‘I’m excited for the next chapter’ says cancer survivor and proud graduate Charlie.

Having played competitive sports for many years Charlie, 58, faced the biggest battle of his life to overcome a critical illness during his Open University (OU) Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree. Charlie describes how digging deep and making the most of the OU’s support, gave him the strength to cross the finish line He’s now looking forward to an exciting career as a sports teacher. From a young age, sport was a lifeline for Charlie and something he was always good at.

“School was a challenging time for me. I found the academic side difficult, but I was lucky enough to have a fantastic sports teacher who noticed my potential,” Charlie remembers. “He encouraged me to join all the school sports teams and helped me write about my experiences, which really helped me with other subjects.”

Taking coaching to the next level

While working as a physical training instructor for the Metropolitan Police Service, Charlie was approaching a milestone birthday and wanted to do something special to mark it.

“I’d been coaching football in the community for years, it’s a real passion of mine,” Charlie says. “So I decided to take a couple of months off work and coach football in America.

After receiving amazing feedback on his coaching ability and style, Charlie found the confidence to  embark on the OU’s Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree.

“I was a bit daunted at first, but I was ready to give it my all. I was also setting up my own community soccer school at the time, so everything was falling into place.”

Devastating news

Since returning from America, Charlie had been struggling with hip pain. After consulting his doctor he was told he needed a hip replacement, which led to a devastating discovery.“ I went for my pre-op checks and then several tests and scans later, the doctors discovered tumours on my lungs,” Charlie explains. “To cut a long story short, I had a rare form of cancer, which needed extremely aggressive treatment. It was a horrible time.”

Unsure of his survival chances, Charlie was rushed for treatment but he recovered well and eventually got the new hip he badly needed.

“As you can imagine with all that treatment, multiple operations and then a hip replacement, I had a lot of recovery time on my hands,” Charlie recalls. “[I had paused my degree and ] thought I’d make the most of it and picked up my studies again.”

A new perspective

Surviving the scariest experience of his life made Charlie even more determined to succeed.

“Coming out of something like that gives you a whole new perspective,” Charlie reflects. “I felt I could do anything I set my mind to – including this degree.”

As he progressed through his degree, Charlie surprised himself by carving out time for study after a hard day at work.

“I liked the adrenaline of reaching a submission deadline, I even miss that now. It was like training for a marathon and getting to race day,” says Charlie.

Digging deep

It wasn’t always plain sailing for Charlie. After failing two tutor marked assignments, his self-confidence took a blow and he started to doubt whether he would ever graduate.

“I didn’t just miss out on a few marks, I failed badly,” Charlie admits. “I was finding the level of the work tough in that last year, and I was on the verge of giving up. But I’d come so far, I just had to pick myself back up.”

That’s when Charlie embraced the different avenues of support on offer at the OU.

“I’d recommend the Student Support Service to anyone who’s struggling. The support they gave me was absolutely brilliant,” says Charlie. “I also contacted my tutor, who was really patient and explained where I’d gone wrong.”

Using visualisation techniques he’d honed through sport; Charlie dug deep and took his tutor’s advice on board.

“I imagined myself crossing the stage at my graduation ceremony whenever I was doubting myself, then I absolutely smashed my final assignment,” Charlie recounts. “I was gobsmacked at the mark I got, and I couldn’t have done it without the support I had from the OU.”

Learning about himself

Not only did Charlie exceed his academic expectations after completing his degree, but he also surprised himself in other ways.

“My OU experience was amazing. I learned a lot about myself. I found another gear I never knew was there. I had this strong drive to do better. And for someone who was always late, I got really good at time management!”

Determined to make the most of his achievements and the skills he developed along the way, Charlie has exciting plans for the future.

“I’m 58 now, so I want to make the most of this degree,” Charlie begins. “I’m planning to enrol for teacher training, so I can teach sports in secondary school. What better way to end my career? I know I can make a difference to young people and give back what my sports teacher gave me.”

