Learner Journey

My name is Esther, my journey with Cardiff Met started with my attendance on the Widening Access Accredited Level 3 (10 credit) course in Youth and Community Work. By the end of this course, I was inspired to pursue the degree and was thrilled when I was given an opportunity to initially study at the Foundation level at Cardiff Met.

My journey into Youth Work has been exciting and rewarding. I still can’t quite believe the journey I have had! The thought of going back to education was quite daunting. I was worried whether I would have enough time to fit in study in an already busy lifestyle as a mother of three? Would I have the motivation and ability to see the course through?

However, my study at Cardiff Met has exceeded my aims and desires. I have completed the BA Honours and was amazed to achieve a First in my Portfolio on Professional Practice and was very pleased to graduate with two Dean’s Awards, one in

Professional Practice and another in Community Award. I have now progressed to studying the Masters in Advance Youth Work, which I am currently thoroughly enjoying.

I believe that my success is due to the investments and care of the Youth and Community Work tutors at Cardiff Met. Their approach to teaching has impacted me not only academically, but also on a personal level because of their belief and encouragement. Not only were they supportive in my studies but they were also concerned of my wellbeing and supported wherever they were able to.

I had the opportunity to learn firsthand from all my tutors about what it means to be a youth worker and this experience will never leave me. Studying at Cardiff Met has also created several youth work opportunities for me. I have held several paying roles since studying at Cardiff Met, which include Youth Club Sessional Worker, Project Worker, Senior Youth Officer for a Charity organisation and I currently have the privilege of working in a secondary school.

I am privileged to be able to enable young people to become responsible, happy young people. I truly believe the ball is in my court now and I can choose from numerous occupations, as my Level 6 tutor said, ‘Esther you have the skills to operate in any setting you want to’.

Click here to read the latest edition of our Widening Access Journeys publication

Scan here to find out what accredited courses we have coming up or contact wideningaccess@cardiffmet.ac.uk