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ALW 2006 London Region Award Winners

SM Ali Alavi, age 30, London W9
Nominated by: Mark Krzanowski, MKUK Education. Tel: 07939 373 525. Email: markkski1@btinternet.com 

Unquenchable vitality and commitment to adult learning

“I came to the UK two and a half years ago as a refugee. I knew that I already had a BA [degree] from Iran in agricultural engineering, but thought that people here may not recognise it,” reflected Ali. “When I finally found my ESOL class…I understood that my life was changing for the better.”

Ali started attending entry level 3 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in January 2004 and owing to his, “enthusiasm, hard work, motivation, unquenchable vitality, and commitment to linguistic and academic self-improvement, he made unmatched and unrivalled language progress to become an advanced/ESOL level 2 learner by the summer of 2005,” said Ali’s tutor and nominator, Mark.

“I have gained so much from my learning ESOL experience: I am sure that in one year I learned more than in 28 years of my life,” said Ali whose efforts were recently awarded when he received direct entry onto the 2nd year of an undergraduate course in politics at London Southbank University.

As a former refugee, Ali now uses his skills to help others in his community to enrol on language classes and search for jobs.

Leonard Cottingham, age 75, Carshalton, Surrey
Nominated by: Maxine Fraser, Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA), Surrey
Press contact: Margaret White, SCOLA Tel: 020 8770 6903 Email: margaretwhite@scola.ac.uk 

Learning to read helps Len to help himself

“Len has displayed determination in attaining his ambition of being able to read a book before he dies,” began nominator, Maxine. Len’s great strength of character, determination and courage helped him overcome a very negative learning experience as a child to achieve his dream as a mature student in his 70s.

Len has been attending a Learn to Read and Write course at SCOLA since September 2004 and is now working towards a National Open College Network entry level 2 qualification.

Len can now recognise signs and some words and this has helped him tremendously with DIY. In December 2005 Len also stood up in front of an audience and read out an item about Christmas which he had written on his own.

Len is so pleased to be able to sit and read with his granddaughter and says adult learning, “has given me the opportunity to pick up a book and read. It is has given me more independence and freedom. It has helped me to help myself.”

Lisa Higginson, age 31, Bow, London
Nominated by: Jeanne Jude, Lifelong Learning Service, Tower Hamlets
Press contact: Lisa Baynham or Gillian Bird. Tel: 020 8981 1619

Transferring parenting skills to employable skills

“Lisa was struggling with severe depression when she started our family learning course. Against the odds, she was a regular attendee who began to reflect on her skills and learning,” said nominator, Jeanne.

Lisa successfully completed two family learning courses and from these she gained confidence, saw herself as ‘more than a mum’, and realised her skills. From that point Lisa undertook several courses and voluntary work placements and in September 2003 she passed her Access to Nursing course, allowing her entry to City University, London to study a Midwifery degree. Lisa is currently studying Midwifery, having been chosen from over 400 applicants.

Lisa reflected, “My eyes were opened to the skills I had as a parent – budgeting on a low income, multi-tasking and time management. I began to value myself and knew I could go further.”

“Adult Education stimulated me to develop and continue my learning to a high standard…I am contributing to society with my much-needed professional, key worker skills,” ended Lisa.

Harjitt Singh, age 43, Chessington, Surrey
Nominated by: Niamh Donnelly, Hillcroft College, Surbiton
Tel: 020 8399 2688

A chance for equality

“Harjitt was subjected to abusive and violent family relationships which resulted in her having to relocate and start again in a new area,” said nominator, Niamh Donnellly. Realising she had to overcome her isolation and difficulties she undertook a number of personal development courses to restore her confidence and enable her to progress.

“I did an assertiveness course which gave me back my self-esteem and self-belief,” commented Harjitt. The help Harjitt received from domestic violence support workers spurred her on to follow this occupation. She is now a victim support worker and taking a course on domestic violence as well as further short courses. People in her community now go to Harjitt for advice.

“Now that I have moved on, I can study and get the skills I need to get a good job, support my family and support other women.” Harjitt concludes, “Adult learning means the chance to change for the better, becoming stronger and independent and gave me a chance for equality.”

Sofia Mergia, age 36, North London
Nominated by: Sally Haywill, Tower Hamlets College. Tel: 020 8802 4604. Email: shaywill@blueyonder.co.uk 

Adult learning led to an unusual and interesting job

Sofia led a disrupted life in her home country of Ethiopia and when she arrived in England she faced further difficulties with the language barrier, no job and few employable skills. Determined to have a better life, Sofia embarked on an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course, computing and maths classes and also a cycling and cycle trainers’ course.

