CASE STUDY: Jan Eedle-Wells

When we first spoke to Jan she was aged 60 and was studying for a work-based learning Foundation Degree in Community Development at Bucks New University. Jan completed her Foundation degree in summer 2009.

 

Jan left school at 15 without any qualifications. She initially took over responsibility for running the family farm and later found work as a cashier. She married at 20 and had two children. After a divorce she found herself having to work to support her children and took on a variety of jobs that fitted in with her childcare responsibilities. She worked as a PA/manager in the upholstery manufacturing industry for seventeen years and a manager in insurance assessment for five years. For the last three years, Jan has worked for the Bucks Association for Blind and Partially Sighted People as the Volunteer Liaison Coordinator and Events Manager.

Although Jan developed many skills over the course of her career, she still lacked confidence because she did not have a formal qualification. Jan applied to university and, with the support of her employer, studied for the Foundation degree in Community Development, attending university for one half-day a week while working. Jan enjoyed sharing her work experiences and learning from others on her course. However, it wasn't always easy. Jan experienced some challenges in balancing studying, work and home life and there were also some funding issues to contend with. In spite of this, Jan says it has been worth it and has opened up a new world of work-related terminology and skills to her.

Jan says: "I now realise how much better equipped I now am to integrate into the various communities. I understand the language of Community Development and can see where I need to be heading to be able to carry out my work more effectively within both new communities and that of my organisation. The course has given me the tools that I need to make the breakthroughs necessary to 'make a difference'."

We originally spoke to Jan in November 2008