After leaving school at the age of 14 with no formal qualifications, Javier Griffiths-Payne returned to learning a decade later. Just two years on, he has secured a place to study medicine at the University of Bristol, proving that it is never too late to change the course of your life.

Inspired by his late grandmother, who dedicated 46 years of her life to nursing, Javier was determined to pursue a career in healthcare and build a future he could be proud of.

Attending an open day at Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) proved pivotal. “I really had my heart set on a career in medicine but, with no qualifications, it was very hard to find what I needed as a mature student in my situation,” he recalled.

“After the open day, I gained a clearer understanding of the goal I had set for myself by discussing the different pathways I could take.” He enrolled on a Level 2 Access to Further Study course alongside a GCSE in Biology with the Open University and has not looked back.

“It felt very welcoming to learn in an environment in which I was not alienated because of my lack of formal education, as this was one of my biggest worries about returning as a mature student,” said Javier.

He secured an A grade in Higher Mathematics and the highest achievable grades for Level 3 Access to Higher Education: Bioscience. The intensive, one-year course, which featured chemistry, biology and biochemistry, alongside modules in study skills and communication, helped him secure a place at the University of Bristol.

Throughout his studies, he provided care for his disabled grandfather as well as captaining Team Wales in competitive video gaming, during the Counter- Strike International Esports Federation (IESF) World Championship qualifiers.

Kathleen Weatherhead, Access to HE Course Tutor and Science teacher, said: “Javier is an exemplary learner. Over the past couple of years, he has demonstrated time and again the genuine enthusiasm of a mature learner enjoying the opportunity to study and to take advantage of every opportunity that prepares him for higher education.”

Javier is keen to encourage others to consider returning to learning. “It is never too late to start again,” he said “If someone had told my younger self that I would be studying medicine at university, I would have said they were joking! But here I am. I’ll never stop learning!”