Winner's profile Student of Courage

Helen Wells
University of Huddersfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen Wells delivering her acceptance speech

Helen Wells from the University of Huddersfield is this year’s winner of the Xcel Student of Courage award. This award goes to a student who has shown enormous determination, bravery and fortitude in the face of adverse circumstances to go on to excel in life. In a candid interview, Helen shares her life experiences and achievements and reveals the events of her long journey to success.

Helen was raised in a tough environment surrounded by drugs, prostitution and violence. As one of 14 children, Helen regularly took time off school to help care for her siblings. Helen’s education was also affected by bullying: “When I was at school in the 70s there was a lot of racism so it was harder for me to learn anyway.”

I’m the first one out my family that’s gone to university and I’m the first one to buy my own house so it says a lot about where I’ve come from.

The great travesty of Helen’s formal education was that she left school unable to read or write. However, with perseverance and help from a friend, Helen taught herself elementary reading using books and a dictionary. This achievement gave Helen the impetus to accomplish more in her life. And she hasn’t stopped since.

Undeterred by the fact she wasn’t a fully competent reader or writer, Helen went back to college to study a BTEC in Social Care. This was a struggle at times for Helen but she refused to let her literacy be an obstacle to her success. From her BTEC, Helen progressed onto an NVQ Level 3 in Promoting Independence whilst working with people with learning difficulties. With an NVQ under her belt, Helen successfully completed an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Group work – a qualification that would allow her to apply to University.

None of these qualifications were gained overnight. It has taken Helen many years and an unlimited reserve of strength and determination to keep going: “I’m the first one out my family that’s gone to university and I’m the first one to buy my own house so it says a lot about where I’ve come from.” Helen is currently studying a BSc in Health and Community Studies at the University of Huddersfield. Even at this late stage, Helen discovered that she had yet another obstacle to overcome: “When I went to university I found out that I had dyslexia and dyspraxia. Dyspraxia affects your co-ordination so it’s very difficult for me to learn to do things like drive a car but I will learn after I’ve finished university.” Despite her diagnosis, Helen is working incredibly hard and is on her way to achieving a 2:1.

I want my children to have more but it’s been hard. Sometimes I’ve fallen down and I haven’t wanted to get back up but I have because that’s the only way I’ll ever succeed.

Like many mature students, Helen has a family to care for in addition to her studies. She has three children and two grandchildren, all of whom are doing really well: “I’m so proud of my children, especially my oldest son who’s been there through everything that I’ve been through.” Helen has worked hard to make sure her children didn’t suffer the same upbringing she had: “I was very oppressed as a child, I didn’t have a choice about anything. I’ve been through a lot of trauma in my life, a lot of things have happened to me.” One of the most poignant of these was the tragic murder of her brother.

Everything that I’ve got in my life I know I’ve worked hard for. I think the most special thing about me that I’ve learnt is that I’ve got no bitterness towards anybody. And all I hold in my heart is an understanding.

“Everything that I’ve got in my life I know I’ve worked hard for. I think the most special thing about me that I’ve learnt is that I’ve got no bitterness towards anybody. And all I hold in my heart is an understanding. Somebody said to me, would I change my life if I could have it again. No. The only thing I’d change is that my brother would be here. But I wouldn’t change anything because I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

I’m just so honoured that I’ve been chosen for this award because there are so many people in this world that struggle and keep that strength but are not recognised for it yet. So this award’s not just about me, it’s about everyone

When asked whether education salvaged her, Helen said: “Education is knowledge and power and it gives you a lot when you’re educated. But my life experience? Nothing can beat that. Nothing. I work part time now with drug users and alcoholics at Lifeline which is a fantastic service. I think if I didn’t have that understanding then I wouldn’t be able to work with the people that I work with. But, on the other hand, having that life experience and the theory that I’ve learnt at university is a very powerful thing.”

Helen won the Xcel Student of Courage award because she is a beacon of hope to anyone experiencing great difficulty in their life. Helen’s achievements prove that anything is possible with self-belief and courage to keep going when times are hard. On winning her award, Helen remarked: “I’m just so honoured that I’ve been chosen for this award because there are so many people in this world that struggle and keep that strength but are not recognised for it yet. So this award’s not just about me, it’s about everyone. My children and my partner have inspired me so much, when times have been really hard and I’ve just been (takes a deep breath) ….you can do it. And I’ve inspired them.”

In the future, Helen would like to write a book documenting her experiences and achievements.

 

Interview by: Emily Crane