DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T… ...start my career in my 50s

After raising her four children, Tina Frampton finally found her dream job

- ANNA MATHESON

Ruffling the fur on the head of a gorgeous cocker spaniel, I stand back to survey my work. ‘Good boy! You’re all done,’ I smile. It’s my first week as a full-time, trained dog groomer after launching my own business. At the age of 51, I’d finally found my own career path. Sometimes, it just takes time to work out what you really want.

As a teen, I imagined I’d find myself a high-flying job in London, and all the trappings of city life that came with it – but then I fell pregnant at 17. My ex and I got married just before my 18th birthday, and Holly arrived shortly after, in 1978. Still, I loved staying at home with my baby, and it wasn’t long before our family expanded. Lorna came along in 1982, Emily in 1984, and Sam in 1989. Luckily, my husband had a well-paid job to provide for us, but, once the kids started school, I picked up Christmas shifts at Argo's and Thorntons for extra cash. I enjoyed it, but I could never have juggled full-time roles with childcare.