South East ALW Award Winners 2007
Individual Award Winners
Patrick Adamson, aged 49, from Sheerness
Adult learning has given Patrick Adamson a job to go to when he
is released from prison. “I realised that in order for me to become
employable, I would have to return to education.” he says.
He has achieved qualifications at Entry Level 1, 2 and 3, as well as
Levels 1 and 2 in Adult Numeracy and Literacy. He also took learning
programmes and delivered tuition in Toe by Toe, a reading scheme for
people with dyslexia.
Patrick says: “Learning has enabled me to gain knowledge. I also get
great satisfaction out of using the skills I have gained by helping
other people learn. The difficulties I faced was only the fact that
I did not believe in myself and I thought learning was a waste of
time. But thankfully I overcame those negative thoughts by taking
steps back into the classroom.”
His tutor John Matthews said: “Patrick has improved immensely in his
confidence and has demonstrated his ability to serve on committees,
to teach small groups and assist with the dyslexia class. The
experience gained over six months has enabled him to gain paid
employment with the St Giles Trust as a counsellor on his release.”
Mark Billingham, aged 48, from Southsea
Mark Billingham, aged 48, from Southsea, Portsmouth, has won an
Individual Learner Award as part of this year’s Adult Learners’ Week
(19th – 25th May 2007). Mark has been recognised for his outstanding
enthusiasm and commitment to learning by the organisers of the UK’s
largest festival of learning, the National Institute of Adult
Continuing Education (NIACE).
After leaving school with few qualifications and being diagnosed as
dyslexic Mark Billingham is now making up for lost time. A desire to
change careers and go into nursing brought him back into education.
He completed a two-year access course while still working full-time,
- without missing a single day at college or work.
Now in his late 40s, he is a full time student at Southampton
University School of Nursing and Midwifery. “I’m particularly proud
of the fact that I managed to do the access course while still in
full-time employment,” he says. “This was a real discipline – how I
managed to juggle everything I’ll never know.”
Mark’s general education in childhood was very fragmented. Coming
from a Naval family, he moved schools frequently and his learning
needs went undetected. After working in the hospitality industry for
over 20 years he decided to become a nurse.
“Researching how my ambition could be achieved, it soon became
evident that I would need various academic qualifications,” he says.
“I decided that if other people could do it, then so could I.”
At college Mark notched up an access course, passing all his
modules, GCSE English and Maths, Key Skills Communication at Level
3, as well as doing voluntary work at a local hospital. Now studying
for a Diploma with Advanced Studies in Nursing, he is looking
forward to his new career.
Kazuko Thomson, aged 41, from Milton Keynes
Adult learning has changed Kazuko Thomson’s life. Since she moved
to this country from Japan nine years ago she had taught herself to
read, listen and write English. But she still struggled with
speaking the language. “I decided to return to learning because I
wanted to destroy the wall that I had had inside me for a long
time,” she says. “I was determined to accelerate my English
learning.”
Kazuko began attending Skills for Life ESOL (English for Speakers of
Other Languages) classes – and she quickly embraced learning. She
says it opened up undreamed of opportunities. When there were no
ESOL courses available because of the holiday last summer (2006),
she formed a self-study group. Four students met regularly to read
newspaper articles, discuss them and share their writing through
e-mails.
And as a volunteer in an IT class, Kazuko has helped ESOL and
Literacy students to use computers for learning and for professional
skills. While at college she has passed Entry 3 and Level 1 ESOL
exams, and is now studying for Level 2, which she is due to complete
this academic year. She has also completed a City 7 Guilds Working
with Adult Learners course, and has enrolled on a Level 3 E-guides
accredited programme, and a City & Guilds Tutoring Adults course.
Kazuko enjoys writing and wants to do English at A-level. Eventually
she hopes to teach. “It would be wonderful if one day I could have
my own class and teach something I have learned through my courses,”
she says.
Declan MacIntyre, aged 40, from Brighton
It was the birth of his son that persuaded Declan to return to
learning. “I have always had difficulties with reading and writing,”
he says. “I knew it would not be long before this would bar me from
helping him with his development.”
Declan, who works in waste disposal, says learning has totally
changed his life. He is much more confident and has improved his
reading and writing to the point where he can now read to his son.
“Adult learning has given me the opportunity to help in and enjoy my
son’s education and development,” he says. “It has also afforded me
skills that help me with everyday situations, such as filling in
work sheets and writing Christmas and birthday cards.”
Declan had to overcome some major barriers, including dyslexia and
workmates’ attitudes to learning. In the traditionally male
environment of waste disposal, he came under a lot of pressure not
to do it. He also had to overcome his own demons – taking that first
step and facing up his problems reading and writing.
Declan took the new National Literacy Test and passed Level 2, as
well as two City & Guilds exams. He is now going on to do English
GCSE – he has also become a union learning rep, inspiring many
colleagues to join classes. Now he is changing careers and is
learning the ‘Knowledge’ – a mental map of Brighton & Hove – to
become a taxi driver.
“Not bad at 40,” he says. “Still – they say life starts here.”
