Patricia Routledge, best known for her iconic role as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, has taken an unexpected and meaningful step in her later years by supporting an innovative educational initiative at the University of Liverpool. At 93, the beloved actress has pledged her support for up to three bursaries for students pursuing the university’s groundbreaking Reading In Practice Masters programme in English Literature. This programme, the first of its kind in the UK, emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of reading and its profound connection to human health and wellbeing.
The course encourages students to explore literature on a deeply personal and emotional level, promoting the idea that reading can have transformative effects on mental and emotional health. A key feature of the programme is shared reading-aloud projects, which have proven to be both intellectually stimulating and personally enriching for participants. Routledge’s involvement with this bursary is especially significant, given her long-standing connection to Liverpool, a city where her love for literature first flourished during her time at the University of Liverpool.
Routledge explained that her deep ties to the city and the university prompted her to support this cause. “My long and close association with the city of Liverpool, in particular with its prestigious University, where my love of the English language and its literature found continuous nourishment, prompts me to encourage local people to discover and enjoy the riches of our literary heritage,” she stated. Her contribution includes offering financial assistance to students who may face financial barriers to pursuing this unique degree, enabling them to access the benefits of the programme.
The bursary is designed to help two or three deserving students who might not otherwise have the means to pursue this specialized education. Routledge emphasized her pride in supporting students who are eager to further their academic careers, especially those who lack the financial resources to do so. She sees this initiative as a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to education and the arts.
Beyond providing financial support, Routledge is using her influence to raise awareness about the power of literature and its ability to foster community connections. The Reading In Practice programme focuses on the intersection of literature and wellbeing, an area that has gained increasing attention in today’s society. By supporting the programme, Routledge is highlighting the role of shared reading in enhancing mental and emotional health, an approach that has proven to be both timely and impactful.
Although Patricia Routledge will always be remembered for her portrayal of the pretentious Hyacinth Bucket, her support of this bursary showcases her deep commitment to the value of education and the arts. Having spent her life immersed in the world of performance and language, Routledge believes in the enduring impact of literature and its transformative power. The University of Liverpool’s English Literature department, renowned for its academic excellence, now offers students the chance to engage with literature in a meaningful and innovative way through the Reading In Practice programme.
For many students, the opportunity to pursue this degree can be life-changing, but the cost of higher education often presents a significant barrier. Routledge’s bursary serves as a vital financial support system, allowing students to pursue their passion for literature without the added stress of financial burdens. Her generosity not only helps students follow their academic dreams but also draws attention to the broader importance of fostering emotional and mental wellbeing through literature.
In her later years, Routledge has focused on initiatives that reflect her personal values, and this bursary is a prime example of her continued dedication to making a lasting impact on future generations. Whether through her performances or charitable efforts, Routledge’s influence extends far beyond her beloved role as Hyacinth Bucket.
