Stephen Brown
Living in a residential care home with physical and mental health problems meant that the flexibility and pace of distance learning worked best for Stephen and in June 2007 he gained his first qualification – a Certificate in Archaeology from the University of Exeter. Just a month later Stephen began a Diploma distance-learning course with the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology, passing in June 2010. Stephen gained consistently good grades through the determination and self-motivation that is required with distance learning, despite numerous health setbacks along the way, and is now enrolled on a BA Archaeology programme so he can obtain a degree.
Nominator, Ruth, said of Stephen: “Stephen has overcome many personal challenges to grasp the opportunity of studying that has saved his life, and through studying he has come to believe that he is not a ‘loser’.” Stephen added, “This course is giving me back my self-esteem and confidence and I would say to anyone in my situation, don’t give up, anything is possible – as I have proved.”
