Mum of two preparing to graduate as paramedic after finally pursuing her lifelong ambition

I always like helping people and working with people and I've always had a caring side. It's always something that I've wanted to do, but just never thought I'd be able to do it.

I think during Covid it really hit home that if I was going to do it, I needed to do it now. I worked with adults that had learning difficulties for 12 years, so that really inspired me to pursue my dream and here I am.

I've got two children as well and they were getting older and I thought if I don't do it now, I don't think I'll ever do it because I'm getting older as well. I also just gave myself a kick and was like I need to do it now.

My children are really proud. They keep asking how long I've got left to go because I do say I've got uni work to do quite a lot at home. But they have really enjoyed the fact that they can say ‘my mum's training to be a paramedic’.

Gemma White

I like the variety of it. There's lots of different things and every incident you go to is different. I thought for me that's what I wanted to do.

The course has been challenging at times, but it has definitely helped me. The lecturing team have helped me to see that I can do it. I do struggle a little bit with my confidence, so I think I've had quite a lot of support here from my colleagues and from the lecturing team.

I feel that it's really helped me come out of my shell, as well as learning the skills that I need to go forward. A lot of times when you go to an incident, see it through and you know that you've genuinely helped that person, that's what we're doing it for.

It's been a long, hard road for me to get here, but I am so glad that I've done it and got here and anything's possible if you want it badly enough.

Gemma White