She felt “stuck” because she didn’t have the right qualifications to apply for a degree but once she heard about Edge Hill’s free Fastrack course, designed to prepare people like Lorna for higher education, a plan started to take shape. 

Lorna successfully completed the programme and went on to study an undergraduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, progressing to complete an MSc Psychology (Conversion). 

She now works as a senior psychotherapist at Wilderness Way in Penrith, a provider of residential care for children who have experienced trauma, exploitation or crisis, and credits Fastrack with transforming her future. 

“I’ve always been drawn to work that allows me to make a difference in the lives of people who may not have had the easiest start,” she said. 

“Supporting children felt like a natural calling. Children show incredible resilience, and when someone believes in them – even just one consistent adult – it can completely shift the direction of their lives. 

“Without the Fastrack programme, I wouldn’t have been able to build the career I have now, because I’d never have known my own capabilities. 

“The course made me realise I had the capacity for learning and it built my confidence hugely. The lecturers were so supportive and knowledgeable. 

“If you’re thinking about changing your career but feel unsure, Fastrack is the perfect place to begin. I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’ve been out of education for a long time, or when life hasn’t taken a straightforward path – but that doesn’t limit what you’re capable of.” 

During Lorna’s studies at Edge Hill, she developed her theoretical understanding and practical skills, which prepared her for a rewarding role in child mental health. 

“I support our clinical team to deliver highquality, evidencebased therapeutic care for vulnerable children. 

“Every day is different and we’re all there to make a difference. Even the smallest wins can mean the world.” 

Edge Hill University’s Fastrack programme offers adults aged 21 and over the chance to access higher education, even if they don’t currently hold the qualifications required. 

The free full-time course begins with a oneweek induction, followed by six weeks of oncampus study designed to develop academic skills, subject knowledge and most importantly, confidence to succeed University level education.  

Find out more at the Fastrack Information Evening on Wednesday 4 March at 5:30pm.

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Studying counselling and where it can take you

Our counselling and psychotherapy degree at Edge Hill University will allow you to explore how to use therapy skills ethically and effectively with a focus on helping people to reflect on difficult experiences and to process painful feelings. You’ll build your own confidence and self-awareness, too. We sat down with Programme Leader, John Marsden, to find out more.

What was your journey into Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Strangely, it was the death of Princess Diana. It unleashed a lot of feelings in me of upset and distress, and I was surprised at where all these feelings came from. I began my counsellor training, completing a diploma and various other courses.

I also did a placement working with clients who were experiencing distress associated to the poverty that they were living in. That introduced the element of social justice in counselling. As counsellors we are good at helping people, however we don’t always challenge the reasons why they’re in that situation. We want to promote autonomy and empower the client. I also worked with the probation service with high-risk offenders, whilst also setting up a private practice and doing some teaching at the local college.

I ended up working with all kinds of age groups with all kinds of issues. One of the beauties of counselling is that it allows you to build a career for yourself which is like a portfolio. It involves lots of different types of work, meaning it is endlessly fascinating and interesting. You’re always developing yourself at the same time.

How is personal development a part of this degree?

In the first year of the course, we give students up to £500 to have their own personal therapy. We also have personal development groups, giving people the opportunity to talk to each other and share empathy about their experiences. We also ask students to keep a reflective journal, where they can reflect on their experiences. The theory we teach can all be applied to yourself, so it really is an opportunity to grow and become more self-aware.

Personal growth makes us more effective as counsellors. For example, if a client was to come along with a particular problem that you may have personally experienced, prior personal development is really important so that it becomes a point of connection and empathy. The better you know yourself, the more likely you are able to help others. Any stress and trauma that you may have experienced in your life becomes a resource that you can draw on. It becomes something that is painful but is enabling you to help others with a similar experience.

What makes the course at Edge Hill University stand out?

This course is an amalgamation of two previous courses that we have run. It has brought together the best aspects of both courses, meaning that we have combined a broad curriculum with the counsellor training.

One module is on international perspectives on mental health. In the third-year students get to hear from different counsellors and psychotherapists all over the world, who talk about their experiences in their countries and what the mental health systems are like there.

We also support students out in placement, where they will gather 100 hours of counselling practice. We pay towards their supervision with an individual supervisor of their own choosing, but they will also come into university and speak about their client work in a group setting. This is an opportunity for them to reflect on practice.

What would you say to someone who is considering studying counselling and psychotherapy at Edge Hill?

Counselling is about building a relationship. If you’re interested in the relationship between the client and the therapist, and you believe that the relationship itself is the agent of change, then counselling would be right for you. We try to incorporate aspects of other disciplines, such as sociology, into the course.

