through Connect2Renewables.”
Councillor Gladys Miller, Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Finance and Corporate Resources committee added: “Isla’s experience is one of hundreds of successful stories so far, and a key example of the type of circumstances that the fund can consider supporting.
“I am delighted that the initiative has been able to make a real difference to the life of such a talented young person, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what she does next.”
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