Cara Baker

I was a single mother to one child working with young adults who have profound mental health difficulties.

It was the location. I was able to continue to work and be a mum whilst giving myself better chances at a well-paid career.  

I always found it really friendly. There was plenty going on around the campus to get involved in. I particularly enjoyed the Criminology society events. 

I loved the psychology unit. It has been one of the most helpful units in terms of my career. Being able to apply theories of behaviour to people has helped me facilitate positive working relationships.

I will forever be grateful to my lectures for the support given, I was able to work around being a mother, and working full time to complete a full-time degree. My dissertation mentor allowed me to bring my son to all my one-to-one sessions and she welcomed him. This made the whole process so much more achievable for me. Without out, I would have dropped out. 

Being at Wrexham gave me the qualifications I needed to apply to the Probation Service. Beyond that, I made real lifelong friends who I can collaborate with in my working careers and vice vera. 

I would recommend it for the sheer support that its staff put into their learners. It is this human touch that kept me on task which gave me the drive to complete my course.  

I had several opportunities to speak to and question various professionals which gave me a real positive insight into what life inside various criminal justice roles is like. 

Since graduating, I went on to complete a PGCE also at Wrexham University. I then joined the National Probation Service as a Trainee Probation Officer. I was posted to Colwyn Bay where I trained for 15 months undertaking a Level 5 qualification in Probation Studies as well as a second undergraduate in Community Justice.  

I left probation to take a post of the programme co-ordinator and lecturer for Public Services in Rhyl College. Here I am responsible for all public service learners, delivery, and compliance from level 1 to 3 together with a team of tutors. Here I can make a real difference in the lives of young people. Particularly with the group of young people who should be in year 11 but are not in school for various reasons.  

Qualifying as Probation Officer was a very proud moment for me.