A student at the University of Worcester who has supported his young daughter and wife through serious illnesses while studying has graduated.
Teaching Assistant Rory Timmins, 40, studied a top up degree in Integrated Working with Children and Families after doing a three-year Foundation Degree in Learning Support, both at the University of Worcester.
A student at the University for 5 years, life outside his studies has been particularly difficult. In 2023, his 6-year-old daughter Matilda developed an auto-immune disorder.
“She was really poorly, and was in hospital for quite some time,” said the father-of-two. “It was a massive strain on my mental health, and it meant I had to step up a lot at home with my son because my wife was in the hospital, and I was doing that while working in the school and studying as well.”
Rory decided to split his degree over two years to reduce the pressure on his family. While his daughter thankfully started to get better, his wife sadly became ill soon after.
He said: “I had started the new term in September, and my wife became very ill. She had a condition affecting her heart which meant she was off work for some time, and it has meant lots of hospital visits.”
He continued: “It was extremely challenging to study, be there for my wife, and look after my children.”
Now, Matilda is out of hospital and is under the watch of the family’s GP and the local nursing team, and Rory’s wife is receiving help for her ongoing medical needs.
Rory said: “My tutors at the University were fantastic. I couldn’t thank the lecturers enough. They put so much in place to help me overcome the adversity, they helped me get counselling and they just got me to where I needed to be with the right head space.”
Having done a Foundation Degree at Worcester, this will be Rory’s second graduation, but he said this one will be particularly special.
He said: “I feel like I have really, really earned it! It’s a lovely feeling to have achieved my degree after the couple of years I’ve had.”
He added: “My wife will be there on the day, and that’ll make it even more worthwhile, we’re all very proud.”
Dr Angela Hodgkins, Course Leader, Integrated Working with Children and Families and one of Rory’s lecturers, said: “Rory’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Despite facing significant challenges, his resilience and determination to succeed have truly stood out.”
She added: “His commitment has been unwavering, and his tenacity and drive have left a lasting impression on all of us; he’s a genuine inspiration to his peers, and the teaching team and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”