Skip to content

'I thought uni was for young and rich – not me'

Leeds University A woman wearing a navy blue and white gown wearing a teal lace dress. She has long black hair and is smiling. She stands in front of a large gate.Leeds University
Anti-knive crime campaigner Sarah Lloyd graduated with a master's degree in social research from the University of Leeds

A mum who became an anti-knife crime campaigner after her son was stabbed to death in Leeds has graduated with a master's degree in social research.

Sarah Lloyd's 17-year-old son Kieran was attacked on a street in Harehills in 2013 and later died at Leeds General Infirmary.

Following his death, the mother-of-four visited the University of Leeds through an outreach initiative which she described as a "lightbulb moment".

"I never thought that studying at university was something within my reach as a single mum on benefits," she said.

"I'd always thought that universities were for the young and rich – not for people like me. But I fell in love with the Brotherton Library and didn't want to leave."

University of Leeds A young woman in a large puffer coat stands to the left of a woman in a graduation gown who has her arms on a young boy in a grey jacket. To the right of them stand two men, one in a green puffer coat, the other in a black jacket. Behind them is a Christmas tree.University of Leeds
Sarah Lloyd and her children Susan, Jon and Robert, and her grandson Kieran.

Ms Lloyd began a foundation degree course in 2016 before graduating with a BA in professional studies and has now completed a master's focusing on knife crime initiatives in England and Scotland.

She received help from the university's Lifelong Learning Centre, which supports mature and under-represented students.

She said: "It was an amazing opportunity and I never looked back.

"They have been amazing and I have made lifelong friends with both staff and students."

While studying last year, Ms Lloyd co-created and featured in an award-winning film "Cut Short – Fighting against Knives in the North" in which she warned young people against carrying knives.

Her son's death inspired her into campaigning and she has delivered teaching packages in schools as well as talks to young offenders and community groups.

She said she was now planning to take on a PhD.

"I am always striving to push myself further to make social change and so I want to do a PhD," she said.

"I want to make life better for young people caught up in violence – especially girls who seem to be joining gangs in growing numbers. They need to be encouraged to take a different path."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.

Related stories
Related internet links