Counselling and psychotherapy is a certain way of helping, which is to be alongside people whilst they work it out for themselves, and to help them process emotions and help them come to their own conclusions. It’s about connecting and supporting while people work it out themselves.

One of the good things about counselling is the ripple effect. You’re not just helping the client, but by helping them you may well be helping their relationships with family members, their partners, work colleagues. A lot of people can feel the benefit of the work that you’re doing with that one individual client.

What can a student do next upon completing the BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy degree?

Students could go on to be counsellors, working for themselves, or working for organisations that counsel people. Or the broad foundation that they will have will mean they could go into careers such as mental health nursing, social work, or some other helping profession. Students may also wish to go onto further postgraduate study.

You can develop and become experts in different areas of work. For example, I trained in working with post-traumatic stress, which included working with fire fighters. However, my current field of interest is bereavement work. Some of our past students have trained to work with the military or have had an interest in working with the police. You could also train as a supervisor and could end up supervising other counsellors’ work. There’s just so many work opportunities, and the direction you go in is your choice.

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She has been described as “an asset” to the Widening Access Team, giving up her time to support them. She has been instrumental in designing and implementing several initiatives, including ‘This is Home’ and ‘Discover Your Potential’ – helping 14-16-year-olds who have experienced care to see higher education as an option.

Working alongside her fellow ‘This is Home’ panel members, Lauren has influenced changes in language around care-experienced and estranged students to ensure it’s as inclusive as possible and the financial support available to them. She has also designed activities, such as a self-reflection tasks, where they can express their worries about university in a safe space.

This scholarship win is a massive boost for Lauren:

“It will not only boost my CV and employability but also my confidence. When I feel like I’m doing everything wrong, when I struggle to recognise any of my work as an ‘achievement,’ I will think of this award and the kind words of the person who nominated me.”

Lauren has been open about her mental health challenges. She sees helping others as also helping herself:

“For the longest time, I was my own worst enemy, and I didn’t see any future for myself worth fighting for. Learning to fight for myself and let others fight for me when I didn’t think I deserved it has been a real challenge. I think being on the panel helped with that. Fighting for others helped me to feel deserving of a good life. Like I was giving something, and so I deserved to receive something. It was also for – and in honour of – the little girl I used to be, who wanted others to fight for her when no one did. It’s also in honour of all those who saw the little girl who needed someone and went out of their way to be that someone. Teachers, support staff, therapists, doctors, classmates, friends; they inspire me every day, every step of the way.”

And Lauren is grateful to Edge Hill for opening up so may career options:

“I know in my lifetime I will be a counsellor or therapist of some sort, but there are so many other skills I can use in different areas. I’m considering the NHS graduate training scheme or applying for a role in higher education where I can support students from widening access backgrounds like myself. I also have a creative side, and working somewhere that nurtures that would be nice. Being at Edge Hill is like being a kid in a candy shop; there are so many opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. Choosing the path for me will be difficult, but I am confident the University will support me every step of the way.”

The Adam Bell Scholarship, named in memory of Edge Hill’s first scholarships administrator, recognises students who make a significant contribution to the University community and/or who demonstrate dedication, resilience and compassion. We have a broad programme of scholarships for prospective and current students, recognising practical and academic excellence.

There is more information available about the support we offer for care-experienced and estranged students.

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The incredible life changing project was described by judges as “a genuine grassroots initiative, which has had a profound impact on service user outcomes.”

The patient rides see service users grow in confidence in the fresh air while exercising and aiding their recovery journey.

David said: “Recovery Riders was inspired by my own experience with paternal post-natal depression.

“As well as medical treatment and therapy, cycling was an important part of my own recovery and the project used these three concepts as a base,

“We saw through Recovery Riders how cycling helped incredibly vulnerable people drop their defence mechanisms and open up about issues by providing an outlet away from the inpatient environment.

“It changed my view on effective treatment of mental health conditions, highlighting how social inclusion and empowerment can be effective tools outside traditional medical models of care.”

David devised the programme with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust staff nurse Oliver Field. Supported by nurses on the ward at Ormskirk Hospital, David and his colleagues secured input from Lancashire Police, Unison and Halfords to provide bikes, equipment and clothing.

Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy, John Marsden, said: “David’s project embodies the values we cherish and promote at Edge Hill University.

“It’s wonderful to see him making a difference in his local community and applying the knowledge and skills he’s learning on his degree. “

Maria Nelligan, Chief Nurse and Quality Officer at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I’m so incredibly proud of our Recovery Riders project and all the nursing team involved in delivering such wonderful person-centred care.”

The Nursing Times Awards bring together the nursing community to shine a light on the brightest talent in the profession and recognise those making nursing innovative, patient-focused and inclusive.

Interested in impacting mental health services? Explore our courses from mental health nursing to counselling and psychotherapy.

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