OU psychology graduate gets MBE for services to children and families

An OU graduate has been awarded an MBE for his services to children and families – and says his psychology degree helped him get there.

It was a double accolade for Clive Cumming and his wife Sharon, from Bristol, who were both named MBEs in the New Year’s Honours list, having fostered 150 children over 35 years.

Clive graduated from the Open University in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Psychology and says his OU studies helped him both in his job as a commercial manager with the Ministry of Defence and as a foster parent.

He said of his OU degree: “Aside from giving me a better understanding of human behaviour (particularly useful during commercial negotiations!) the main benefit has been in relation to the fostering work which my wife and I undertake.

“Many of the young people who come into our care have experienced emotional trauma in their early life. An understanding of how this affects their subsequent development helps us to understand behaviour which they may present whilst in our care.”

Clive started his OU student journey in 1993 with a social science foundation course and progressed with further studies to achieve graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

He said he and his wife Sharon were delighted to be appointed MBEs and think of it as a reward and recognition for the good work that all foster carers do.

For more information read this story in the Bristol Evening Post.