60th Anniversary PRC brochure:Layout 1 14/10/2013 16:04 Page 38
2010 to present Sue Stanley, Peterborough Regional College Complementary Therapies student now running her own business, Bodyworks. In August 2012 I was made redundant. I had been a Chartered Surveyor for over 26 years and since having children had worked part-time. I knew the likelihood of me finding another part-time surveying position was probably non-existent and I didn’t want to stay at home all week so I quickly had a look at the PRC website to see what courses were on offer. When I had been at school I had always shown a great interest in sport and had originally wanted to be a Physiotherapist and help those with sports injuries. All those years ago, the opportunities to study were not as abundant as they are today and frankly my parents could not afford to send me to university. I had however, been lucky and found an apprenticeship, which had allowed me to qualify as a Surveyor. Now I felt, was my time to re-assess and maybe have a change of career. I saw the complementary therapies course and thought that this could be my gateway into becoming a Sports Massage Therapist. Joining the course was all a bit quick. I met with the Course Director on the Thursday and started the following Tuesday! I didn’t really have time to think about it, which was probably a good thing as studying full time, having two children and a home to look after – well if you’d ask me now I must have been blooming mad!
The great thing about the course was the range of people, not just in age but cultures, backgrounds and personalities. The lecturers were very professional, which was so different to when I had studied nearly 30 years ago when some teachers just didn’t bother turning up. I made some good friends and some of the younger students even called me Mum! Well I was older than their own Mums so I couldn’t really complain! The course has reignited my interest in massage and I have now undertaken an Infant Massage course, through the International Association of Infant Massage. I have set up my own business in Baston, Lincolnshire, carrying out Swedish massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and teaching infant massage. Once I have established my business further I plan to take a course in sports massage. I have a website now set up www.bodyworks.me.uk where my clients can book through. The quality of education that I received at Peterborough Regional College was excellent and I do not regret for one moment taking a year out to retrain.