For most students, graduation marks the end of a journey. For 25-year-old Karen Armitage from Neath, it’s the beginning of something far bigger — a life built not only on academic achievement, but on extraordinary compassion, resilience and quiet advocacy.
Last week, Karen graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Egyptology and Ancient History. But behind the cap and gown is a story of a young woman who spent much of her childhood supporting three generations of her family, while navigating undiagnosed dyslexia and personal health struggles.
Karen’s caregiving journey began when she was just nine, stepping in to support siblings while her parents faced ongoing mental health challenges. By her teens, she had taken on a near full-time role at home, including caring for her grandparents and helping her younger siblings through their autism diagnoses.
“By 15, I realised I was in charge of my household,” she said. “And I’ve really been in that role ever since.”
At school, academic challenges began to mount — exacerbated by a severe bout of glandular fever and the ongoing effects of what would later be diagnosed as dyslexia. Her diagnosis didn’t come until 2016, and Karen describes it as “the first time I felt truly seen.”
Despite setbacks, a seed of curiosity remained — especially for history. That spark was reignited during the COVID-19 lockdown, when Karen found the space to re-evaluate her future. She enrolled at Swansea University, where she’d previously volunteered at the Egypt Centre, and began to pursue her academic dream in earnest.
University life brought new purpose. Karen became a vocal advocate for inclusion, serving as a subject and school rep and helping to build support networks for fellow student carers. Her lived experience, she says, shaped everything.
“My brain naturally looks for ways to reduce stress for people who are often overlooked,” Karen said. “Everything I do is shaped by my role as a carer and by my siblings’ neurodivergence.”
She now plans to pursue a master’s degree in public history and heritage, alongside her work as a Part-Time Officer at the Students’ Union — a role through which she hopes to strengthen access, visibility, and belonging for students from all walks of life.
Karen also shares credit with those who’ve grown alongside her. “Mum and I are more of a team now,” she said. “And I’m so proud of her for stepping up while I’m at university.”
“Being the first in my direct family to graduate is something I’m deeply proud of. But the best part is seeing the opportunities my siblings now have. While I missed out on a lot in childhood, I’m so grateful to see them live theirs fully.”
