From self-doubt to success; Della's story

Returning to education at 63 felt daunting for Della McCready, but with determination and support from her Barnsley College assessor, she achieved her Level 4 qualification and gained a renewed belief in her ability to succeed.

After finding herself out of work, Della was referred to Watford Women’s Centre for support. She began volunteering at the centre which led to a part-time role as a Careers Adviser, supporting others seeking employment. A requirement of the role was to achieve a Level 4 Career Information and Advice qualification.

While the work-based course is delivered online, students are assigned an assessor who guides them through the modules, with regular meetings to provide support throughout their studies.

For Della, this personal support made a significant difference. Early in the course, she doubted her abilities and considered withdrawing but with encouragement from her assessor, Allyson Hardy, she began to find her feet.

“I have been through lots of ups and downs on this course, but Allyson really helped me pull through with her encouragement and positive vibes and actually made me believe in myself and what I am capable of.”

Allyson said: “As her assessor, I focused on building a trusting relationship and creating a safe space in which she could speak honestly about her worries.

“I broke the qualification requirements into manageable steps and adapted assessment methods and materials to give her more structure.  It was important to me that she recognise her progress and celebrate this as I knew she could do it.”

Although Della experienced moments of self-doubt, she persevered and gradually became more confident in her abilities.

“I struggled with some parts of the course but with ongoing support and patience from Allyson I have been able to get through these struggles. I have learnt how to overcome them, so on the whole it has been an enjoyable experience.”

Della successfully achieved her Level 4 qualification in August 2026. This represented far more than just an academic achievement: it reflected substantial growth in her confidence, resilience and belief in her own ability to succeed.

“I now believe in myself and feel proud of my achievement, and I feel like I would like to learn more in due course!”

Della’s achievement marks a new chapter, giving her the confidence to recognise her abilities and consider further learning in the future.

If you are interested in gaining a formal qualification in your current role or want to progress in your job, our professional development courses can take your career to the next level, with flexible, online and work-based training to suit your needs.