East London-born comedian and broadcaster Judi Love has launched a new funding initiative with the University of East London (UEL) to support low-income students, single parents and carers.
The Dr Judi Love award will offer three students who fit the above criteria £3,000 each in financial support, along with mentoring opportunities.
The award is aimed at students who are pursuing careers in social work, law, psychology and the creative industries.
Love told this paper: "Being able to support students who are walking the path I once walked is incredibly close to my heart.
"I know exactly what it's like to feel like university isn't a world built for you."
Love was born in Hackney and raised in Waltham Forest.
She studied community arts practice and combined studies at UEL as an undergraduate, whilst also being a single mother to two children.
She later returned to do a Master's degree in social work.
In September 2025, she received an honorary doctorate of arts from the university in recognition of her services to comedy, broadcasting and underrepresented voices.
Love said that as a mature student and a single mum-of-two children at university, she was "constantly worrying about money and trying to prove to myself that I belonged".
She added that she was grateful "to be in a position now where I can reach back and offer a helping hand to someone going through that exact same struggle".
"I have such fond memories of my time at UEL because it was a place that really supported me when I was balancing so much," she said.
"It gave me the confidence to realise I belonged in academic spaces, while raising two children on my own."
Love said that she has "very practical" hopes for those students who will benefit from the scheme.
She wants them to be able to "breathe a little easier" after some of their financial pressures are alleviated by the grant.
She also hopes the award is a "helpful stepping stone" that can support them and boost their confidence.
"I want them to finish their degrees knowing that their background or current struggles shouldn't hold them back from going after what they want," she said.
Debbie Lindsay, head of the student money advice and rights team at UEL, said people will relate to Love's "inspirational" story.
She added: "We are hopeful that this will reach out and support our students coming through the pipeline and equally echo our mission about social mobility and equality across the board."
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