First Class Return to Education for Brenda

Following a return to education at SERC, Brenda McNeill recently graduated with first class honours in a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) just two days after her daughter's graduation. And, after landing her dream job in social work, the adult returner is on a mission to encourage others to return to learn.

Brenda (49) from Dromara, who is married to Liam, and mother of Deirbhile (21), Harry (19), Lorcan (16) and Cormac (12) says, "What seems like a lifetime ago, I did my GCSEs in St Colman's High School, Ballynahinch, and then went to Downpatrick ‘tech', now SERC, to study a Private Executive Secretarial Certificate. After college, I worked in numerous

administrative roles before landing a job at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). I had two children by the time I left in 2007 to be a stay-at-home mum, and then had two more children.

She continues, "When my youngest child, Cormac, was in primary 3, I felt I needed to do something for myself, so I started volunteering with Cancer Fund for Children at Daisy Lodge. My role involved liaising with the Cancer Support Specialists. I thought this was something I would like to do. I mentioned this to my husband, Liam, remarking that I wished I had done   A-Levels, and he said it's never too late to do anything.

"All fired up, I went to SERC’s Careers team and found out about the Level 3 Access Diploma in Foundation Studies, commonly referred to as 'Access'. Successful completion of the course allows for progression to various university courses and pathways. After speaking to Patricia Rooney, one of the Access lecturing team, I enrolled in the two-year course in 2019.”

Speaking about her decision to go back, Brenda says, "It was daunting going back to college, but the support from everyone was tremendous. I did have the 'wobbles' a few times and even wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew, but with the support and encouragement of Liam and my children, I dug deep and successfully got through the course”.

"From March 2020 until June 2021, I completed the Level 3 Access Diploma under Covid conditions. Like most of the country, I was studying online, home-schooling my younger two children whilst overseeing GCSE and A- Levels with my older two. It was challenging, but also a distraction from Covid for me.”

In addition to achieving a first class in her degree, Brenda was awarded the Brian Rankin Award for Excellence in Social Work. She adds, "Access gears you for university; you master referencing your work, and all the skills necessary for meeting academic deadlines, so you are already ahead of the game by the time you start. I loved studying at QUB and just felt so lucky, after parking the car, to walk through Botanic Gardens on my way to lectures each day."

"Never did I imagine I would be at the same university at the same time as my only daughter, Deirbhile. She graduated with a BA in International Relations and Politics two days before me, but we were able to get photos together in our graduation gowns. It has certainly been a year for celebration in the McNeill household."

Looking forward to starting her new social work post with the Community Stroke Team for Newry and Mourne this September Brenda says, "My message to anyone considering returning to learning is that there is no such thing as 'too late’. It took me five years to get where I wanted to be, but when you break it down, it was just one step at a time. Those five years – two completing the Access course, and three on my degree - flew by, now that I look back. The support and encouragement from all teaching staff at SERC and QUB were second to none. So just go for it, take that first step back, and see where it can take you."

SERC is hosting open days for adults considering returning to education from 10.00am to 2.00pm on Friday 16 August at the College’s Ballynahinch Campus on Church Road and from 10.00am-2.00pm on Wednesday 21 August, at Newcastle Campus on the Castlewellan Road. Staff will be on hand to provide information, advice and guidance on Restart Education and Access to Higher Education courses,  along with student finance, the careers service and the online application process and the Little SERC Creche in Newcastle Campus.