A CORSHAM woman who made the heartbreaking decision to hand herself and two younger brothers into care says it is the best thing she did.

Without being in the care system Jemma Sherman from Barn Piece, Box, says she would not be studying for a degree and wants to thank her foster mum Jenny Morland, 57, for all her support.

At the age of 14 Miss Sherman was living in Melksham and had the responsibility of looking after her brothers Tom, who was seven, and Dan, who was 12, after her parents split up, as well as juggling her own education at The Corsham School.

One night she found herself with no other choice than to approach social services for their help, “I had to give them up but it killed me,” she said: “Looking after them was stressful but I was only a child myself, even though I didn’t like to admit it.”

Now aged 23, she has praised the care system for listening to her and helping her achieve her goals. Last month she was invited to an award ceremony which was organised by Aspire House and Wiltshire Council for people who have been in care and have made exceptional achievements.

The mum of Jack, four, and 18-month-old Elsie took Mrs Morland, who she credits as the main driving force in encouraging her to continue her studies.

Miss Sherman is hoping to go into teaching and is in her final year of doing a foundation degree in early years and childhood studies at The University of Bath, run at Trowbridge College.

She also wants to inspire other children who have been or are in care, she added: “I would love to own my own house and foster; to be able to give children the same as what I had.”

Although Miss Sherman no longer lives with Mrs Morland in Trowbridge, she says she still supports her as a mother and grandmother, and was there for her when brother Dan died aged 17 four years ago in a quad bike accident.

“She’s just an inspiration herself and she’s achieved a lot on her own. She treated me like her own and she just such a powerful person,” she said.

The next plan for Miss Sherman is to start her full degree in September.

She said: “Who knows what the future holds but at the moment I’m grabbing every opportunity I can to further my career and give my children the best for the future.”