Phoebe Howe, graduate of the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families Top up degree shares her Higher Education journey at the University of Worcester.
“My IWCF journey began following the completion of my four year part-time FdA in ‘Birth in Beyond’. I began my university journey when my daughter was a toddler, after my own birth experiences fuelled my passion to support other families in their own journeys to parenthood and beyond. I felt that IWCF was a natural progression, as I wanted to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the challenges families face and best to support them.
Although I wasn’t initially intending to as it was out of my comfort zone, I ended up signing up as a student rep as I thought it would be a good chance to model courage to my daughter and be able to talk to her about*. This experience led me to win the Provost Award for Outstanding Student Contribution, which felt really rewarding. *I am happy to report that my daughter is now the student rep for year two!
As a single mum with a young child, I faced my own challenges during my time at university – mainly surrounding the balance between home-life and studying – but also, namely, the (ongoing) global shortage of the ADHD medication I use to manage my symptoms. This affected my ability to concentrate, consolidate my thoughts, and ultimately focus enough to get work done. What kept me going was the support I received from my peers and my tutors through a tricky time.
If I had one piece of advice for new students, it would be to speak up when you’re struggling. Everyone is on your side and the sooner you ask for help, the easier it is to resolve whatever muddle you feel you are in. If you need information in a different format – ask! If you’re feeling behind, or lost – tell someone! The support is there, you just need to ask for it.
I am lucky enough to support parents from pregnancy through the transition to parenthood, and beyond, through my work as a Doula and Early Years Music Educator. Now I have finished studying (for now!), my focus is implementing all I have learnt from the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families degree to better meet the needs of the families I support. “
If you would like to find out more about the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families degree, please visit the website or contact the Course Leader, Angela Hodgkins; a.hodgkins@worc.ac.uk