A medical student who grew up in the care system is battling to fulfil her dream of becoming an NHS paediatrician by working at two jobs on top of her studies.
Diana Omokore, 23, was moved around foster homes from the age of nine and believes her difficult childhood will help her be better in her chosen job. But she admits the strain of the extra work, along with the lack of family support, is taking its toll, Derbyshire Live reports.
After completing a medical science degree at De Montfort University in Leicester, Diana is now in her first year of a four-year graduate entry medicine degree with New Vision University at its campus in Derby. Having chosen to study in Derby because of the "great" children's care provision at Royal Derby Hospital, she expects to stay at the hospital after she has finished her course.
But she has exhausted all student loans available to her to get to this point, and is now entirely self-funded. She works as a children's residential support worker and a tutor for children.
At this point in the degree course, and with living expenses increasing, Diana, who is originally from Essex, is struggling to devote sufficient time to study because of her work. She said: "It can be challenging as I have less time to study. There are times when I am at work and the thoughts of wanting to do a bit of revision for my exams pops into my head pretty often. It can be stressful."
Diana also had the challenges faced by many young people who have come through the care system to contend with. She said: "It is difficult being a student at university halls, who has come out of the care system and does not have a home to go back to, especially during the summer and Christmas holidays.
"Feeling unloved is always hard, but I remind myself that my past is unchangeable. The job I have undertaken and my previous role at Childline gave me an opportunity to help other children including children who did not have the best childhood."
To try to help with some of Diana's costs a fundraiser has been set up by one of her previous mentors, Becca Harriot, a retired Clinical Commissioning Group chief executive. Becca met Diana through a charity called One Million Mentors.
Becca said: "Getting through medical school is exceptionally hard, even with financial support from the state and your family. Diana has neither of these. I believe she deserves our support at this current stage of her journey.
"I have had the privilege to be Diana's mentor for the last two years. This fundraiser is intended to provide funding to pay for the tuition/clinical placement costs, which are £5,000 per term."
For more information about Diana's journey and the fundraiser started to try and alleviate some of the financial impact of her course, visit the fundraiser.
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