A woman who was homeless by the age of eight, sent abroad into an arranged marriage at twelve, and survived years of domestic abuse is preparing to begin a PhD after rebuilding her life through education and launching a successful care business.
Constancia Da Silva, who graduated as one of the first Health and Social Care students at Global Banking School (GBS) Manchester, is now a director of a homecare company, has completed a master’s degree in public health, and is about to begin doctoral research into perinatal mental health among Black African women in the UK.
Born in Angola, Constancia lost her mother during childbirth when she was just eight years old. The death left eleven children without their mother and plunged the family into poverty. She and her younger siblings were forced from their home, sleeping on concrete floors and searching through rubbish bins for food.
At the age of twelve, she was sent to Germany to marry a man much older than her in exchange for money to help raise her younger brothers and sisters. She later escaped a second abusive marriage characterised by coercive control and violence.
After moving to Manchester 27 years ago and enrolling at GBS in 2019, Constancia began rebuilding her life. She became a class representative, student ambassador and peer mentor, roles she took on so other students would feel the same encouragement she had received from her time on campus. The confidence she gained at GBS gave her the courage to leave her abusive marriage and rebuild her life.
Constancia said: “I was constantly told that I would only ever be a carer and that I should stop dreaming. When I came to the UK, I did not immediately see it as an opportunity. I arrived carrying fear, exhaustion and years of believing that I wasn’t capable of achieving anything.”
She added: “When I arrived at GBS, I arrived without believing in myself. GBS believed in me first. My lecturers saw potential that I could not yet see. They encouraged me to ask questions, contribute in class, and believed that my experiences had value.”
Constancia’s achievements include being recognised as a Rising Star at the 2025 Women of Influence dinner following a nomination by Baroness Sandip Verma, joining GBS Industry Advisory Board, and designing a new six-week placement programme for Health and Social Care students after identifying gaps in traditional work placements.
Following graduation from GBS, Constancia completed an MSc in Global Public Health and Leadership at Oxford Brookes University before becoming Director of Support Homecare Limited, where she now combines leadership with compassionate care, safeguarding and community support.
Constancia said: “My mother died during childbirth because she did not receive the care she needed. Her death shaped my childhood and continues to shape my purpose. I hope my research will contribute to improving understanding, support and equity for women whose voices are too often overlooked.”
She added: “Where you begin does not have to determine where you finish. Sometimes one opportunity is all a person needs. The rest is courage.”
Reflecting on GBS’s recent graduation ceremonies, Constancia said they had reminded her of her own graduation and the journey that led her there.
She added: “Graduating was one of the proudest moments of my life. It wasn’t just about receiving a qualification – it represented everything I had overcome and everything I believed was still possible. I hope this year’s graduates feel proud of how far they have come and excited about what lies ahead.”
James Kennedy, CEO at Global Banking School, said: “Constancia’s story is an inspiring example of resilience and determination.
From surviving extraordinary personal challenges to becoming a business director, master’s graduate and future PhD researcher, she demonstrates the transformative impact education can have.”
“While every student’s journey is unique, the support Constancia describes reflects the experience of many GBS students. That is reflected in this year’s National Student Survey, where GBS achieved an overall satisfaction score of 92%. We are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved and the difference she is now making for others.”