South West College is proud to announce the shortlisting of student, Ursula Cullen, for a major learner achievement award, recognising her exceptional resilience, academic excellence and commitment to personal and professional growth.
Ursula returned to study after almost 30 years away from formal education. Having completed her A‑Levels in 1996, she dedicated the following years to raising her six children and supporting her family. In 2022, she took the step of enrolling on the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning, securing one of the final places after nearly losing confidence to apply.
Ursula’s return to education coincided with an extraordinarily challenging period in her personal life. In 2019, her daughter survived a serious car accident. Shortly afterwards, her husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at just 48 years old. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, Ursula and her children became full‑time carers, navigating memory loss and behavioural changes, while still maintaining stability at home.
In 2023, her husband moved into residential care, leaving Ursula as the sole parent at home. During her studies she also faced a family bereavement and her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Despite these profound challenges, Ursula not only continued her studies; she excelled.
When she began the course, Ursula lacked confidence in ICT and struggled with basic digital tasks. Through determination and resilience, she developed strong digital skills, consistently met deadlines, and produced thoughtful, reflective academic work that demonstrated clear progression. Her transformation from hesitant learner to confident contributor has been extraordinary.