An “inspirational” care leaver realizes his dream of becoming a doctor

A care leaver who sat her first GCSEs aged 35 has qualified as a doctor.

Becs Bradford left school at 15 with no qualifications but never lost her zeal to help others.

Now 41, Dr Bradford received a medical degree from the University of Bristol.

“When I was young, I was constantly told that I would be nothing, that I was stupid.

“I was tired of people telling me I couldn’t do things because I was a care leaver. I wanted to prove that people like me deserve good things, that they can get fulfilling, well-paid jobs.”

Dr Bradford’s family had moved from Coventry to France when her father fell down a ladder and was impaled on a branch, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

When he was just 12, the family lost their home and Dr. Bradford ended up in care.

But she knew something else was waiting for her, and when she realized she wanted to become a doctor, “everything fell into place.”

At the age of 35, she bought GCSE revision books and studied on her own to get her maths and science GCSEs. By winning a place on an access to medicine course, she would drive a six-hour round trip to lessons, all while working three jobs.

She accepted the course but was devastated when she was rejected by every university she applied to – until she received an offer from the University of Bristol.

Despite receiving financial support from the university, she taught gym classes seven days a week and worked 12-hour nursing shifts on weekends. She often woke up at 4am to study, always driven by her desire to help people.

“I had an inner message that this is what I was meant to do with my life,” she recalled.

“I want to be a role model for people like me. I want to show them that you are worthy and that it doesn’t matter where you come from, it can be done,” she said.

“People on the road will say it can’t be done, but you have to ignore them.

“It feels pretty surreal to graduate after all these years.

“It really feels like a dream come true. I am proud of myself for never giving up along the way and I hope my journey can inspire others to follow their hearts in the same way.

“No matter when you get there, never give up on yourself.”

Professor Tansy Jessop, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, said: “Becs has achieved so much and so often against the odds.

“Becs is not only inspirational, but her story shows the transformative power of education. Becs, your university is proud of you.”