South Eastern Regional College (SERC) will host Return to Learning Open Days at its Newcastle Campus on Wednesday 19 August from 10am to 2pm and at its Ballynahinch Campus on Friday 21 August from 10am to 2pm.

Two Newcastle women who completed the Level 3 Access Diploma in Foundation Studies at SERC are moving to Queen’s University Belfast in September. Mary Lunn, 31, will begin a BSc in Adult Nursing. Theresa Poskitt, 28, will begin a BSc in Midwifery.

Lunn returned to education when her youngest child started school. She had previously completed a BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care after GCSEs but paused her studies to raise her family. She said the decision to return was difficult but motivated by wanting to do something for herself. She credited supportive tutors and flexibility around family commitments. Her daughter Amelia, 12, helped with homework and revision. Lunn said she enjoyed the Access course, including politics, and found the programme’s progressive structure helpful.

Poskitt left A Levels and worked in hospitality and retail before returning to education after having her two children. She said seeing midwives during her own births encouraged her to enrol. Her children attended Little SERC, the creche at Newcastle Campus, which she described as key to her ability to study. She said the creche allowed her to complete homework before collecting her children and reduced pressure. Poskitt said she took the course one step at a time and made friends in a supportive environment.

SERC offers a free part-time Restart Education programme for adults building skills in English, Maths, Science, IT, Social Science, and Well-being and Resilience. The Level 3 Access Diploma in Foundation Studies is intended for adults who want to progress to university. Little SERC creche at Newcastle Campus provides care for babies, toddlers and pre-school children, with means-tested grants available for childcare costs.