Single mum Leah encourages others to take a risk with an Access to Higher Education Diploma

Single mum Leah Weber wanted a better life for her and her son after working in a string of dead end jobs. Striving for a career that she loved, Leah enrolled on to the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences at Middlesbrough College. Now, 4 years later, Leah is in her final year of completing a Psychology and Criminology degree at University and has ambitions to work in the health and care sector.

Leah said “My son is the reason that I decided to come back into education. I wanted a career not just a job that would pay the bills. I decided to go for it and I enrolled onto the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences at Middlesbrough College as Psychology had always fascinated me and I wanted to learn more about it.

“I’m so glad that I decided to study the Access course. The Diploma opened up a huge range of opportunities for me and prepared me for University. Now, I’m at the final hurdle of my degree and I’m excited for what the future has in store.

“I have a part time job working as a Health Care Assistant for the NHS and I have volunteered with Mind Mental Health and in a women’s refuge. Although I’m undecided as to what I might do when I have completed my degree, I know that I have a range of options open to me.

“If you’ve been out of education for a while like I had, then this is the perfect course for you. On my Access course I met like-minded people with interesting backgrounds and stories. We really all brought our own life experience to the course and it was lovely to meet new people and make new friends. Without the help and support of my peers and my tutors I know I wouldn’t be where I am today. Everyone was so welcoming and I knew that if I had a problem I could speak with any member of staff at Middlesbrough College and they would do their best to help me.

“My advice to anyone who wants to better themselves is to do it – take a risk! Don’t be scared. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you have a passion you just have to go for it!

“My Access to HE diploma has even inspired my six-year-old son as he now says he wants to go to University when he is older like his Mum! I couldn’t be prouder of myself and I’m so happy to have him driving me on.”

If you’ve been out of education for some time and want to study for a degree, an Access to Higher Education Diploma is the course for you. Click here to find out more.