The Hansons, part-time Certificates in Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Education
A family turned to the University of Sunderland when they needed to fit part-time teaching qualifications around running a successful social care company together.
Gillian Hanson and her two daughters, Julie and Gemma, were looking to improve training facilities for staff at their Sunderland-based company Citycare, but needed the qualifications to move forward with their business plans.
They enrolled together, with Gillian opting for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education and her daughters studying for their Certificates in Education.
Gillian said: "The last two years have been one big rollercoaster, juggling work and study. But the University tutors were so supportive throughout and the course has provided us with an opportunity to take our own business further than we imagined."
For Gemma the flexibility of part-time study, coupled with supportive staff, proved a blessing as she fell pregnant half way through her course.
"Finding out I was pregnant with Pearl came as a huge shock and when she was born I felt like packing it all in," admitted the 29-year-old.
"But a couple of weeks after giving birth I decided I didn't want to give up and was back at work, fitting in my university studies.
"I was pretty exhausted at times, with the sleepless nights and organising classes around feeding Pearl, but it was all worth it to reach this point today. My lecturers were incredibly supportive and understanding."
