WHEN Sally-Ann Winter collected her degree her father wasn't just there to cheer her on - he was getting his own degree as well!

And the pair is proud to prove that if you are determined, nothing needs to stand in your way of getting an education.

Sally-Ann, of Southampton, has managed mental health issues to achieve her BSc, while her father has overcome expectations about age to achieve his degree.

Sally-Ann, who has bipolar and obsessive compulsive personality disorder, which she is keen to stress is not the same as OCD, had been signed off work for six years when she decided to start studying with the Open University in 2010.

She knew that she couldn't commit to going to classes regularly as she sometimes finds it difficult to be around people, so distance learning was perfect for her.

"I was worried that I would go brain dead, so I decided to study a module and the next I knew I was doing a degree!" says the 47-year-old.

Sally-Ann found that her while her mental health issues have required her to adapt her education, they have also been an advantage in some ways.

"The OCPD stood me in good stead as I'm very pernickety with details and it helped keep me focused."

Sally-Ann inspired her father, now 72, to study with the Open University as well.

"I decided to study for a degree with the Open University initially for something to do," says Steve Winter, a retired company director in the building industry.

"On the wrong side of retiring age and living alone, the waking hours can be long and sometimes tedious.

"I found that I could study for what is called an Open Degree which meant I could study a variety of selected subjects thereby not specialising in a particular subject. I also thought that my studying may help keep my brain active and hopefully slow any process that might result in dementia etc. Furthermore, at my age and on limited income, I could study free of any charges.

"By choosing an Open Degree I could study subjects that I was interested in, such as history, creative writing and mathematics.

"Having an interest in all my chosen subjects meant the returning to education was not too difficult."

Sally-Ann and Steve attended a ceremony at Exeter Cathedral to collect their degrees, and she couldn't be prouder of both of them.

"It was a really lovely day for us," she says.

"It felt really special having Dad there and I am so proud of him. I'm more chuffed for him than for me!"

Steve adds: "It was a long day, but the self satisfaction and the pride of attending the ceremony with my daughter made it all well worthwhile."

Sally hopes to go on to study for a PhD, while Steve is studying an additional module which will enhance his degree with 'honours'.

"I love to learn," says Sally-Ann.

"It keeps your brain active and keeps you young.

"And if I can do it, with my mental health issues, other people can do it too."