Mum-of-seven achieves midwifery university dream

Emily Porter, 38, from Mildenhall, received the qualifications to study at university after going back to college

A mum-of-seven will follow her childhood dream of becoming a midwife after returning to college to better her qualifications.

Emily Porter, 38, from Mildenhall, Suffolk, left school with grades she said "weren't very good" and went on to work jobs in hairdressing and floristry.

After the Covid pandemic she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life and had always wanted to become a midwife.

After taking various courses through the Eastern Education Group, she has passed and will go on to study at the University of Suffolk which she said she "could not believe".

"I never thought I was clever enough to be a midwife," Ms Porter said.

"But I always say to my kids that as long as you set your mind to something, you can be anything you want to be. Pilots and doctors are human just like you.

"But then I wasn't following the advice I was giving to them.

"So, I decided to go back to college and give it everything I've got.

"I was looking after my seven children (aged between two and 16), working in a pub a couple of nights a week and studying between 04:00 and 07:00 – before the kids got up – and at weekends.

"It was a struggle - but I kept at it. I never quit," she said.

Ms Porter said the Eastern Education Group's support had been "amazing"

In 2023 Ms Porter spoke with the team at West Suffolk College's learning centre in Thetford, Norfolk, who helped her find a route back into education.

She then completed four functional skills qualifications in 12 months and a health-related access course at the Eastern Education Group's University and Professional Development Centre in Bury St Edmunds.

Her midwifery degree will take three years and she added the thought of graduating left her "emotional".

"My message to others is that you can always find a way – you just need to look for it," she added.

Ian Evans, the head of Personal and Professional Learning at the West Suffolk College centre in Thetford, said Ms Porter had been "a superb student who is a total inspiration".