Muir helps make man's education dream come true
A MAN will be able to continue his education after Muir helped him secure funding via a charitable trust.
Samuel Esiategiwa, 46, is pursuing an ambition to become qualified in mental health nursing and is in the process of completing an Open University degree.
The Muir Group resident has been praised by the housing association for assisting ethnic minority groups to integrate into the Blackpool area where he lives.
Following Muir’s help, Mr Esiategiwa, who works full-time to put his family through their own university courses, received notification from The Talisman Charity that he will benefit from a £1,640 donation to ensure he can complete his own studies following a recent operation.
Mr Esiategiwa’s Tenancy Services Officer at Muir, Barbara Stephenson, said she was approached by him to see if the housing association could help after discovering he was unable to receive grant funding for the last two modules of his course.
“This has made a big difference,” said Mr Esiategiwa, pictured here with Barbara. 
“I felt much relief for both me and my family when I found out the funding application had been accepted.
“Muir Group helped me throughout the process and I am very pleased to be able to continue my education because of it.”
Mr Esiategiwa has been studying through the Open University since 2012, achieving certificates in both Business and Legal Studies.
His goal is to do a further course in Mental Health Nursing so he can benefit the community in which he lives.
“Mr Esiategiwa is a great asset to the Blackpool community,” Barbara said.
“He assists local ethnic minority groups to integrate into the area by helping with translations and also with guidance and friendship.
Barbara approached her fellow Muir TSO, Rob Burrows, to see how funding could be gained due to his extensive knowledge of approaching outside agencies.
“He pointed me in the direction of The Talisman Charity,” said Barbara.
“We waited several weeks without hearing anything and on enquiry were told that if we hadn’t heard anything in six weeks the bid had been unsuccessful.
“We didn’t hold out much hope at this point, but then we suddenly had confirmation that a cheque had been received for £1,640.
“Mr Esiategiwa is now able to continue with his studies and has had a burden lifted.”
He will now be able to complete modules entitled ‘Making Social Worlds’ and ‘The Uses of Social Science’ having previously attained ‘Challenging Ideas in Mental Health’, ‘Counselling Exploring Fear and Social Sadness’ and Personal Lives and Social Policy’ components.
Mr Esiategiwa has just helped put both his daughter and son through university and his wife is also currently studying nursing at UCLAN.
He also underwent an operation earlier this year as he struggles with mobility due to hematoma.
To learn more about The Talisman Charity, visit www.talismancharity.org