Super-mum Sarah is off to university

Sarah Bennett from Bournville is a pure inspiration to all adults wanting to change career. Despite major setbacks, this super-mum of four has started a degree in Psychology at Newman University College, thanks to a life-changing course at Bournville College.

Like many adults, Sarah left school at the age of sixteen and spent the next fifteen years working in an office, with no prospects. She finally plucked up the courage to do something about it two years ago, when she enrolled on an Access to Higher Education course. The experience proved to be far from plain sailing:

‘About half way through the course I gave birth to my fourth child. I juggled my responsibilities of parenthood, work and study as much as I could. Lots of coffee got me through it!’ she joked.

Very soon after becoming a mum for the fourth time, Sarah found out that her three year old daughter Abbi had muscular dystrophy, a life-limiting disability that causes muscles to weaken over time. Even though it was a devastating blow to her family, Sarah was too determined to give up on her studies:

‘In a way, it made me stronger and more determined to succeed. I want to provide a better future for my children and be a good example to them. It helped that my tutors were very supportive and I really enjoyed the course’ she explained.

Sarah has now started a degree in Psychology, a subject that she never thought about before her course at Bournville College, after which she wants to go into teaching. She has also found the time in her busy schedule to fundraise for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

‘We have raised over £2000 already. My husband is attempting a shark dive next month, so the fundraising continues.’

Access to Higher Education courses are some one of the most popular courses at Bournville College. If you would like to change your future, why not enrol at Bournville College from Monday Tuesday 3rd January? Click here for enrolment dates. For more information about Access to Higher Education courses, call 0121 477 1300 or visit this page. Anyone who would like to support Sarah’s fundraising campaign can visit Abbi’s facebook page on facebook.com/AbbiFaithBennett.