Episode 1: Sue Jessett goes to uni at 68
Meet Sue Jesset, a powerhouse who learned to use her North London working-class background, neurodiversity and gut instinct to overcome those who underestimated her.
Follow her story through 1950s Camden, leaving school without qualifications and her success as a mature student studying social work. She had a thirst for knowledge and fought her way to uni in her 30s to qualify in social work. Her career included being a support worker in the first Women’s Aid refuge in Chiswick and advocating for at-risk children in Islington in the 1980s.
She reached burnout in the face of dwindling resources and retired. She recovered by exploring creativity and returned to university at 68 to study art. She is now an accomplished weaver and had her solo show this summer.
In this episode
Sue explained:
The impact of undiagnosed dyslexia on her education and sense of self
The feeling of sudden burnout and why she had to walk away from a profession she loved
Burnout wasn’t an ending but a beginning and how creativity helped discover new passions, meaning and joy
It is important to show vulnerability, feel the fear but do it anyway
You are never too old to need your big, brave pants. She needed them the day she went to register for university at age 68 to study art
Sue worried that younger students at uni would give her a wide berth because the age gap was too great. In fact, they bonded over their creativity and shared experience of learning new skills and meeting pressured deadlines. This was enough common ground for rich conversations and long-lasting friendships.
Connection through creativity
Sue and I belong to the irreverent Profanity Embroidery Group (PEG) - WI, but punk - where the members' ages range from 40s to 70s. We talked about the importance of learning from older women and how hard it can be to find those connections.
I have found so much wisdom within PEG, especially around letting go and investing time and effort in what makes you feel good rather than what you think you should be doing. I’ve burned out a few times. Not in one dramatic moment but in slow leaks as your body says no, long before your mind does. I take a lot of heart from her words and I hope you do too.
Music: Morning Span provided by Mobygratis #mobygratis