SAY Funds Scholarship for Accumulate Students

Accumulate are a wonderful charity providing creative workshops to young, homeless people who are living in hostels or temporary accommodation in London. SAY’s co-founder Debra is a proud Trustee of Accumulate and we are delighted to announce that the first SAY Scholarships have been awarded to its participants.

At Christmas, SAY gifted Accumulates’ ‘Book of Homelessness’ to many of our clients. The book is the first ever graphic novel created by those affected by homelessness. It is through these books that Accumulate has been able to fund additional scholarships for its students and create The SAY Scholarship.

The SAY Scholarship will provide travel bursaries for two participants who qualified for free tuition but still needed their travel paying. It will also provide equipment and art materials for all 4 Accumulate participants who are starting an access course.

Debra attended the award ceremony at The Barbican on the 30th June to meet the participants and give out the scholarship to those selected.

“So today – three of last years respondents told their stories and explained with such clarity how Accumulate has changed their lives. It’s everything you would imagine – abuse, drugs, mental health issues, homelessness, sleeping on buses – to education, degrees from Ravensbourne, homes, confidence to stand up and tell their stories, relationships – and so much more. The power of creativity – and just so much talent. It was so moving and I felt so proud to be a Trustee and to be able to support this years recipients, especially after the year we have had.”

Debra Yudolph, SAY Co-Founder & Accumulate Trustee

As a result of being involved with Accumulate, recent participants have gone on to gain employment, come off benefits, take up training opportunities, move out of the hostel into independent accommodation and get back in contact with their families.

The video below, from the awards ceremony shows some of the work created by Accumulate’s participants.

If you would like more information about Accumulate or to order The Book of Homelessness, you can visit their website here.