Charlie, who celebrated at his degree ceremony in Brighton reflects on what it means to achieve his degree.

“Getting this degree is the best thing I’ve ever done. I can’t wait for the next stage of my journey, and it’s all thanks to the OU.”

 

Having played competitive sports for many years, Charlie faced the battle of his life to overcome a critical illness during his degree.

Here he describes how digging deep and making the most of the support gave him the strength to cross the finish line:https://t.co/jT4A68rfqI pic.twitter.com/o16M9ZiTn6

— The Open University (@OpenUniversity) November 7, 2023

Former Royal Marine Peter Dunning was playing wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games 2018 when a fellow UK Team member told him about The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF). Before he knew it, he’d successfully applied and was embarking on a BSc in Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree – something which has always been his passion. After graduation, he dreams of working in sport and coaching fellow veterans.From the Invictus Games to an OU Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree

Former Royal Marine Peter Dunning was playing wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games 2018 when a fellow UK Team member told him about The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF).

Before he knew it, he’d successfully applied and was embarking on a BSc in Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree — something which has always been his passion.

Now in his third year, Peter — who lost both his legs and sustained multiple other injuries on duty in Afghanistan — is on track to complete his degree in 2023. After graduation, he dreams of working in sport, coaching fellow veterans and future Invictus Games participants.

After doing his GCSEs at school, Peter studied Sports Science and Clinical Psychology at a brick university. While he enjoyed playing Rugby Union for the university team, he didn’t enjoy the clinical psychology element and dropped out.

Looking to challenge himself more both physically and mentally, Peter joined the Royal Marines and served for five years before an accident in 2008 changed his life forever. A vehicle he was in went over an improvised explosive device (IED) leaving him badly injured and unable to continue his military career or play the sport he adored.

Years later, Peter began playing wheelchair rugby and was one of eight players selected to represent the UK Team in the Invictus Games in Sydney in 2018.

“Daniel Bingley, a friend of mine who was also competing in the Invictus Games, told me about the OU’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund,” he said.

“I knew I needed to do something else, so I looked into it further and thought ‘Why not?’.

“I wanted to choose a course that I would enjoy and that would help my future, so I went for Sport, Fitness and Coaching, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! The sport arena is what I’d like to do career-wise, and sports is where my big interest has been ever since I was a wee dot.”

Peter got off to a great start with his studies and was nominated for an Inspirational Student Award by his tutor.

“It was a shock to be nominated for the Student Award, and it was even better to win it!” he said.

“Studying with the OU has changed me because it has made me appreciate education. I’ve been out of work and education for a while, and this has got me back into it. It’s good to get the grey matter ticking over again!

“I didn’t know if I would be able to achieve this, but I am. I couldn’t do it without the ongoing help and support of my partner either,” he added.

But studying has not been without its challenges and sacrifices. “It hasn’t always been easy, even though I enjoy it,” he said. “I suspect I have dyslexia — I’ve never had it diagnosed, but sometimes it can take me a long time to get my reading done and I’ll have to read the same line over and over again. Because it’s a topic I’m so interested in, I just keep going, but it can be challenging.

“I’m also buying a house with my partner. Moving house is stressful, so I decided to do my third year part-time instead of full-time so I don’t take on too much at once. Similarly, I was due to play in the Invictus Games in April 2023 but I’ve pulled out because I’ll be working on my end of module assignments around then.”

Peter has shared custody of his two children, so he’s had to find ways to fit in his studies around his family life.

“Having my studies really helped me in lockdown too, especially during the weeks I didn’t have my kids,” he said. “It gave me something to focus on, so it’s been a lifeline. I just made sure I was always a week or two ahead, so I was free when I had my kids to help them with their homeschooling.”

He also appreciates the way OU study is broken down into manageable blocks and said: “I love a to-do list, so I like the way OU work is set out week by week. I like ticking it off at the end of each week!

