Philip proves disability is no barrier to success

Partial disability has not stopped Middlesbrough man Philip Martin from succeeding at the University of Teesside.

Philip, 49, lost the full use of both his arms in after being violently attacked three years ago. As he explained: “I could either sit back and feel sorry for myself, or I could access some courses and plan for the future. So I got in touch with the University and looked forward instead of looking back.”

He started on the University Certificate in Professional Development scheme (UCPD), a series of short courses usually run at community centres. Taking people from non-academic backgrounds, the UCPD’s provide access to Higher Education for all. Philip began with the UCPD in Third Sector Organisations (a course about the management of voluntary groups) at North Ormesby Community Centre and went on to follow it up it with a UCPD in Human Resource Management at the University. A student truly committed to furthering his own skills, Philip also undertook yet another UCPD course, this time in Essential IT (an introduction to general IT skills).

Now studying a part-time degree in BA (Hons) Business Management, Philip is a great example of how the UCPD, combined with commitment and hard work, can lead to further study.

Philip said: “The UCPD showed me I was capable of doing the degree course. It gives you a taste of what to expect. The University has turned my life around and I’m even thinking of doing a Masters degree when I complete this course.”

As well as studying, Philip is currently the Vice-Chair of One Voice Tees Valley, an organisation which identifies and develops services for the local area. Philip worked to support rural community services. He has been involved with One Voice Tees Valley since 1977 when it was called Cleveland Council for Voluntary Services. Prior to that, he was a biology teacher at Blakeston School in Stockton-on-Tees.

Philip will graduate from the UCPD in Human Resource Management on Wednesday 19 March at the University of Teesside’s Main Hall in the Middlesbrough Tower, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, at 6.30pm.

For further information on the University of Teesside’s UCPD courses, call 01642 384277 or visit www.tees.ac.uk

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