Hannah Hartwright-Ley

I had previously studied here when I was younger and liked the smaller community feel of the college.

I had wanted to train to be a midwife for many years but due to their not being a specific course locally that suited my life/childcare/ work balance I couldn’t start my journey. However, when I contacted the college to discuss this they explained that they indeed have two courses one part-time and one full-time that would give me the necessary grades needed to apply to university to train to be a midwife. The flexibility meant that I could live locally, train and still be able to be around for family life. It was perfect and I applied straight away.

The information we learnt in biology and health studies really engaged with me. I found it exciting and enthralling. We didn’t have any trips out anywhere but we did have the local nursing University of Bolton open up on-site which we could visit and speak to the staff there. They were fantastic and it just highlighted how we could all access university in so many different ways nowadays.

It was daunting going back into education after having a break but the consistent help and guidance from the lecturers and staff meant that not only were we treated like the adults we were but we were supported as learners wanting to go further. This I do not believe would have happened at other colleges.

I was meant to do work experience at NDDHT however, Covid 19 restrictions meant that it couldn’t happen. But I do think this would have helped and would be something I suggest for other future students to access to gain so understanding and in house experience.

I am now in my first year studying Pre registration Midwifery at Plymouth based in NDDHT. I am literally living my dream thanks to the access course and staff getting me here. In the future, I aim to complete my degree and do a preceptorship hopefully at NDDHT and qualify as a midwife.

My advice for anyone thinking of taking this course is to go for it! I was so concerned about time, funding, whether I would like it. But I think you have to try these things. The staff are fab so if you have any questions they will gladly help answer them or support you to find the answers. I made some lifelong friends here at the college, an amazing bonus to a fab year. Covid 19 may have changed the plan slightly but it did not stop the teachers providing amazing learning too is and we all managed to get through it.