Student Spotlight: Meet Zoe, an Access to HE student at University Centre Rotherham
Faces of University Centre Rotherham:
Zoe Bell, Access to HE Diploma in Health Sciences
For many adults, especially parents and carers, personal ambitions are often the first thing to be sacrificed.
That was certainly true for Zoe Bell. Between raising four children, supporting family members through illness and working in care, there was always someone else’s needs to put first.
But when her children reached secondary school and college age, for the first time in years she could begin thinking about what she wanted for herself.
After more than 30 years away from education, Zoe enrolled on the Access to HE Diploma in Health Science Professions at University Centre Rotherham – not just to gain qualifications, but to prove to herself that her dreams still mattered.
Now, after successfully completing the course, Zoe is progressing onto the Foundation Degree in Assistant Practitioner in Health and Social Care and is one step closer to her ultimate goal of becoming either a paramedic or an adult nurse working in A&E or intensive care.
Zoe“This will be a great stepping stone for me and contribute towards eventually doing paramedic science or adult nursing in the future.”
A lifelong ambition
Zoe says she’s wanted to be a nurse for as long as she could remember. But for many years, family responsibilities came first as she supported her husband through serious illness and raised their children.
When she met her husband, he was paralysed and she became his carer, which gave her first-hand insight into the challenges faced by individuals and families navigating complex health conditions.
The couple went on to have four children, including triplets. But at the same time, her husband’s health deteriorated significantly requiring at-home ventilation and life-support. Zoe managed all his end-of-life care needs while looking after three babies and a young child.
Sadly, she lost her husband when the triplets were just one year old. Her focus became providing for her family and helping her children thrive, leaving little time to think about her own future.
“I had to crack on raising them by myself and carry on working to support us,” she says.
But as her children grew older and became more independent, they encouraged her to finally follow her own dreams.
“I actually said I was too old and it was best to forget about it. But last year my eldest son told me, ‘Just do it or you never will.’ That’s what gave me the push to apply.”
Why Zoe chose University Centre Rotherham
Although she attended Rotherham College after leaving school, where she did her NVQs, Zoe had been away from education for almost 30 years so knew she needed a route back into learning that would prepare her for university-level study.
The Access to HE Diploma in Health Science Professions provided the perfect route.
Designed specifically for adults returning to education, the course equips learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress onto university-level study and healthcare careers.
With Zoe balancing family commitments, work and caring responsibilities, choosing where to study was a big decision. She currently works as a carer supporting a paralysed lady, cares for her mum, who is living with dementia and a terminal illness, and has college and school runs to do each day.
Studying at University Centre Rotherham has meant she’s been able to remain close to those who need her.
“Even though I’m originally from Rotherham, I didn’t know University Centre Rotherham existed until I did a quick Google search and saw they did the Access course here. My eldest son is at college in Rotherham doing A-levels and my mum who I need to visit daily lives here too, so it was fantastic to have everything nearby.”
Returning to education after 30 years
Like many adult learners, Zoe was nervous about returning to the classroom and whether she would be able to keep up academically while balancing family commitments and caring responsibilities.
At times, the challenges felt overwhelming, especially with three children adapting to a new school environment. However, she says the support from her tutors is what kept her on track.
“There were so many times when I thought about walking away and questioned if it was worth it. But the tutors were fantastic. The support was amazing and I would have given up if it wasn’t for their encouragement.”
Zoe says one of the biggest adjustments was the pace of the course. The Access to HE course is a fast-track one-year course that is equivalent to doing three A levels in a short space of time, so there is a lot to learn quickly.
“I don’t think you appreciate how fast-paced it is until you’re doing it. You can sometimes feel like you’ve been thrown in the deep end and nothing can prepare you for that. But if you stay on top of assignments and put the work in, it’s absolutely worth it.”
The course covered a range of subjects including biology, psychology, mental health, health and disease, professional practice and study skills, helping Zoe develop both academic knowledge and the skills needed for higher education.
Despite her concerns about returning to education after such a long break, Zoe excelled on the programme.
One of her proudest moments was receiving distinctions for her work and realising that all the hard work had paid off.
“Getting assignments back and seeing that I’d achieved distinctions made me realise all the effort was worth it.”
Zoe“The tutors were fantastic. The support was amazing and I would have given up if it wasn’t for their encouragement.”
Looking ahead
Following her success on the Access to HE programme, Zoe will now progress onto the Foundation Degree in Assistant Practitioner in Health and Social Care at University Centre Rotherham from this September.
Zoe had initially thought about going straight on to a nursing degree elsewhere, but says her tutors opened her eyes to more flexible pathways that better fit around her family and work. She’s opted for the foundation degree which will allow her to further develop her clinical knowledge and practical skills while keeping her long-term healthcare career options open.
“This is the perfect course for me. I knew university wouldn’t have been the right choice right now for me or my children and I didn’t want to set myself up to fail, but I didn’t want to just drop it and not carry on studying after the Access course.
“This will be a great stepping stone for me and contribute towards eventually doing paramedic science or adult nursing in the future.”
Zoe’s Advice for future Access students
For anyone considering returning to education later in life, Zoe has a simple message:
“Just go for it. I knew if I didn’t do it now then I never would. It is hard work and it’s fast-paced, but it’s worth every minute. Just knuckle down and do work as you get it rather than letting it pile up. Also, if you go on to do a HE course then your Access course fees are wiped clean which is a big bonus.”
Find out more about our Health courses and our Access to HE courses.