Good Afternoon All
I am a 20 year old, full time employed within the NHS, Administration.
I have spent many a number of years deciding exactly what aspect of care I wanted to become employed in. Unfortunately I had spent my school and college years (dillydalling) about, it wasn't until I have gained life experience and became interested in the H&Social Care subject that I have realised I am going to have work extremely hard in life to get where I want to be.
I am seriously considering leaving full time employment, starting part time work and studying at Edinburgh/Glamorgan or Teeside University in Social Work & Mental Health Nursing. I have personal experience with care, I have worked voluntary from being a young child and have so much passion and willingness to learn and become educated that I really want to do this.
I constantly research the Social Care sector, read up on articles, university documents, books. I feel the undustry needs social workers that have the passion and strive to help others, whether this being younger or older generation you just need a keen interest in your job.
I shall be starting an access course very soon and Mathmatics. The only thing stopping me is FEE'S. I am so worried about applying for grants and loans I have never been in debt before and quite seriously do not want to.
Has anyone experienced something similar to myself? If so please could you talk to me about it.
Many Thanks
Carly Stockport
hi carly, welcome to carespace. i am a third year student although i am a bit older than you (35.). i did not complete my GCSE's at school as i had left school by then but i did do an access course before i came to uni and really enjoyed it. I also got really good marks which gave me the confidence for uni.
do you want to do social work with people with mental healht problems or mental health nursing? I am only asking because if it is mental health nursing as you work in the NHS already they may be able to help with fees, one of my colleagues on placement started off doing admin for the NHS and then she went to uni and studeied mental health nursing and i am sure she got seconded by the NHS to do her degree, i will ask her tomorrow and get back to you, she qualified in october last year and from what she has said she really enjoyed the course.
you sound as though you have a real passion and this will be a real bonus, i feel passionate about social work and this has made it easier to find the motivation to do the written work and learning at university.
In terms of finance
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm is a good place for infomation. you would get grants and loans to see you through and although you do end up with a debt it is for something benefical and something that will enable you to earn a decent wage and do something you really enjoy, some people spend the same amount on a car.
good luck
Thank you very much for this. I feel I'm just needing to hear of success stories to give me a slight confidence boost in dropping a full time wage and getting into debt. Very difficult thing for me to do.
I know I could apply for a NHS Bursary and loans etc. I'm not so sure if you can get anything to help you with your accommodation fee's?
I want to work with a range of different people and not just mental health, I'd like to work with children, OAP's, Disabled etc. Something I feel I will do once gaining a degree and deciding where I go from then on.
How are you finding coping with your degree at the moment?
Thanks
Carly S