The cycle course, part of Tower Hamlets College’s workbase programme, has enabled Sofia to get an unusual and interesting job as a cycle trainer, teaching both adults and children to ride a bike and cycle on the road. This has also allowed Sofia to, “make friends and become a valuable member of the local community,” said nominator and former tutor, Sally. Sofia continues to learn English through her job.

“Sofia combines so many admirable qualities – determination, enthusiasm, modesty, toughness – and is an inspiring role model for women, particularly black women and second-language speakers,” said Sally.

Andrew Campbell, age 37, London SE13
Nominated by: Claudette Johnson, The City Lit
Press contact: Liora Ives. Tel: 020 7492 2670. Email: l.ives@citylit.ac.uk 

My views have changed

Andrew says that, in the past, he believed that homeless people had just given up on life. He was in work and earning a good salary, and the last thing he expected was to find himself on the other side of the tracks. But involvement with drugs led to a custodial sentence and the loss of his job and his home. He found himself living in a hostel.

His nominator recounts Andrew’s reappraisal of his situation. “A session with St Mungo’s complex needs worker gave Andrew the chance to identify new goals,” Claudette Johnson explains.

Andrew is now attending a vocationally-related programme for ex-service users at the City Lit and will gain a City & Guilds level 2 certificate in supporting homeless people’s needs, and has already completed a work placement at an alcohol support project in Camden. He has been shortlisted for the Training Co-ordinator post at St Mungo’s.

“My views on homeless people have changed,” Andrew admits. “The course helped me understand the difficulties I had when faced with homeless people. I was able to empathise with the situation of the vulnerable person, which I’d never had to do before.”

Students on BTEC Radio Production, Radio Wanno, Wandsworth Prison, London
Nominated by Rosie Parkyn, Radio for Development
Tel: 0207 729 8866 or 07866 517 338 Email: rosie.parkyn@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Re-Tuning Inside For a Better Future

Despite limited access to equipment, missing perks like the gym and showers to come to class, enemies on the wing, Dear John phone-calls and drug withdrawal; the group of ten learners who have studied for a BTEC in Radio Production at Radio Wanno in Wandsworth Prison have produced some fantastic creative work.

Their feature packages and radio dramas have even been admired by broadcast professionals visiting the project. Four of the students have applied to Higher Education courses on release.

Rosie Parkyn, tutor at Radio Wanno, said, “They are shouty, sometimes aggressive, rude to tutors, project workers and each other. But equally they are industrious, talented, supportive, enthusiastic and thoughtful. Despite studying a condensed course at A Level standard in such a challenging environment, these ten prisoners have toughed it out.”

“Prison is the most intense environment I have ever experienced. Yes, they have little else to do but study, but if it were me I would be focusing all my energies on just surviving”, concluded Rosie.

ESOL Skills for Life Students, Goldsmiths, University of London
Nominated by Mark Krzanowski, MKUKED Social Enterprise, Wood Green, London
Tel: 07939 373 525 Email: markkski1@btinternet.com

Language learning leads to university, jobs and a place in society

“The UK is our new home and to be successful we need to learn English better and if necessary study to get better qualifications.”

The ESOL Skills for Life Group at Goldsmiths have come from many different countries, with different languages and religions. Many of them have now found new jobs and others have learned English to such a level they have gained places at university.

In addition to learning they have helped their local community by offering a free interpreting and translating service.

One of the group commented, “The classes gave us the encouragement and inspiration to be active, optimistic, confident and more assertive. Learning has meant that we have become independent and made important choices about education and work. Thanks to our ESOL classes we can play an important role in society.”

Mark Krzanowski, the group’s tutor, said, “I have been moved by the exceptionally high level of involvement demonstrated by these learners and have rarely seen such good classroom dynamics.“

Core Arts Education Project, Homerton, East London
Nominator and press contact: Giuliana Molinari, Tel. 0208 510 9990, E-mail gmolinari@corearts.co.uk

“To see beyond the individual’s diagnosis…”

Core Arts was set up in 1992 by the artist, Paul Monks, who made his studio in a vacant ward in the old Hackney Hospital. “His workspace became a haven for artistic expression”, Giuliana Molinari from Core Arts explains. “Curious patients, seeking refuge from the monotony of life on the psychiatric wards, immersed themselves in a world of paint and colour”.

