Violet Looks Forward to a Bright Future After Return to the Classroom  

Bangor woman Violet Cowie, who has just completed a Level 3 Health & Social Care course at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) firmly believes that age is no barrier to learning. Having started the course at the college’s Newtownards Campus when she was 43, Violet says “I really don't see age as a limitation in life, rather a library of knowledge which you can bring to the table to help shape future generations.”

Violet has gained several qualifications over the years, including a BA Honours Degree, but started her most recent course in challenging circumstances. She explains,  

“I have two children with ADHD, one of whom is also on the autism spectrum.  She began grammar school the same year I started this course, so it was a big upheaval for us all.  In addition to this, my husband was dealing with ill-health and my mother passed away just as term started. So needless to say, I was beginning the course under quite a lot of pressure.  I had no experience in the Health and Social Care field as my working background was in retail, so everything was new to me.  SERC understood and supported me throughout my course.”  

It was Violet’s background in retail, as well as a desire to make a difference in her community, that indirectly led her to the SERC classroom:  

“I saw a job advertisement for an NHS Bra Fitting Co-Ordinator.  I had previously been a supervisor in an underwear company and was trained as a bra fitter.  I hadn’t realised this skill could be applied in the health service, and I began to do some research into what other types of roles were available.   The more I explored, the more holistic support and community work I discovered.  I was aware, as anybody else was, of the plight of healthcare workers during the pandemic and the severe shortage of health & social care staff. I also realised that a career change would mean retraining. I had studied part-time, including leisure courses, at SERC previously, so it was natural to go to them first.   I contacted SERC careers and was guided through my options as to what courses would be beneficial.”  

Violet discovered that the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care would be free to attend, with some support grants available, and although it is full-time, the hours fitted around family life. The course includes one hundred hours of work placement over the two years, but again, Violet was able to fulfil this at her own pace alongside her other commitments.    

This is not to say that studying a new subject area was all plain sailing. Violet says, “My degree was in the arts, requiring visual output, and the Health and Social Care course is very assignment heavy.  This was a bit of a shock to the system, but the SERC tutors were exceptional, and advised and guided me well.   All the tutors are lovely people but I had two - Nikki Rainey and Tracey Flynn – who went above and beyond to support me and the class.  Their personal experience and approach to teaching really make you feel valued. All the tutors have a genuine passion for the subject manner they teach as they are coming from health and social care backgrounds themselves.   

“My advice to anyone considering this course is not to underestimate the amount of work required.  It is challenging and requires dedication. But if you want to make a difference to your community and have a rewarding career route which almost guarantees employment, then it could be for you.”  

Having gained a Distinction in her qualification, which is the equivalent of three A-Levels, Violet is now building on her knowledge through work – but she hasn’t ruled out further study:  

“I am now working part-time with Age NI to build up my experience and explore different career routes.  However, in the future I would like to achieve a Level 4 qualification, for the sake of improving my own knowledge and challenging myself.  You are never too old to learn new information and skills.  I would like to think the young people who were my classmates learnt from me as much as I learnt from them.  Together we can improve the lives of so many people we may now have the privilege of supporting and empowering.  Here's to a new future.”