New year marks new beginnings for care leaver

Rachel explains how “there’s more to the world than the cards you’re dealt” and hopes to inspire others
Clinical Physiology student, Rachel on campus

New year marks new beginnings for care leaver

Rachel explains how “there’s more to the world than the cards you’re dealt” and hopes to inspire others

If your New Year’s resolution is to make a change in your life, second-year student Rachel shows anything is possible.  
Placed into foster care aged 12 after being a young carer herself, she felt disconnected and wasn’t predicted good GCSEs.  
But fast forward seven years and she’s thriving as a student at the University of Plymouth – having found a passion for science, a place that ‘feels like home’ and support from her foster family.  

I always wanted to do better in life.

I knew I loved science and, after going from bottom set to top set and gaining GCSEs and A levels, I applied for a degree in Biomedical Science before transferring to Clinical Physiology.
Not many care kids end up at university, so if just one can see this and know it’s possible, that would be amazing.
Originally from Hampshire, Rachel described being in the care system as ‘traumatising’, after being placed an hour away from anywhere she knew, without a phone or any way to stay connected.  
But alongside her move to her current foster family in the Cotswolds, she moved schools and discovered a passion for science. 
Clinical Physiology student Rachel in lab

When I started to believe in myself, I got good grades. I went from the school’s eighth set to top set in science.

I also loved working with people so thought about healthcare, but wanted to do something that could be 9-5 and provide a bit of work-life balance. Employability really matters to me, and as I wanted to study somewhere smallish, south and by the sea, I looked at Plymouth.
Rachel came to an open day and toured the facilities and city. 
She decided on Biomedical Science, with the Foundation degree as her back up choice, with a bid to get into something more patient-facing long term. After a move to Clinical Physiology, she didn’t look back.  

I saw at the open day how much all the staff cared about students, and since being here I’ve had a lot of study support, especially since being diagnosed with dyslexia.

The teams really understand and support you to achieve, rather than waiting for you to have an issue. For example the course releases lecture notes alongside the lecture itself, which makes information easier to digest. I wanted to start somewhere fresh and new, and it’s been fantastic.
Clinical Physiology student Rachel on beach
Clinical Physiology student Rachel on night out
Rachel receives the  University's Mayflower bursary , set up specifically to help students who may struggle to access higher education. She is also the health and safety officer for the University of Plymouth Students’ Union Waterfront Running Club, and enjoys running – while supporting others to run – in her spare time between lectures.   

It’s beautiful being by the sea and running provides a real boost. I enjoy helping others join in too.

I used to think I was put on this earth just to be in the care system, but I want kids to realise that they matter too and there is more to the world than the cards you’re dealt. 
If I can change my path, so can you. There’s always a way.

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