Adult learners celebrate achievements
Lynn Cartwright, aged 49, from Leicester, who has changed her life through learning and is now back at work, received the East Midlands Learning Works Award – sponsored by the LSC
Lynn, who has learning difficulties, left school at 16 and got a job as a kitchen assistant in a factory canteen. When this closed down, she became a kitchen assistant in Woolworth’s café where she worked for 21 years. After leaving there, Lynn was unable to get another permanent job and decided to try to get some computer skills to enable her to search for work.
She has taken advantage of the UK Online journey to access information, advice and guidance through the project's Learning and Work Adviser – who helped Lynn arrange a course to upgrade her food and safety certificate. As a result, Lynn has recently started a temporary job as a kitchen assistant.
John Gerrard Kelly, aged 50, from Beeston in Nottingham, spent 20 years in and out of prison after leaving school with no qualifications, but has managed to turn his life around through learning. His dedication and commitment was recognised with a Regional Individual Award – sponsored by the European Social Fund (ESF).
John wasn't diagnosed with severe dyslexia until four years ago. Thanks to the opportunity to learn again during his rehabilitation, he has turned his life around and is working towards becoming a fully-qualified counsellor with support from The Dyslexia Centre.
He said, "I had no hope, was on a road to nowhere, a slave to drink and drugs". At 46, he was offered the chance to go to college through his rehab centre, where his tutor thought he may be dyslexic.
John said, "I can now hold my head high and give back to others. Learning gives me scope and freedom, a better chance of employment. It gives me choices."
Using his recently acquired knowledge John is now working as a volunteer counsellor, at ADEPT (Alcohol, Drugs, Education Programme and Training) with alcoholics and addicts and has also completed 12 months of voluntary counselling work at The Priory Clinic.
A South Nottingham College student was presented an Outstanding Regional Individual Award by HRH Princess Royal in London as part of Adult Learners’ Week on Friday 15 May 2009.
Tom Birch, aged 20, beat all odds of surviving an accident during his time as a Marine in Afghanistan and after learning to walk and talk again, is now a qualified gym instructor.
Tom suffered a severe head injury in an accident in his jeep in November 2006 and his chance of survival was touch and go. He was transferred, first, to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan and then his parents were flown out to Oman to the specialist Brain Injury Unit. Eventually they flew back together to Birmingham Hospital at below 10,000 ft because of how higher air pressure may have affected his injury.
Unsure about whether he could cope with the workload of the Level 2 Gym Instructor course at South Nottingham College, Tom worried that his work wasn't good enough, but he passed with flying colours. He is now taking his Level 3 award.
Award winners at the ceremony with host Melvyn Prior (right), a BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter.