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Case Study...Making Connexions with Young Parents in Bath

At 17 years of age, with eight GCSE grades at A - C, Amy Qureshi, who lives in Keynsham, was keen to join her friends studying for their A-levels. As a young parent, however, she was unsure how to continue her education whilst coping with all the demands that motherhood brings and, of course, supporting herself and her baby daughter, Daisy, now a year old.

Amy said: "After Daisy was born, I felt quite down, really, and very isolated. It can be very stressful being a new mum, and naturally, that wasn't something I could really share with my friends. They were out partying and I was wondering how I was going to manage. And I really missed my studies, but I didn't think that there would be a way to combine my responsibilities as a parent and carrying on with my education. My self-esteem was low, and finding the time to be a mum, to work and to study just didn't seem possible.

"It was my Connexions Adviser in Bath, Chaya Bamber, who suggested I go on the Valuing Young Parents course. As well as gaining a qualification, she pointed out that I would get to meet other young parents who would understand the difficulties I was facing, and free childcare was provided on site. I'm so glad I took the course! I gained another qualification, but equally important to me was the realisation that I could be a valued member of society, that I could contribute to society. Young parents are often seen as being a drain on the economy and I was determined that that wasn't going to be me. The course gave me the confidence to realise that being a young parent didn't mean I couldn't contribute.

"My Connexions Adviser Chaya was such a great help. She made me realise that everything wasn't lost, that there were lots of opportunities for me; I just needed pointing in the right direction. She also told me that there was a grant available for young parents, called Care to Learn. If you are studying and progressing well, the grant meets your childcare costs. "So, with the Valuing Young Parents course completed, I applied to a nearby sixth form college. I was accepted and now I'm studying for four A-levels, in English Literature and Language, Tudor History, Photography and Media Studies. And while I'm at college, Daisy is enjoying herself at nursery. It's all worked out very well."

Shortly after starting her A-levels, her tutor recommended that Amy apply for an access scheme for committed and capable students, run by the University of Bristol to attract the top students in the region. Amy was accepted on the course, and now attends English Literature lectures twice a month. Amy explains: "The idea is to give aspiring university students the chance to experience university life."

Amy is now looking forward to studying English at University. Speaking of her plans for the future, Amy said: "I'm looking forward to gaining a degree and then teaching English. I'll be able to provide for my daughter and be a valued member of society."

And what advice would she give to other young parents? "Value yourself!" says Amy. "Just because you have a child, it doesn't mean that your life is over and your prospects have gone. Go for it.

Even if you discover that further education is not for you, it's still such a positive experience, and having the course on your CV should help with job applications. It's made such a difference to me."

Chaya agreed: "The Valuing Young Parents course was instrumental in showing Amy that with determination, and a little helping hand, it is possible to achieve your aspirations as well as being a great parent. At Connexions, it's our job to provide that helping hand by explaining all the options and providing guidance.

"I'm very pleased for Amy and she should be proud of what she's achieved and of her prospects for the future."

Author: Nicky Summerhill

Published: Tuesday, 11 Nov 2008

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