Two young women who studied at Middlesbrough College are set to transform people’s lives with their specialist healthcare skills.

Sydney Bradley and Olivia Hodgson have ambitions to forge careers in different areas of healthcare.

Thanks to hard work and the support of Middlesbrough College the duo has pipped other young hopefuls to top university places, starting in September.

Sydney Bradley has secured a conditional offer from Teesside University to study Paramedical Sciences – an exciting degree that prepares people for the demanding and vital role of pre-hospital care.

The 17-year-old, one of just 40 from 2,000 applicants to secure offers for the course, has ambitions to become a paramedic specialising in stroke and heart attack treatment.

She was inspired to follow this route having lost a number of family members to such conditions.
Sydney said: “This type of work is physically and mentally demanding. The training teaches you to deal with fast-moving, traumatic situations.

“It’s a really difficult job to do, but because I’ve lost people in my family, I’m determined to make a difference.

“I’ve been working for Medics UK – a private ambulance firm – covering marathons and similar events. It’s given me great experience, but the support of Clive at Middlesbrough College has really helped me get to get where I am now.”

Olivia Hodgson, from Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, is set to study Mental Health Nursing at the University of York in September.

The 17-year-old is poised to complete a BTEC in Health and Social Care at Middlesbrough College, and now has an offer to study on the four-year course, including Master’s qualification.

Having completed 100 hours of work experience at specialist dementia care home Evergreen Court, Olivia said her Middlesbrough College tutors supported her to earn the coveted offer from York.

She said: “I wouldn’t be where I am now without the help of the tutors. They helped me put together a personal statement which obviously impressed the University admissions team.”

Olivia has long-term ambitions to work in mental health care in prisons or secure institutions, having originally been inspired by a TV documentary.

She added: “I was also inspired because I knew someone who had mental health problems and I developed empathy for people like that, it pushed me to support people who feel down.”