When illness forced her to retire from the career she loved, 53-year-old Jennie Phillips was determined to do something creative - and signed up for a foundation course in art and design.

"Becoming a student again gave me a new lease of life," said Jennie, who lives in Devauden near Chepstow. "I was a primary school teacher until I was diagnosed with ME. When I lost the profession I loved I needed something to fill the gap."

Jennie's life changed when she saw an ad in the paper for the Open Day at Newport's University and went along to enquire about art courses.

"Doing the foundation course was fantastic. It helped me through my illness and brought me out of myself.

Jennie passed the course with a Distinction and was advised to go on to do a degree.

"As a mature student, I was apprehensive, and unsure if I was the right material for a degree course. But going on to do the fine art and contemporary media course has been great.

"It involves experimenting with all sorts of media and styles including photography, print-making, sculpture, painting, electronics and interactive media.

"I'm specialising in contemporary sculpture and the lecturers are now encouraging me to exhibit my work outside the university."

She has strong advice for anyone thinking of following in her footsteps and returning to education.

"Don't be afraid to give it a go. If you're in two minds about it, do it. Being older doesn't matter - the support is there, and I've found the younger students to be very inclusive.

"My illness has given me a new outlook on life. After being told that I couldn't go on being a teacher, coming to university has given me a new lease of life."