“You have to be self-motivated, but I haven’t found that hard because I genuinely enjoy the subject I’ve chosen, so I’m inspired by that. I also spoke to a local sports scientist to learn about the job, and thinking about that keeps me motivated as my goal is to work in a related field.”

The DVSF is made possible thanks to the generosity of OU alumni and donors. Each year, the Fund enables veterans like Peter to access life-changing education, so they can rewrite their futures outside of the military.

“To all the donors and everyone who helps with the DVSF scheme I have simply two words to say — thank you! I will always be happy to shout about the DVSF as it’s been of great benefit to me,” said Peter. “Having the opportunity to do the scholarship has been fantastic — I don’t think I’d have considered studying without a scholarship as I couldn’t have funded it.

“My studies have already helped my wheelchair rugby teammates and I when it comes to recovery and nutrition. The teaching materials and tutors have been great — particularly when it comes to assignment feedback and their helpful advice which helps me to perform better next time.

“I am hoping my qualification will really be of immense benefit when it comes to job searching and will make it easier to get into the area that I want to work in. Plus, lots of jobs require you to have a degree, so now I’ll be able to apply for those too. I want to get into a career in exercise physiology, biometrics or coaching — I’d love to coach for the Invictus Games!

“To anyone thinking of studying with the OU I’d say, ‘Good for you!’. My advice would be to: make sure you pick a topic you’re interested in; find a time in the day when you know you’re at their most productive to study; and give yourself plenty of time for assignments. Good luck!”

Veteran John Owens was at the top of his military career when a stroke left him hospitalised and facing an uncertain future. With support of The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund, he’s now working towards a new career as a personal trainer. chapter in his ongoing recovery.

After facing his own challenges, John, from Kilmarnock is determined to show other disabled veterans that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I was operating weapons in a war zone when I was still a teenager,” says John, who signed up for the Army after leaving school at 16. His passion for fitness led him to begin as a personal trainer but was soon seconded into Weapons Support.

“When the First Gulf War started, I was possibly the youngest soldier there aged just 17. I couldn’t help thinking, here I am in a war zone, but when I go home, I won’t be considered old enough to buy a beer in a pub!”

John’s military career took him around the world, where he travelled to conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan to provide weapons support to the frontline troops. After his tours, he was promoted and began to teach the next generation of recruits at the Army’s Specialist Weapons School. All while continuing his passion for running whenever he could.

It was then, while at the top of his 24-year service, that John suffered his first stroke.

Adapting to civilian life

“After my MRI scan, the doctors found evidence that I had suffered an earlier stroke whilst serving in conflict zones in the 1990s. I then suffered another stroke in May 2011, which was more serious.

“In my typical fashion, I thought I could just run it off and went for a five-mile run! Very soon afterwards, I collapsed while walking to work. Later tests showed I had been born with a hole in my heart which I had no idea about!

“I was at the pinnacle of my career and now my whole world was collapsing around me.”

After spending his whole life constantly on the move, John was now wheelchair-bound and faced a tough recovery, including speech and language therapy.

“I had to be medically discharged from the Army which was a massive blow. I wasn’t sure what my future might hold and didn’t know what I was going to do. My Resettlement Officer mentioned The Open University, but I thought [the OU would never happen as I have no qualifications and a brain injury.] I was also concerned as to whether I would be fit enough to study.

“But with nothing to lose, I applied for the Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF).”

Starting a new journey with the OU

John is just one of hundreds of former servicemen and women studying through a scholarship. The DVSF was specially created to fully support disabled veterans injured in or due to service as they transition to civilian life. It enables veterans to access free education and wraparound support so they can rewrite their futures and unlock new careers.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed when I heard I had been accepted to study for a BSc in Sport, Fitness and Coaching, and was totally over the moon as it gave me a new focus. I was determined to build on my previous experience and become a qualified personal trainer.

