A New Beginning: Anne’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

In May 2024, Anne faced an unexpected challenge: being made redundant from her position with the Healthwatch Cornwall team.

At the age of 65, she wasn’t quite ready to retire and instead sought a new path forward. That’s when she turned to the People Hub for support.

During their initial conversation, the People Hub team learned about Anne’s aspiration to change careers and pursue a new passion for finance. With a background in administration and business support, Anne decided to retrain for an AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, which aligned perfectly with her interests and goals.

The People Hub crafted a tailored plan to help her succeed, enrolling her in a pre-assessment course for AAT2. After successfully completing that, Anne embarked on her full AAT2 course, which she could do remotely with the support of a tutor. The People Hub even provided her with a laptop, ensuring she had the tools necessary for success.

Anne thrived in her coursework, achieving impressive scores of over 80% in all modules and completing her qualification by August. This accomplishment opened doors for her, leading to a Senior Administrator position with Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) — a role that she wouldn’t have been considered for without her new qualification.

While applying for finance roles across Cornwall, Anne also took on a part-time position as a Finance Officer with Furniss of Cornwall. Her determination didn’t stop there; she plans to pursue her AAT3 qualification next year, setting her on a path toward her dream of becoming a self-employed bookkeeper.

Reflecting on her journey, Anne shared her thoughts: “Having been unexpectedly made redundant three months before reaching state pension age, I knew I didn’t want to stop working. Changing my career focus to finance, an area where I had some experience but no formal qualifications, felt right. The support from the People Hub enabled me to enrol in the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, and I quickly found myself ready for my first exam.”

“I have truly enjoyed the course. The theory complemented my experience, and I appreciated being able to work at my own pace, with valuable feedback from my tutor, Pete. Watching the Kick Off video further boosted my confidence and prepared me for future self-employment.”

Anne’s journey exemplifies the idea that it’s never too late to learn and grow. She emphasised, “Finding a new career direction at 65 isn’t easy, but thanks to the People Hub and Accountancy Learning, I’ve proved that lifelong learning is always possible. I can now look forward to a flexible working life that suits me, without solely relying on my pension.”

Anne’s story is a powerful testament to the potential for new beginnings, showing how the right support can lead to transformative opportunities.