Noah is originally from a mining town in South Yorkshire. He moved to Leeds at the age of 17 and has lived there since. 

Returning to HE as a mature student 

My journey back into education started in 2021. After working in offices for years, I woke up one day during the pandemic and decided I couldn’t do the monotonous 9-to-5 as an administrator forever.  

I started an Access to Higher Education (HE) course at the age of 27 so I could do what I love: art. I did a Bachelors in Concept Art, graduating with a first in 2025, and am currently doing a Masters in Creative Practice at University Centre Leeds.  

Storytelling is where my heart is, specifically character driven narratives that are commentaries or insights into lives of others, or entertaining thrillers that make you think. Illustration and writing together is where I want to pour my soul into my work. On the other hand, I’m really into academia – sociology, psychology, etymology, etcetera. I feel like learning, experiencing and feeling are the most important things in the world, because what else is there? 

I’d love to be an author of a novel or two, or to maybe write some personal essays. I want to create a lasting and impactful body of work, be it written or visual, and to support myself I’d enjoy being a teacher. 

Student Ambassador opportunities

For me, outreach projects are great as they give me short windows where I need to focus, with a promise of a hard finish at the end of the day. Structured yet varied environments have always felt safer and easier for me as a neurodivergent person, and I’m often motivated by novelty in new experiences. Volunteering on projects is without obligation, so I don’t feel pressured. It has new yet slightly familiar tasks that keep me interested, it has guidelines, so I know what I’m doing, and volunteering will likely benefit me in future. Essentially, I’m doing something I find fun enough without being forced to do it. 

I was given the opportunity to deliver a session with students from Ruth Gorse Academy. On the fly, I gave a lecture about diversity in concept art. I told the students that their voices are important, showed them examples of my own work, and how my own history makes the stories unique. Marginalised people, especially children, are ones whose stories need to be shared. When we learn about others or see the world from their viewpoint, we become more understanding and (hopefully) more empathetic. Not only do we need to empower others, we need to be able to provide them with the tools and environment to wield that power and to help them change things for the better. 

Supporting young people with decision-making

Objectively young people are the future. Teachers have a massive role in shaping the next generation alongside parents, peers, and culture. I’m highly invested in trying to give others what I didn’t fully receive. Although I had immense support from my mum, I had to figure out a lot of things on my own by looking for answers. If I didn’t have the thirst for knowledge like I do, I feel my life would be very different and probably for the worse. 

How are people meant to have fulfilling lives if they don’t know how the world works, how they themselves work, how to get along with others, or what they want, or how to get there? As such, I find it important to share with young people the importance of knowledge in understanding, not just learning. I champion critical thinking, curiosity, self-reflection, empathy, and enjoyment. I want others to be given these skills to add to their lives and push them in a good direction. This is a big reason why I wanted to get involved in volunteering. 

Being able to work with GHWY has given me chances to network, practice leading classes of different ages, opportunities to demonstrate my skills to others, and to add experience to my repertoire. I’m always learning too. 

It’s never too late to start doing something you like, and if you really put your whole self into it, you’ll be able to achieve. There are obstacles in everyone’s lives – like finances, support, health, the list goes on – but if you’re bold enough to ask for help, you’ll very likely get it. 

Ask for help and take every opportunity you can manage. With more experience comes more insight, and with that insight you cannot only continue to gain, but you’ll be able to guide others on how to do things.