Back to education after 30 yrs but PIP?

SlimmingSusan

Am starting a psychology degree in 2 weeks (including freshers week), and am really unsure what I should be doing in terms of support, if any.

My gut instinct is to just act normal and be a coper as ever, as hate fuss.

I am under mental health services as had a breakdown, a year ago this weekend as it happens. Divorce, caring for parents, domestic abuse, all took their toll.

My support worker has done 2 degrees himself, and went to the all boy's grammar school next to my all girl's grammar school, and is on the same wavelength.

I am in the ESA support group, after dad passed away in May, and in a bit of a state still. I applied for the course back in January.

Support worker came to my house and rang dwp, with me consenting, and has got me to apply for PIP. The forms arrived today.

I am trying to deny my issues, just want to be normal, and feel overwhelmed.

If I do not apply for PIP, or don't get it, but have to also come off ESA, then I have meltdown again on the course, then what buffers do I have?

I still have a lot of family stress around me, which never goes away, as an only child with a disabled mother who causes allsorts of grief.

I never know what the next phonecall is going to bring, the family is in a mess.

I want my life back for me, and am reluctant to admit weakness.

Hope this comes across right.

Have spoken to uni disability services, but it all seems geared to physical disability/learning disability, rather than mental health. I can crash in a day for no reason. My life is hell as have not been diagnosed with anything but depression and anxiety.

The uni form is not relevant, seems too much as does thePIP one.

Should I just leave it, try to act normal, and hope for the best?

nimbo

OK - you obviously have a lot going on in your life.

A degree can be really hard, but it can also be a good distraction, and rewarding.

Do you think that you will be able to cope, and manage on the course? Will you still be able to access support from your current support networks - including the support worker?

I'd apply for PIP (I have no full understanding of what it is, but for the sake of an application, you may get it, all hassle free, and therefore have the extra cash to pay for maybe some kind of PA type support????? )

You say your life is hell, because not been diagnosed with anything but depression, and anxiety - that sounds alto to cope with already...

Try to stay positive, but also evaluate what you think the course will be able to give you, and how much effort you will be able to put in....

925dancer

I am in something of a similar position, I started uni last year, had a total meltdown and am still in the midst of my breakdown but hoping to go back in October.

I am awaiting my PIP decision, not heard anything from ATOS yet but if successful it passports you to a lot of additional financial support for a start which is massively helpful. Working part-time alongside an intensive course like I do was no doubt a contributing factor to my breakdown.

You should apply for the special support grant with student finance, this will give you a bit more financial support in the way of student loans and grants than a student without disabilities. Being on ESA qualifies you for this.

Also apply for DSA (Disabled Student Allowance), this will give you access to a whole host of things such as laptops for days you can't go to uni and need to work from home. Special provisions if needed for exams (separate room or extra time for example), potentially someone to make sure you get and go to lectures.

If your claim for PIP is successful it will allow you to claim housing benefit. The only income taken into account for your claim will be the student loan, nothing disability related, leaving that income to pick up the living costs and support slack.

Finally, your uni should have access to counsellors or be able to point you in the direction of some. My school is tiny as it's a drama conservatoire (I'm doing costume construction!) and we have someone we can see for help so your uni will have someone I'm sure, it's just a case of finding out who it is.

So as you see, there's lots of support out there and it's all something I'll be taking advantage of. Doing my degree is certainly therapeutic but as my false start proved, I need support in order to make a success of it.

Lastly, good luck!

925dancer

Oh, one more thing. There is an Access to Learning fund that you can apply to should you fall into hardship, this is administered by the university.

Please don't try to go it alone, take the support that is there, it will give you a much better chance of completing your degree and well. I used to be a coper who didn't like fuss too and I am coming to realise I don't have to be, there is help and I should take it.

SlimmingSusan

Thanks for replies, just had complete sobbing 111 meltdown again after speaking to mother. Why has my emotional resistance become so low? Not sure can do this

Voyager2002

Well done on the uni place!

There is lots of support out there: take everything that is offered and make full use of your support networks. And of course take up the place if that is what you want: it provides a way of moving on with your life and getting out of the bad situation where you are now.

SlimmingSusan

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. I start my degree tomorrow

925 Dancer, especially thank you. Your post made me realise that I had the criteria to apply for the special support grant. When I originally applied for student finance I was receiving carers allowance and income support, and, as I had an unconditional offer of the course in February, then the finance approved in April, didn't think much about it, as had maximum grants due to income.

Was on ESA from about March, then Dad died in May, and was put into ESA support group in June.

My mind has been all over the place. When I looked at the special support grant, I realised that it is a criteria to apply if on income based ESA with a disability element, so have now done that.

I have massive support on other threads and sub forums as well, and want to thank everyone, especially around the time dad died, and the compliance visit.

I hope people who helped see this post, or should I copy and paste on each thread?

Anyway, having my own freshers night alone, with a bottle of wine, how I wish I was 18 again, not going to be able to do a 30 year delay again Making up for lost time.

~Chameleon~

Did you apply for DSA too? This will pay for a mentor at university which can be invaluable and is somebody totally independent to talk to and offer support with your studies.

SlimmingSusan

Yes have applied for DSA- a mentor? have already got a mentor as part of peer mentoring, not sure I could cope with 2

SlimmingSusan

really not good at smilies, just bear with me:o

SlimmingSusan

should have said, chameleon, as part of peer mentoring at university.