From teaching assistant to healthcare professional
Patience Prosper began her Regent College London (RCL) journey in February 2020. At the time, she worked as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school, where she witnessed her colleagues supporting children with complex needs. Their dedication inspired her to pursue a degree in Health and Social Care.
Returning to education after seven years felt like a bold move, but Patience quickly found herself among peers who shared similar experiences. She connected with classmates and took on the role of Student Representative early in her studies. Just as things began to settle, the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything upside down.
Building a community during lockdown
Lockdown presented enormous challenges, but Patience and her fellow Student Reps acted fast. They worked together to build an online community for RCL students – a much-needed support network during a period of uncertainty.
Most college activities shifted to Microsoft Teams, and Patience had to get comfortable with it quickly. She continued as a Student Rep, even participating in virtual inductions to welcome new students and share her experiences. These efforts helped students stay connected and supported during a difficult time.
Making the most of RCL support
Throughout her time at RCL, Patience engaged with various support services and resources. She participated in Thinking into Character™, a personal and professional development programme created by RCL Co-Founder Dr Selva Pankaj.
“Thinking into Character was amazing and helped me shape my career,” says Patience. “I encourage anyone to take it on.”
She also joined the Many Hands group – a peer-to-peer mental health initiative. As part of this, she supported students facing academic and personal challenges, working with them to develop strategies for success.
“That was a great training ground for me because I was mentoring people facing all sorts of challenges,” she says. “If someone’s mental health is suffering, everything else can fall apart, so helping them find a way forward was important.”
Skills development and academic support
Patience also took advantage of the many skills development workshops delivered by the ASK@Regent team. These sessions covered various topics – from essay writing and research to CV-building and personal development.
“I used to finish online lectures at 5 PM and then jump straight into a workshop,” she says. “They were invaluable.”
She credits her classmates and the student support team as key influences during her time at college.
“Everyone I worked with brought something important to my journey.”
Balancing study and family life
Patience is a wife and a mother to two daughters, and balancing family life with study was one of her biggest challenges.
She worked in the same school her children attended, which helped with logistics, but evenings were full of tasks – cooking, cleaning, helping with homework and spending time with her children before sitting down to study late into the night.
“When things got tough, I reached out,” she says. “Whether it was my Student Rep group or a mentor at RCL, talking always helped.”
She also credits Thinking into Character with helping her develop resilience and a growth mindset.
“I knew I had to keep going – and I knew Dr Selva wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Graduation and a new career
Time management became second nature, and Patience’s children were old enough to understand the importance of her studies. With the full support of her husband, daughters and the RCL community, Patience completed her degree in February 2023. Her graduation followed that November, which she describes as one of the proudest days of her life.
During her final year, Patience joined the Employability Skills module, which focused on CVs, job applications and building a professional presence online. Through LinkedIn, she discovered an opportunity to be a Graduate Healthcare Worker with Oxleas NHS Trust – her ideal position in the perfect location.
The application process was competitive, and in the final stage, candidates were asked to deliver a presentation on their proudest moment. Patience drew from her experience at RCL – and it paid off.
Back in the field – and looking forward
Since September 2023, Patience has worked in a special needs school as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. The role has reaffirmed her passion for working with children and young people.
“What better place for a Health and Social Care graduate to be?” she says with a smile.
Her current role is a two-year contract that ends in August 2025. Inspired by her experience, she’s now preparing to return to education. With a reference from Dr Morris Anglin, Dean of the School of Health and Sports Science, she received an unconditional offer to study Occupational Therapy.
“If RCL offered Occupational Therapy courses, I’d be the first to sign up,” she laughs.
Reflecting on the journey
As she looks back, Patience remains grateful for the people and support systems that shaped her time at RCL.
“Everybody’s journey is unique,” she says. “My advice is to embrace the highs, learn from the lows and define success on your own terms. If you work hard, you’ll get where you want to go.”
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