Kirsty’s story – from quitting to submitting
This is Kirsty’s story and is very typical account from the students we support and service we provide at Diverse Learners.
Kirsty is a 3rd year nursing student who came to us just 10 weeks ago for specialist study skills support often referred to as “dyslexia / dyspraxia support” or accessing a “SpLD tutor” – Specific Learning Difficulties tutor.
Kirsty had an extension on her dissertation and knew she needed to access support from a specialist study skills tutor to help her to find strategies that would enable her to complete her dissertation. Kirsty had been allocated a number of hours of specialist study skills support and the funding from the Non-Medical Helper (NMH) element of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA).
However, her university did not have any available tutors to provide specialist study skills support funded via Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) so she could not access the support she needed from her university. Someone in her cohort at university was using their DSA funding to access our services and recommended Diverse Learners for our flexible support, as we work 7 days a week 9am – 10pm, have excellent knowledge of nursing courses, and specialise in supporting students on healthcare courses.
Kirsty did not know she could use a different supplier to provide her specialist study skills support tuition and thought she could only get support via the university. She was not aware that you had a choice of suppliers via DSA. Kirsty contacted her funding body and changed her DSA funded support to Diverse Learners and within a week the change was approved and Kirsty was receiving her first specialist study skills session. I was Kirsty’s tutor and that first session was ONLY 10 weeks ago and in that first session Kirsty was distressed and close to giving up her course even though she only had 3 months to go and only her dissertation to submit. 
I have worked with Kirsty for 2 sessions a week fitting in with her shifts at placement, part-time job and caring responsibilities. This meant that we met on different days and at different times each week including evenings and often weekends in order for her to be able to gain access to her specialist study skills support.
Kirsty has just submitted her dissertation and if she passes her dissertation she will be a qualified nurse.
This is the email she sent me after submitting her dissertation a day early.
“I have never submitted anything the day before. I just want to thank you for your help. This process has been so much easier with you and less stressful. I know now I would not have got it done on my own. I feel like have learnt a lot too. My only regret is that you were not with me from the beginning but never mind. Thank you for everything and if I ever find myself back in education, I will definitely coming straight back to you!”
This shows you the impact timely, student-centred, quality support can make. You can read what others say about our services on our Testimonials page.
If you are interested in changing your DSA funded support to Diverse Learners please leave a comment, call 01964 536596 or text / call 07947 325 849 or email admin@Diverse-Learners.co.uk