Gaining charitable status in 1994, the project is now open five days a week, 46 weeks per year and delivers a structured development programme from a choice of 40 workshops in art, music, multi-media, writing, computer skills and horticulture. Each year, Core Arts caters for 320 members, all of whom suffer from severe and enduring mental health problems, are registered disabled and have complex care needs. The project encourages its members to participate through: employment training in its seven social enterprises/firms; and its dynamic external programme, which comprises over 50 events annually with audiences of over 15,000.

All members are referred to Core by health professionals. 30% are recovering from addiction. 80% live in Hackney, where the level of mental health service needs are 87% above the national average. Current members range in age from 16 to 60; 70% are from minority ethnic communities; and 45% are Afro-Caribbean males. In the last year, seven members have entered employment; 15 have moved into further education; 30 have become volunteers; and 300 members have benefited from a new, tailor-made personal development programme, increasing their chances of future employment.

“A life… spent coping with the debilitating symptoms of mental illness, dependent on a cocktail of medication, with periods spent in psychiatric wards has often had a devastating effect of members’ ability to function fully within society”, Giuliana says. “Core supports people who are often seen as unemployable and economically void to develop skills, unleash potential and feel hope. The evidence of this… is in the lives of people who can now call themselves an artist, poet or musician”.

Newham University Hospital NHS Trust Ladder of Learning
Nominated by Carmel Rooney, Newham University Hospital NHS Trust
Press contact: Kate Shurety, Tel. 0207 363 8963, E-mail Kate.Shurety@newhamhealth.nhs.uk

Hospital staff step up the Ladder of Learning

Newham University NHS Trust is a district general hospital in East London, employing 2,000 staff in a borough with the most ethnically diverse population in the UK, where more than 120 community languages are spoken and more than 50% of residents are from a minority ethnic group. The Trust developed the Newham Ladder of Learning in July 2002 in partnership with the University of East London and the North East London Workforce Development Directorate to attract and support recruitment as well as to give existing hospital staff career and skill development.

The Ladder of Learning includes pre-employment training, return to learn/key skills, dyslexia support, English at Work, vocational programmes, through to leadership and masters-based management programmes.

“Staff groups who, historically in the NHS, have not accessed training and development are now accessing many different opportunities”, Carmel Rooney, from the Trust explains. “… [The Learning Ladder engages] staff from the catering departments, porters, maintenance and estates, housekeeping as well as supervisors, medial secretaries, receptionists and health advocates”.

Ranging in age from 19 to 60, some of the youngest participants have joined the hospital’s community-based initiatives including an access to medicine programme for students who fail to meet the entry criteria for medical school. For many of the staff over 50 who are taking steps up the Ladder, this is the first formal training they have done since leaving school.

Designated Learning Champions support staff with their learning: 800 employees were engaged in 2005, 150 of whom achieved qualifications. Community programme learners have moved into the Trust’s employment and other students have gone on to further education and employment. “A London Development Agency… study identified the Newham Ladder of Learning as the only holistic model at an organisational level which covered all stages of the skills escalator”, Carmel says. “Learners have opportunities to progress to other learning opportunities as well as career progression…Healthcare assistants and other clinical support staff have… gone on to the Clinical Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree”.

Jacqueline Butcher, age 63, Isleworth, Middlesex
Nominated by: Julie Apsey, Hounslow Adult and Community Education
Press contact: Rupinder Saund, Hounslow Adult and Community Education. Tel: 020 8583 6004. Email: rupinder.saund@hounslow.gov.uk 

Following a dream

“I had been working for 21 years as an accounts clerk and I hated being in an office. I had no qualifications when I left school at 15. When I saw a poster on the estate saying ‘Would you like to work with children?’ I decided to find out about it,” said Jackie, who subsequently joined a training course in sessional crèche work.

After completing the course, Jackie was offered a job in the Langdale Community Centre crèche and also became an escort on the school buses for children with special needs. When a supervisor post arose, Jackie was interested but the role required an NVQ level 3 qualification which she didn’t have. Jackie started the course but found there was too much written work to manage and gave up. However, she started the course again, and was diagnosed with dyslexia which was a relief to Jackie as it explained all of her problems at school with reading and writing. Jackie is determined she’ll complete the course.

In addition to studying, Jackie says, “I have met loads of new friends and now work as a volunteer Director of the Bridgelink Community Centre. When I finish the NVQ course in July I am going to apply to become a Learning Champion for Adult Education.”

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