“Newbattle made my heart change, made my soul change, made everything inside me light up.”
Suzanne, 35, has faced many challenges in her life. Growing up in the care system, becoming a mum aged 14, managing dyslexia, ADHD, and a physical disability meant education was never easy. But with the support of Newbattle Abbey College (NAC) and by using Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), Suzanne found her path.
Suzanne’s journey
Suzanne had previously tried to enrol in an SCQF level 7 HNC Working in Communities course, but lacked the necessary qualifications. She also explored youth work, but quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit.
It wasn’t until she reached out to the Hub for Success, an organisation dedicated to supporting care-experienced individuals in higher education, that she was signposted to NAC.
She accepted a place on the SWAP Access to Higher Education course at SCQF level 6. This marked the beginning of Suzanne’s educational transformation.
Support for care-experienced students
At NAC, Suzanne found a strong community of care-experienced students.
She became a proud member of the Care Leavers group, where she found others with similar experiences.
She said: “I am a care leaver, and I am a proud care leaver. I am proud to tell the world where I came from.
“At the group, we all opened up and started speaking about it. Being in a supportive environment meant people were able to be honest.”
Overcoming challenges
Dyslexia had always been a barrier for Suzanne, but at NAC, she was given the help she needed. “Once I got the support, everything changed,” she shared.
Receiving the ADHD diagnosis played a key role in Suzanne’s success as it helped her better understand herself and approach learning with confidence.
Jessie Crawford, from the Hub, explained: “People come to Newbattle without any formal diagnoses, and Newbattle supported Suzanne to get an assessment done.
“This early intervention helped her get the necessary adjustments for university in a timely manner, ensuring a smooth transition.”
Next steps at SCQF level 10
Now, Suzanne is a first-year student at Edinburgh University, studying for an MA in Learning in Communities at SCQF level 10.
Her journey through the SCQF shows how the framework can provide a clear path for learners.
For Suzanne, Newbattle Abbey College has been more than just a stepping stone in her education. It has been a life-changing experience. “I wouldn’t have been able to get to university if it wasn’t for Newbattle. The environment is life-changing and incredible,” she explained.
Suzanne feels equipped to face the challenges ahead, thanks to the skills and support she gained at NAC. “I’ve learned skills to take forward – I can now deal with the challenges that I’m facing at uni.”
‘Everyone can achieve’
For Suzanne, returning to education wasn’t just about overcoming academic challenges. It was about proving to herself and society that care-experienced people can succeed.
She said: “I want to prove to society that everybody can achieve, no matter your background. It doesn’t matter what age you are.
“I want to help other young people. That’s why this case study is important to me. I want to tell the world that if you get the right support, like I did at Newbattle, then care experience shouldn’t be a barrier to anybody.”
What is the SCQF?
The SCQF is the qualifications framework for Scotland. You can use it to compare and understand our country’s wide range of qualifications. If you’re unsure what SCQF level you’re working or studying at, try our Know your SCQF Level tool.
Useful links
- The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) supports access to higher education for adult learners. The courses are specifically developed for adults who have no or few qualifications and who have been out of education for some time. SWAP access programmes at SCQF level 6 run at colleges across Scotland and are a proven route into hundreds of degree courses at partner universities. Explore what’s available with SWAP.
- Find out more about the courses offered at Newbattle Abbey College.
- The HUB for SUCCESS works alongside people with care experience to get in, stay in and return to college and university.
“I never wanted to go to college. I really didn’t like school, so I didn’t want to do anything like that again.”
For many young people, further education can feel out of reach – especially if school wasn’t a positive experience.
Low confidence, limited life skills, and uncertainty about future careers often create barriers that seem impossible to overcome.
But, thanks to a groundbreaking programme by Newbattle Abbey College (NAC) and Mayfield and Easthouses Youth 2000 Project (Y2K), young people in Midlothian are discovering new pathways into education, training, and employment – many for the first time.
Bridging the gap: From youth work to college
The 12-week programme, called Prep for Next Steps, funded by Midlothian Council and the Scottish Funding Council, is designed for young people aged 16-21 who have left school without a clear next step.
Many participants lacked confidence in their abilities, felt disconnected from education, and never imagined themselves in a college environment.
This initiative changed that by offering a flexible, supportive approach, allowing learners to develop practical life skills while earning SCQF-recognised qualifications that could open doors to higher education, training, and employment.
The two-stage process made the transition into learning accessible and non-intimidating:
✅ Stage 1 – Life Skills at Y2K: Participants gained confidence through practical workshops on budgeting, cooking, CV writing, and interview preparation. The youth work setting helped them develop trust and motivation.
✅ Stage 2 – A qualification at NAC: With ongoing support from Y2K, learners transitioned to NAC, working towards an Adult Achievement Award at an SCQF level suited to them (SCQF Levels 2-6).
By combining youth work support with structured education, the programme introduced college as a safe, achievable, and rewarding experience.
A learner’s journey in Prep for Next Steps
One participant described their unexpected transformation:
“When I started the Prep for Next Steps group, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I liked that it wasn’t about forcing us to do something we didn’t want to do – it was more about helping us figure out our own goals. I am so much more confident now and go to college at Newbattle Abbey. If I hadn’t had the chance to experience college first with Y2K and Denise (NAC’s lecturer in Adult Learning), I wouldn’t have applied for the course I’m on now.”
For this young person, earning a qualification wasn’t just about education – it was about building self-belief, resilience and motivation.
SCQF pathways: Real success stories
The programme’s impact is life-changing:
📌 75% of participants progressed to NAC’s Preparation for Learning and Work course
📌 Some have since advanced to SCQF Level 6 NC Social Sciences – a huge achievement for those previously disengaged from learning
📌 Participants report improved mental health, diet, better sleep, and stronger social connections
One learner summed it up perfectly:
“It wasn’t just about college though; it was about helping us to become happier and more positive too.”
Why Prep for Next Steps works: A collaborative approach
The success of the programme is rooted in the strong partnership between Y2K and NAC.
By breaking down barriers and prioritising relationship-based learning, they have created a new way to engage young people who never thought education was for them.
Denise McNulty, NAC lecturer in Adult Learning, explained: “Y2K nurtured a deep trust with the young people on the course through their knowledge of the community.
“This trust allowed them to offer tailored support, which has been invaluable – not just for me as a lecturer but, more importantly, for the success of each learner.”
Lynsey Ritchie, Project Manager at Y2K, added: “Working in partnership with Newbattle Abbey College has given young people a distinctive chance to enhance their skills, build confidence, and gain experience of learning in college.
“We have observed the positive effects on participants, who have not only achieved recognised awards but also developed vital life skills.
“Our holistic, person-centred approach has resulted in a sense of comfort and empowerment, enabling young people to recognise their own potential and identify their own personal goals.”
Rather than forcing learners into rigid systems, this person-centred approach has helped young people take control of their future and education.
Expanding opportunities: What’s next?
Due to Prep for Next Step’s success, NAC and Y2K are scaling up their efforts to support even more young people. The next phase will offer:
🚀 Three 12-week programmes per year, giving more learners access to qualifications that are on the SCQF
🎓 Opportunities for progression into further education, apprenticeships, and employment
💡 A flexible, supportive approach to suit individual learner needs
The goal? To transform how disengaged young people see education, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to meaningful qualifications and career opportunities.
For young people who once felt lost, this programme proves that with the right support, education is for everyone.
Useful links
For more information about NAC’s Adult Achievement Awards, visit their website.
For more information about Y2K, visit their website.