“I began studying with the OU in 2020 and they’ve been brilliant. I had been worried about resources for disabled students, but the OU provided me with a laptop computer and a Livescribe pen with tuition on how to use it all.”

Giving back to society

Through sheer determination, John went from being in a wheelchair to completing a 10,000-metre run within a year following his debilitating stroke.

“I thought to myself, what if I can give this [drive] to someone else?

“My aim is to work with other disabled veterans and individuals to show them the benefits of training. And I’m already doing this by coaching young kids to teach them about discipline, commitment and focus.

“It’s my way of giving something back to society. And that’s really my main message to donors [of the Scholarships Fund], as well as saying a huge thank you for helping to give me a new future. I believe teachers and coaches are pivotal to our children’s futures. So the more disabled veterans like me who can be helped to do similar things, the more it benefits our society as a whole.”

An acclaimed Scottish Ballet dancer shares how she achieved her first-class Open University degree alongside a full-time career as a professional ballerina.

Constance Devernay-Laurence is used to wowing audiences as a Principal dancer in Scottish Ballet. She’s now added another achievement to her bright career by completing a degree in Sport, Fitness and Coaching.

“It’s great to be able to inspire other people through dance both on and off stage,” says the 32-year-old. “Studying with The Open University has also boosted my confidence and promoted my own inner drive to keep learning.”

Swapping ballet slippers for books

Through the six years she studied part-time for her OU degree, Constance performed in over 17 different productions including The Nutcracker, Cinderella and The Snow Queen.

Surprisingly, she says that the backstage dressing rooms proved the perfect place to study:

“I studied mainly in the evenings after rehearsals, or during the day, between performances,” she says. “My favourite place to study is in my dressing room in theatres, as it is a quiet place where I can find my focus.

“Touring nationally and internationally with Scottish Ballet meant that I could find time to study during our travel.”

Constance admits that it was a fine balance to complete her studies at the same time as a physically taxing performance schedule. Which is why the flexibility of an Open University qualification was so important.

“It was definitely challenging at times to fit my studies around the company’s heavy rehearsal and performance schedule and its inevitable toll on my body, but, in a way, it allowed me to have an escape from ballet and get some perspective on what is a demanding career,” she says.

“I have also learned valuable psychological and physiological skills with each module, which in turn helped me become a better and stronger dancer.”

Career-boosting skills

Constance was born in Amiens, France and started dancing at just five years old. After training with the English National Ballet School in London, Constance moved to Glasgow in 2009 to join Scottish Ballet and has been a Principal dancer since 2016.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Constance says that completing a degree has helped her to apply her skills to her current career and set her up for one in the future.

“I now feel better equipped to transition from my career as a professional ballet dancer when the time is right, but also to tackle everyday challenges,” she says.

As a proud graduate, Constance had this advice for anyone looking to invest in their futures and start a qualification with the OU:

“Studying with the OU was the best decision for my future, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of starting a module or degree to take that step.

“All the tutors and staff were so supportive, I never felt out of my depth, even though English isn’t my first language, and I knew that I could always ask for help or extra time if needed. Graduating felt amazing and I have loved my time with the OU.”

After crossing the stage with fellow graduates at her OU degree ceremony in Glasgow, Constance is now back performing with Scottish Ballet as The Snow Queen.

 

Congratulations to @scottishballet principal dancer @BalletCoco, who received her degree in Sports Fitness and Coaching at our Glasgow ceremony today 🙌

Here she gives her advice for anyone currently studying or thinking of studying with The OU:#OUfamily pic.twitter.com/7M71QbEVlz

— OU in Scotland (@OUScotland) October 28, 2022

In the video below BSc (hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching graduate Robyn Drummond discusses how studying at the OU allowed her to pursue her dream of a career in the fitness industry.

Accessibility: To view a version of this video with subtitles please visit My Career in Fitness – YouTube