Coming to university was never part of the plan. Indeed, I had no plan. Working in screen printing since I was 16, I was shy, nervous and simply had no ambition or desire to change my career. Then in 2020 something changed, I did what I wanted to do for most of my life and I came out as transgender. I knew by transitioning, I’d be happier, but I wasn’t expecting the levels of happiness, confidence and personal growth that was to follow. It was the more profound levels of personal growth that led me to Step Up to Higher Education (HE) course at Staffordshire University.
Finding myself becoming open about my journey on social media and visible within society, I began sharing my experiences in local media. The feedback was positive, I received messages from others telling me how much I was helping, this gave me much satisfaction, particularly messages from the mothers of transgender children.
Alongside this newfound confidence, came a growing ambition to change my career. I’d changed so much yet I felt trapped in a job the old me chose to do, I needed to find my own path. Exploring various career paths, I was always drawn back to the feeling of satisfaction those messages from the mums gave me and I’d found my calling, I needed to help people and support through employment and a new vocation.
University still wasn’t part of the plan. It had been over 20 years since I was in any form of education, I didn’t believe that university was a realistic option for me. That was until I found Step Up to HE. Initially, I found myself on the Staffordshire University website considering counselling as a possible career option, still not believing that I could go on to do a degree, I thought what have I got to lose?
During my initial interview with Step Up, my attention was drawn towards another degree, Working with Children, Young People and Families. Knowing I wanted to go on and help inspire and support young people, it felt a better fit for me. My interview was a success and I was in, I couldn’t believe I was starting university. There are many things I’ve done since transitioning I never imagined, such as swimming as a mermaid, or going on the radio but progressing to university as a mature learner was up there!
On the first day of Step Up, I was excited. I don’t get nervous anymore because, by coming out and transitioning I’ve already done the hardest things I’ll ever do. It’s given me a positive attitude and I was approaching Step Up like I approach many things now, with a sense of opportunity and excitement about where the degree will take me.
I felt so at home on campus and from the first lecture I knew I was in the right place, quickly learning skills in academic writing, research and referencing. University learning is such a contrast from my experience at school, it’s more relaxed and more engaging. The tutors were friendly, approachable and helpful and I also quickly made friends on the course who I now consider friends for life.
Though excited, I still had doubts. It has been so long since I was in education that I still wasn’t sure how I would take to it. Those doubts were soon alleviated, and I found myself excelling and learning quickly. I also had doubts about finance, these fears were eased with a lecture on student finance, showing us not to let finance be a barrier to education. Before I knew it, we were halfway through the course, my UCAS application was in, and I had received a conditional offer for my chosen degree in Working with Children, Young People and Families.
Achieving a First Class with Distinction on the first module is one of the proudest moments in my life. Historically, I was a C/D grade student at school yet here I was, after over 20 years out of education, smashing it! It inspired me to challenge myself in the second module which was all about research and developing everything we had learned. I wrote about the way transgender people are represented in the media and the impact it has on public perception. Choosing a subject I’m personally passionate about spurred me on. It was challenging to stay objective but I’m very proud of the work I produced, and I achieved another First Class in my final module.
Alongside Step Up and the confidence I gained at university, I was excelling in other areas of my life. I began volunteering for Mermaids, the transgender children’s charity, I became a trustee of the Staffordshire Sexual Health Charity, and I founded the Proud Potters, Stoke City’s first LGBTQ+ Supporters Group. It felt like everything was falling into line for me at the right time, I was gaining valuable experience and now I was on the path to gaining the qualifications too.
Since finishing the course, I have thrown myself at opportunities, taking on an additional voluntary role with Mermaids and volunteering for Middleport Matters as I am keen to work positively with the local community in Stoke-on-Trent. With Mind North Staffs, I’ve co-delivered an LGBTQ+ Awareness Course and I’ve also taken part in staff development days for Staffordshire County Council by sharing my experiences. Doing all of this around my full-time job while I look forward to starting my degree, Step Up has helped to open these doors to move forward with my future ambitions.
For me, the biggest thing that Step Up has done is unlock a potential I never knew was there. It’s ignited a passion for learning, shown my capabilities and it’s given me the ambition to succeed. Most of all, the course has helped me reaffirm this is what I want to do. I see a future for myself and I’m on the right path to helping young transgender and LGBTQ+ young people.
It’s been a life-changing couple of years, in more ways than I could have imagined. I’m 40 years old and my experience both with transitioning and now coming to university has taught me that it’s never too late to make positive changes in your life. What have you got to lose?
Danielle
To find out more surrounding the Step Up to HE programme and how to apply for the next intake, check out our Course Webpage available at: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/step-up-to-higher-education.