To wish i could do this course, but now know how practically or financially?

[Foxxo]

I feel so down about it.. i really would love to do an Art course at the local Technical college, but i just can't see how.

I was taking 15yo dd around yesterday, and we talked to the art people as that's kind of where her interest was, and the course was EVERYTHING i love and would give my right-arm to do, although not for DD, and i jokingly said to the Teacher, i'd love to do something like that, and she said 'there is no age limit!'

Omg, heart in mouth moment.. you know those 'what if?' pipe dreams and then the more i thought about it, the more i realised i just can't...

I am 43, and a carer, my 18yo needs support, i could get funding, but dedicating 2 years to a full time art a-level equivalent just isn't possible around what i need to do for him. I'm also a single mum, and disabled, and have no-one else to help support him while i do other things.

I'm just gutted.. i have no idea what i'd do with that qualification, but i really want to do it.

Sometimes i hate my life.. it feels so damn unfair.

Firstly, there’s nothing wrong with doing a qualification for the sake of it - I’m already planning to do a Masters and PhD when I retire, which might not be for 20 years 😂 As long as you don’t have any expectations at the end of it, you won’t be disappointed and will come out of better.

As for your practical issues, I’m not sure I can suggest anything. Is any support available from anywhere at all?

You can do lots of degrees part-time at our local Uni - would that be worth looking into? Failing that could you do an evening (or afternoon) class? Sorry if I'm being naive regarding how much time you have.

evening school is what i've done prior, or part time if its on days i can work around DS with some help from family.. but doing full time isn't an option, and on a quick skim, Art is the one subject that isn't offered via the colleges adult/evening classes.

It’s worth looking at how many teaching hours you’d need to attend each week. Although the course may be full time, some of it may be self directed. It’s unlikely to be 9-4 in college Monday to Friday. Also worth looking into part time options.

Could you look at getting direct payments to help pay for a PA for your son to give you some time. Is he in school/college at all?

OK, just thought it was worth looking into.

apologies if you have already looked into this.

What are the teaching hours? My son did 3 humanities a levels (though not art) and his actual contact time was only a few hours a day.

Don’t give up on the dream, it might not be possible now, but who knows in the future.

What is the qualification? Two years full time for an A-level equivalent seems rather a lot, kids in school get 3-4 A levels in that time. perhaps you could contact the college to enquire about part time options?
Also, what sort of care does your 18 year old need? As an adult, might he be able to access Local Authority day services for people with disabilities? Or if his disability does not meet that threshold, might a college course, part time job or voluntary role be an option for him?

I'm doing a GCSE level course, it's 40 contact hours over 20 weeks. Over 2 academic years, even with double the workload I can't see yours being any more than 4 hours a week. Definitely worth making enquiries.

Additionally, colleges are completely geared up for students who are carers, have a disability or are parents. You will benefit from reasonable adjustments for your disability (maybe remote learning?) and there could be funding available for parents.

Not to be obtuse, because what do I know about your life and your child, but just to gently challenge…:

I am 43 so?
and a carer - do you usually spend the hours the course are, with the person you care for? Can those hours be rejigged?

my 18yo needs support - do you physically need to be with him for that, available at the drop of a hat? This could be a great opportunity for him to get a bit of independence and learn to support himself a bit - and how ideal if you’re both on the same campus??

I could get funding - amazing!

I'm also a single mum, and disabled, and have no-one else to help support him while i do other things. - it sounds like you need to do this for yourself, you deserve to follow your passions just as much (more than?) anyone.

I talk myself out of opportunities too so just wanting to reframe some things in case you’re like me.

@ButterAsADip my DS needs pretty much full time supervision, while i do have some help, i mostly only have 'free' time on the couple of days he attends a specialist college.

We are looking into him maybe attending the same college this course is at, but it's with the gods of the SEN teams to work out if he can get the relevant qualifications, and if not, what else he can do there.. but that might end up making it harder juggling him, DD's college attendance AND my own.

I've fired the college an email to make enquiries to see if we can work around things, but i'm not hopeful, and i'm afraid, as has been the last 18 years, DS's needs come first.

It may be something i revisit in a few years if now isn't the right time.. perhaps when DD is 18 and able to be more self sufficient so then there is only myself and DS to think about logistically.

Open college of the arts is an online option that might interest you?, it’s like the arts version of open uni, I think it’s actually owned by open uni these days