Now Rob has self-belief and confidence

AFTER a turbulent upbringing, dedicated Edge Hill Fastrack graduate Rob Cumine has turned his life around and hopes to help others who suffer the way he did.

Rob, 38, from Wirral, didn’t have the greatest start life, but the course has given him the confidence and belief that he can succeed and help make a difference to other people’s lives.

“My birth mother abused me and I was placed in care,” said Rob, who at eight became his adoptive mother’s sole carer.

He later spent time in prison and then struggled to find work, developing an anxiety and panic disorder due to depression.

Rob was studying psychology at Wirral Metropolitan College on an access course when he found out about Fastrack.

After attending an open evening, he met Linda McIver from the university’s psychology department who offered him a place straight away.

Rob said: “Intellectually I never struggled, but I lacked belief in myself.

“However now, with the support the tutors at Edge Hill have given me and my determination to prove to myself what I can do, I feel inspired to achieve my goals.

“I’m here for the long run, my goal is a first class honours degree, then a Masters and finally a PhD.”

For more about Edge Hill’s Fastrack programme visit: www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/ story/fastrack-to-a-brightfuture/