As an unpaid carer and mum of five, Zoe Totten certainly has her hands full. Yet she’s determined to build a career that will support her family – and one day save lives.
Zoe shares how receiving a Carers Scholarship to study Health Sciences with The Open University is helping her pursue her dream career as a paramedic.
In her own words, this is Zoe’s story so far:
“I have five children and three with vulnerabilities. My eight-year-old has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties. My four-year-old suffers from a stomach condition and my two-year-old was born three months premature.
“He spent a year on oxygen and needed surgery for a hole in his heart. He now has a chronic lung disease and needs steroids daily.
“I wanted to do something outside of my caring role. My dream is to become a paramedic but to do that I needed to return to higher education. With so many caring responsibilities, part-time distance learning with the OU gave me the perfect opportunity to get on track for my dream job and degree.
“I was totally thrilled to receive a Carers Scholarship to fund my studies. It felt like I was being appreciated for my caring responsibilities and I felt like somebody saw my potential to further my own academic skills and gave me a chance to fulfil my own dreams.”
Balancing studies as a carer
“I studied flexibly around my caring responsibilities, in the morning, afternoon and even late in the evening. Flexibility was key to me progressing. Having access to the OU’s content around the clock enabled me to study 10 minutes to an hour at a time. This made it achievable to fulfil my aspirations of completing my course.
“The OU also helped with funding a laptop and various different materials I needed for my studies. They’ve been amazing and gone above and beyond to support me.
“I’ve now completed a Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences, which is what I needed to land a place on a paramedic course. The OU has made a huge difference to my life.
“I’m excited for my career and happy that I was given a scholarship. I feel like the OU has full faith in me that I can achieve my career as a paramedic.
“For anyone thinking of studying, I’d say go for it! It’s been the best academic organisation I’ve studied at and I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience.”
Thank you for changing lives
“To the donors and alumni who make scholarships possible, I want to say thank you.
“Scholarships are only made possible because of the support of donors. I can’t thank the OU’s supporters enough for giving me this chance – you’ve given me a real purpose beyond my caring responsibilities which I will use to give back.
“My message to donors is that you can positively change the lives of carers. You can help them be a success within their own aspirations and beyond their role as a carer.”
Can you help us fund more life-changing scholarships?
Scholarships like Zoe’s are only made possible thanks to the generous support of donors and supporters of the OU.
You can help more people like Sarah access higher education by joining us for the OU’s Giving Day – a 36-hour challenge starting at 9am 7th July to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries that will transform lives and rewrite futures.
To learn more and support please visit OU Giving Day 2022
