The 32-year-old, now living in St Helens, credits the University’s Fastrack programme with helping her rebuild her life and discover her purpose.
Chelsey, now in the third year of a BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) degree, reflects on how far she has come since the days she believed higher education simply wasn’t for her.
“Before Fastrack, I was a single mum, unemployed and completely unsure of what I wanted to do,” she explained. “I’d failed GCSE maths eight times, so I genuinely thought university wasn’t an option for someone like me.”
Her early experiences with education left her disheartened, and after the birth of her daughter Autumn, she struggled with post‑partum depression, which made day‑to‑day life feel overwhelming.
But with the help of her supportive parents Lizzie and Steve and her determination to give her daughter a brighter future, she finally took a chance on herself and enrolled on Fastrack.
“I wanted my daughter to see me building a better life for us, not settling for dead‑end jobs,” she said. “Fastrack made me believe I could change my path.”
The start of everything changing
Chelsey, originally from Warrington, describes her time on the Fastrack Programme as transformational, not only academically, but personally.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met amazing people and it was the first time I felt like I actually belonged in an educational space.”
A key figure in her journey was her tutor, Valarie Smith, whose support played a crucial role in helping her build confidence.
“Val believed in me before I believed in myself. Her support and encouragement made me realise I deserved to be there. I really don’t think I’d be where I am today without her.”
Her advice to new Fastrack students is simple: show up.
“Turn up, even when you feel tired or overwhelmed. Ask questions, get involved and don’t be scared to get things wrong. The support is there, use it.”
Finding purpose through nursing
Fastrack not only prepared Chelsey academically, giving her confidence with university work like referencing and academic writing, but also confirmed her passion for mental health nursing.
“Fastrack gave me a taste of what my future could look like. It showed me that a professional career was actually possible for me.”
Her daughter remains her strongest motivation, but her own lived experience has shaped her ambitions, too.
“After going through post‑partum depression, I wanted to help other women. Turning something painful into something positive felt really important.”
During her nursing placements she has already made an impact, supporting women dealing with depression, post‑partum mental health challenges and domestic abuse.
“Being able to use my own experiences to support others has been one of the things I’m most proud of.”
She has also discovered a growing interest in forensic mental health, an area she hopes to explore further in her future career.
A powerful message for others
Looking back, she says starting Fastrack was the turning point that changed everything.
“My health – physically, mentally and emotionally – has improved so much. Studying while being a parent hasn’t been easy but it’s shown me how strong and capable I really am.”
“It’s never too late to change your path. Even if your life feels messy or overwhelming, you can still build something you’re proud of. If I can do it, anyone can.”
Find out more about studying at Edge Hill University.
April 2, 2026
