Single mom shares inspiring story of her higher education journey

By Ed Cullinane via SWNS

A single mom has won a special award for her university degree and volunteer work while raising two children.

Mature student Charlotte Harman, 39, was awarded an Outstanding PLUS Award for her achievements at the University of Bristol in England.

She hopes to prove to her sons Marcello, 7, and Emilio, 9, that they can always 'make a new path' in life.

The annual Outstanding PLUS Award is given to just eight high achievers at the university.

The single mom-of-two had previously been a singer and worked at a law firm before a divorce left her looking for a change.

During her Archaeology and Anthropology degree, she volunteered at Bristol Museum and helped a charity that uses archaeology to support injured veterans.

She also inspired children and young adults with archaeology outreach lessons and helped catalog the university’s archaeological flora and fauna collection.

Charlotte said: "Getting the award was an amazing feeling - people having faith in me has really helped improve how I see myself.

“Coming to university was a massive change, but it’s shown me that I’m a lot stronger than I thought.

“I didn’t want to get up each day, there was nothing giving me that spark anymore.

“As a single parent, I want to show my children it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and to succeed, and that it doesn't matter how old you are or what you've already done in life.

“There have been lots of times when I felt I couldn’t do it, But the university has been really supportive."

"Things like their mental health support have helped me get sorted, move forward and be the person I think I can be. That’s been invaluable.

"You can always change courses and make a new path for yourself.”

To gain the qualifications needed for university, Charlotte studied for an Access to Higher Education Diploma at City of Bristol College.

Charlotte was supported by Bristol Scholars, a scheme that helps talented locals access the university and provides bursaries, mentoring and support with mental and physical health once there.

Charlotte now says she hopes to study for a doctorate before turning 45.

For her dissertation, Charlotte analyzed charred botanical remains, including wheat and oats, from The Anarchy period (1138AD to 1153) that revealed fascinating data on medieval diet and agricultural practices.

Amber Pinckney, Bristol PLUS Award Manager, said: “Charlotte’s university journey is really inspiring.

“That she found time to help so many others while also raising two children and acing her degree makes her a very worthy recipient of our Outstanding PLUS Award.”