Diverse Learners, Kirsty's Story: From Quitting To Submitting

This is Kirsty’s story, a very typical account from the students we support and the services 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 find strategies to help her complete it. 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 9 am – 10 pm, have excellent knowledge of nursing courses, and specialise in supporting students on healthcare courses.

Kirsty did not know she could use a different supplier for her specialist study skills tuition and thought she could only get support through 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. Within a week, the change was approved, and Kirsty received her first specialist study skills session.

I was Kirsty’s tutor, and that first session was ONLY 10 weeks ago. 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 we met on different days and at different times each week, including evenings and often weekends, so she could access her specialist study skills support.

Kirsty has just submitted her dissertation, and if she passes, 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.

If you are interested in changing your DSA-funded support to Diverse Learners, please leave a comment, call 01964 536596, text / call 07947 325 849 or email admin@diverse-learners.co.uk