Marion Gibbs

Marion, who passed away last year, was hugely respected as a leading figure in housing and homelessness in Scotland. The fund, for MSc/Diploma in Housing Studies internship students, has been set up in memory of Marion, by her surviving partner, Lorna Gibbs.

The Marion Gibbs Housing Studies Internship Support Fund will provide financial support for students, specifically to help them with the costs of undertaking their work experience placements. This invaluable assistance will help current students and attract new talent to the housing sector. Our internship route to the Diploma in Housing Studies (with CIH professional accreditation) provides students who are ‘new to housing’ with relevant work experience to fulfil the professional practice requirements of the qualification and support them to enter housing work and develop successful careers in housing.

Marion, whose work ranged from Shelter Scotland to expert consultancy, latterly lead the homelessness team within the Scottish Government. She was instrumental in forging key improvements to Scotland’s homelessness legislation and practice and was a much admired figure in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector. Her achievements were recognised by former housing Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP in a Parliamentary Motion on 14 September 2023, also acknowledging this new fund as contributing to Marion’s legacy.

Marion herself hugely valued her Diploma in Housing Studies, acknowledging it allowed her to develop an influential career and nurture positive change for those facing housing disadvantage.

Read more about Marion Gibbs and her contribution to housing and homelessness here.

A spokesperson from the Housing Studies team said: “Lorna Gibbs, Marion’s partner, kindly contacted Professor Isobel Anderson (Chair in Housing Studies) earlier this year, and we are extremely grateful to Lorna for this generous endowment to support our students for an initial five-year period. Lorna’s aim is that today’s Housing Studies students benefit from the opportunities Marion had, so that they in turn can make a difference in housing and homelessness.

“We are privileged to be able to carry on Marion’s legacy and delighted to announce the launch of the Marion Gibbs Housing Studies Internship Support Fund for our current and future students.”