Rebekah had been an unpaid carer for 13 years and she was ready to challenge herself and use her brain in a different way when she came across the Open University’s Carers Scholarships Fund. She is hoping to use her Law degree to help effect legislative change in employment law to make working more accessible to carers - something she is very passionate about.
Rebekah is a busy mum to three children, and carer for her eldest son who has multiple and complex disabilities. She has been his carer since he was born, and, for the last 12 years, has only ever been able to work for brief periods in low paid work. He has frequent hospital appointments across the country and needs constant care and support for everything from eating and drinking, to interacting with others and playing.
Rebekah gave up her place at UWE after Jack was born as his care needs were too high to make studying on campus, away from wider family, possible. She was devastated when she could not take up her place but caring for her poorly son was more important.
For many, like Rebekah, it can be very tricky to balance this work with their paid, day job. Her breaking point came when a previous employer wanted her to work extra hours to make up for the time she had taken off to care for Jack as he recovered from major surgery. "I just couldn't go back in there knowing what they thought of me… that I've taken liberties. I felt completely broken." She quit the next day.
Rebekah knew about The Open University and realised that studying in a flexible way would be perfect for her needs, as she could manage life as a busy wife and mother, around study. Allowing time for appointments, school and a hectic family life.
She was browsing the OU site and found the Carers’ Scholarships Fund, and she instantly recognised that it would be the perfect solution to fund her degree. She applied straightaway and she later observed, “I was totally overwhelmed and thrilled when I heard I had been successful. As a carer, no one has invested in me personally for a very long time, I have been an invisible worker with no pay, no appraisal. When I found the scholarship application, it felt like the fact it even existed was a huge affirmation that people like me were worth investing in.”
Rebekah had always felt a Law degree would help her to fulfil my own potential, and to move into a meaningful career. After being an unpaid carer for 13 years and she was very ready to use her brain in a different way and challenge herself in something that was just for her and not about my caring responsibilities. “I am also studying to work towards a different future, not only for myself but also for my family,” explained Rebekah. “We face a challenge that requires significant financial resources to ensure our son is cared for after my husband and I die, he will need support for his whole life.”
Flexible study is imperative for Rebekah as her son often wakes at 4-5 am. If that happens, she sets him up with an activity to not disturb the other children and catches up on reading or studying herself.
“Studying with the OU has been somewhat of a revelation for me,” said Rebekah. “I have spent 13 years at home meeting the needs of my son and running a busy household. To now be doing something that I love, that is for me, and I am achieving highly in (my last TMA I scored 90!) feels very affirming. As a carer I have often felt unseen, unvalued, and lonely, my study has given me a new purpose and feels incredibly positive. It has helped me to feel less of victim of my circumstance and returned a sense of autonomy which has been lacking for years.”
For the first time in many years, Rebekah explained that she can feel hopeful that she will have a career, and a meaningful professional life outside of her caring and parental responsibilities. Rebekah cares passionately in carers’ rights and believes the systems around families should support carers to pursue their own interests, endeavours and career outside of their caring role.
“I would love to think I will do something positive with my Law degree, and I hope I will. I would like to work on legislative change in employment to make working more accessible to carers. Through the OU I have found some opportunities to begin this quest and had some coverage on the BBC, have spoken on a panel for the OU on Carers Rights Day and been invited to be a paid advisor on the OU Carers Research Group.”
We asked Rebekah, what would she say to alumni and supporters of (or those considering supporting) the Carers Scholarships Fund?
“Being a carer feels like I am invisible to anyone outside my home, the Carers Scholarship makes me feel invested in, it validates my experiences as a carer as being valuable and the skills I have learned can be used across other areas. It gives me hope that one day I can improve the outcomes for my family and not be another statistic of a family kept in low income due to our proximity to disability.”
Since starting her studies, Rebekah has found that her confidence has soared, and she is using her newfound voice to be an advocate for herself and others. She was recently offered a consulting role with the OU on their Carers Advisory Group with Jikta Vseteckova, which reports into the Carers Research Group, under Dr Mary Larkin. She has spoken on a panel for Carers Rights Day, and featured on a national BBC online platform, and local BBC radio talking about the systemic challenges of being an unpaid carer in employment. Rebekah has also observed on an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Carers and would love to speak and share her thoughts.
Rebekah achieved a distinction in her Certificate of Higher Education in Law and is looking to complete her degree by 2026.