A family affair at the college
Their special honour on same day
Sarah Jane McDonald It was a family celebration to remember for this grandmother and grandson as they graduated from Ayrshire College on the same day.
Connor Hudspith, 21, graduated in HND Sound Production and was joined by his grandmother, Susan Hudspith, 60, who graduated with an HNC in Counselling.
The clever pair were joined by Susan’s daughter - Connor’s mum Claire - and her fiance, Scott Smith, to attend the ceremony at Ayr Town Hall last week.
Retired nurse, Susan, who lives in Dalrymple decided to take up the course last year after becoming inspired through her voluntary efforts to help others and enjoyed sharing the day with her only grandchild,
She told the Post: “After working for 38 years as a nurse, I retired four years ago but I felt like I still had something to give, I began working as a caseworker supporting people on a voluntary basis for charities and was volunteering at Ayr Sheriff Court as a witness volunteer.
“Although I’m 60, I believe it is never too late to keep on learning and now hope to open up my own private practice to support people.
“I am exceptionally proud of Connor and everything that he has achieved from the day he started in primary school until now, it still feels like yesterday, it was wonderful to share the day with him.”
Connor, who lives in Barassie, is now studying for a BA in Commercial Sound Production at the University of the West of Scotland and works as a freelance sound engineer in and around Ayrshire.
On the proud day, he added: “It was quite an emotional day, when I was in school I had phonetic difficulties with reading and maths so I never thought I’d be standing with my scroll graduating from college- never mind alongside my gran. What a star she is, it is totally inspirational to see her learning and going on to achieve her goals.”
Susan added:“Thanks go to the inclusive learning team at the college who helped me achieve my qualification, I have an eye condition and they kindly helped proof read my work and put support in place so I was able to complete my HNC.
“Thanks also go to my tutors, Brian and Joe and my family who have supported me in continuing higher education.”