From prisoner to pupil

Scott Richards has seen the bottom, but with the Foundation Studies program he’s climbing his way back up.

After a twenty year battle with addiction and substance abuse, 44-year-old Scott Richards is on the other side of divorce, rehab centres and prison.

Scott knew that turning things around wasn’t something he could do alone, so he enrolled in an active 12-step sobriety program. He started building connections with others in the community.

As he began to rebuild his life, Scott wanted to return to study. But after entering through the SATAC Adult Entry Exam, he found himself floundering and abandoned his course because he was lacking fundamental study skills. That’s when he discovered the Foundation Studies program—a program built upon alternative pathways, carefully designed for people to adjust their journey and find a pathway to the career they want. Scott seized the opportunity to develop these skills before enrolling in a social work degree at Flinders University.

Scott Richards - Flinders Foundation Studies student

"I’m so grateful for Flinders Uni's Foundation Studies program. The support I received from the student access team from the very beginning of my recovery journey has been incredible. It really helped to get me through," says Scott.

Proud of his study achievements at Flinders, Scott is now driven to take what he has learned and add value back into society. He plans to help people who are confronted by the kind of challenges that he himself has overcome.

"I would like my career to take me to a position working with ex-prisoners in the drug diversion court. With my social work degree, I now have the skills to support participants through the justice system and make a real difference to people’s lives."

Find out more about alternative study pathways at Flinders University.

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