When I was due to leave school I had no idea what I wanted to do, all I knew was that I wanted to work in the Public Services sector as I have family who serve in the Army and Royal Air Force. My Mum first helped me look for a college that ran the Public Services course. Fortunately, we found Buxton & Leek College and living in Ashbourne, we thought this was brilliant. When it came to my interview night I was terrified, but when I saw the college I was mind blown. I never knew a building would be so amazing; the whole structure in and out had me speechless, which got me thinking that I would love to be coming to this place every day for college.
As soon as you walk in you instantly feel the calm and relaxed in a friendly environment. To feel that each time you are to walk in must be great. I was interviewed by Marilyn Breeze who is the Programme Coordinator for Public Services; so the pressure was on. Marilyn made me feel extremely relaxed from the first moment we spoke. Once I had my interview I told my parents this is where I want to come, so I actually didn’t have any more interviews for others colleges. I was accepted on the Level 2 course, which I was more than happy about. I am so grateful that I started on the Level 2 because it gave me an insight into how different college was to school. It gave me an extra year to mature and start to become the person I am now. I am now working toward the Level 3 course.
Since starting at college, I have achieved my goals thanks to the support I have received from all the tutors. The best part of the course is when our tutors organise for speakers or demonstrators to come in and talk to us. This allows us prepare questions to ask the guest speakers about how they got into public services and what steps we should take to be successful.
One of the biggest things I have learnt is how to work as a team; but most of all become a team leader. The confidence that I have developed is brilliant and because of this confidence, I have become a Student Ambassador for the college’s Advice Days. I have the privilege of talking to future students about the course.
Every year Marilyn Breeze, Richard Robinson, Anne Brown and other tutors all try to bring in new activities for us to do, all with new challenges and goals that we can achieve. I have really enjoyed the outdoor activities we get to do that are part of the course which have included; understanding how to read a map, planning your own route and leading an expedition for the whole class.
Being a Community First Responder (CFR) had never crossed my mind until we had a Paramedic come to talk to us about the different job roles and the fact that each day of their job is different.
At the time, I was 17 and to become a CFR I had to be 18 and hold a full UK driving license. I spoke to my tutors about becoming a CFR and each said they would give me all the support I needed.
Finally, when I was 18 and had passed my driving test I applied for the CFR course along with my Mum. It was a seven-day training course that included theory and practical work. Throughout my training, I found it hard to keep up with my college work but my lecturers understood the situation so they extended my assignment deadlines, which was a massive help.
Becoming a CFR made me feel so proud of myself because it is something I never thought I would do. Knowing that I have developed life-saving skills feels great. If it wasn’t for the public service course leading me in the right direction then I wouldn’t have achieved this.
As part of the course we have been given so many opportunities such as:
Junior Leaders Field Gun
Police Riot Training
Going on a two-day trip to London where we visited Parliament and walked through the House of Commons and the House of Lords
A 24-Hour Run, Ride, Row Challenge. This is where you exercise in teams at set times over a 24 hour period to raise money for charity
A Careers Development Day at the University of Derby Campus
Becoming a Student Ambassador
Visiting the Magistrates Court at Buxton.
What is amazing is that most of our lecturers have previous experiences in public services.
Richard is an Ex-Navy Physical Training Instructor, Martyn Betts is Ex-Territorial Army and Marilyn is a Magistrate, so when it comes to wanting knowledge about the services the information is right here at college.
I can’t express enough about the opportunities I’ve had – for me there is no other college that could compare to the friendly welcome you get from everyone and how safe and secure you feel from the minute you step through the doors.
I can only hope that future students experience what I have and it continues to develop individuals into the person they feel they are – just like I have myself. I have a great appreciation and respect for every single member of staff that has helped me through the three years and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
