Martin Smith at the UCW Awards

Martin’s Path: Weston College Award Winner Excels at UCW


17/06/2024

Martin is our Counselling Student of the Year. Martin made the admirable decision to pursue education at the age of 30. Driven by a desire to gain skills for his career in addiction services, Martin embarked on the Counselling Skills programme at Weston College before going on to study a BSc in Counselling at University Centre Weston

Martin displayed a strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to his college course. “Having not really finished school, everything was new to me. I had a great deal of support from the College and tutors as well as my peers in the group. I found the course suited my learning style very well with lots of group discussions and very understanding tutors who took the time to explain the theory.” Looking back, Martin takes pride in meeting assignment deadlines, a testament to his growing discipline. This support and 1-1 interaction with tutors have carried on into Martin’s UCW journey.  

From the outset, Martin’s transformation has been remarkable. His commitment to counselling, has shaped him into a role model for others. Working as a volunteer support worker in Sefton, Martin actively supports his peers in navigating college and personal challenges. His commitment to supporting others on their recovery journey is commendable, demonstrating his desire to make a positive impact. While at UCW, Martin’s willingness to return to talk to future Level 2 and Level 3 groups about his experience is due to his belief that change is possible with the right support.  

Martin’s decision to move on to study Counselling at University Centre Weston shows the incredible progress he has made in a short time. Martin’s story inspires others to pursue education and personal growth. His achievements, dedication, and resilience make him a deserving recipient of the Counselling Student of the Year award. 

To find out more about Martin’s course click here, to find out more about counselling and healthcare at UCW click here!