Angie Frost, aged 38, from New Ash Green
Angie has successfully juggled the demands of studying with
bringing up four lively children. And despite gaining few
qualifications at school she is now studying towards a degree. Her
dream is to become a professional writer.
“Adult learning has turned my life around – a total change,” she
says. “I can’t believe how happy and contented I feel now. It’s made
a difference to my children too – they are happier and so much more
together.”
When her youngest child started school, Angie decided it was time to
do something for herself. “At the time I was working as a part-time
cleaner – something I didn’t want to make as a career,” she says.
Her local JobCentre referred her to Step Up To Success – a short
course designed to boost personal skills and develop confidence. She
started at North West Kent College by studying and passing GCSE
English. She also became a volunteer at Prospects, where she trained
in Information Advice and Guidance at NVQ/NOCN Level 2. She was
expected to start a Level 3 IAG course this Spring.
Currently she is taking a two-year Foundation Degree in Professional
Writing. She then plans to go on to do a further year to complete a
full degree at Greenwich University.
“I hope to work with people in the careers service,” she says. “But
above all, one thing I will continue with – whether for myself or
for publishing – is writing. I see it as painting with words.”
NOCN Regional Award Winner
Melanie Hudson, aged 32, from Welling, Kent
Melanie Hudson has returned to learning for a better quality of
life for her children after years of domestic violence.
Several years ago Melanie was in a refuge, desperate to get her life
back on track. “I’d moved to an area that I didn’t know,” she says.
“I was on my own with three small children and no idea what to do
next.”
She enrolled at the Adult Education College Bexley. There she took a
confidence building and family learning courses – she enjoyed them
so much she began looking for other courses to sign up for.
Then just as she was getting into her stride, Melanie was attacked
in her own home after she disturbed two men breaking in.
But far from putting her off, the attack strengthened her resolve.
“It made me stronger and more determined to get on with my life,”
she says.
Her qualifications include Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy, and she is
currently studying for level 2.
She has also undertaken courses in Food Hygiene, Health and Safety,
Child Protection, Parenting, Event Management and ICT, and is
currently studying for a Level 2 Community Development
qualification.
She also set up a voluntary group – Howbury Friends – to provide
free learning activities, projects and events for the local
community.
Melanie says: “The best part is seeing other people benefit from my
group and seeing families working together and seeing families
learning together, as well as people who are normally too frightened
to do courses.
“I say, well if I can do it so can you.”
European Social Fund Individual Award Winner
Lynne Baker, aged 50, from Crawley
Lynne has had a visual impairment since birth and was registered
blind in 2000. Yet despite her disability, Lynne is now a qualified
counsellor and promotes disability awareness to local schools. Lynne
says, “I wanted a purpose to my life, other than being just a parent
to my 14 year old son…To get rid of a sense of inadequacy and feel
useful”.
Her learning journey began with two personal development courses at
Level 2: ‘Building confidence’, and ‘Making choices managing
change’. This inspired her to undertake further study. Due to her
disability, Lynne took on a Learning Support Assistant to help her
with her written work. Despite negativity towards this from some
fellow students, Lynne persevered and undertook an Introduction to
Counselling course.
Lynne faced various difficulties, including having to use an old
version of the course text because it was not available as a
listening book. However, this did not deter her in successfully
completing her Level 1 and 2 in Counselling. Her new-found
confidence has led her to take on various voluntary projects. She
works with the Surrey Association for the Visually Impaired as a
phone buddy to others who are blind and housebound. She also works
with Saturday Venture Association, visiting schools to talk about
disability awareness.
She has found new friendships and is proud to have inspired her son
to challenge obstacles and value learning.
Lynne says, “Learning is a doorway to a purposeful life. It allows
you to change direction and have a chance to improve yourself.”
Family Learners of the Year
The Franklin Family from Wickham in Hampshire
Parents of three, Mandy Tegg and Nigel Franklin have between them
completed more than 10 courses – ranging from computing for
beginners to brushing up maths and English; from introductory
childcare courses to a couple of Robot Wars sessions. They are
well-known and active members of their community in Wickham, where
Nigel writes for the parish magazine and Mandy is the Secretary of
the fundraising committee for the local Homestart group – organising
a Christmas woodland bauble hunt and planning a crowd-pulling event
for this summer.
All this, whilst Mandy and Nigel look after their three sons –
Ashley (aged 10), Nathan (aged nine) and Marshall (aged three) –
each of whom faces health difficulties of his own. The eldest has
dyslexia and the younger boys are two of only 12 children in the
country to be diagnosed with citrullinaemia, a rare genetic
metabolic disorder which requires medication four times a day and
constant surveillance as they can become ill very quickly needing
hospital admission.
Nominator, Nicky Morris, from Peter Symonds College says, “Having
completed the Beginners Computer course, Mandy and Nigel felt
confident enough to go on to do a CLAIT Course at… Fareham College.
This has really benefited the family as now they can help the
children with their computer homework. The PALS, Step Up to
Childcare and NCFE Introduction to Childcare courses have made Mandy
recognise the skills she has learned from caring for her children
and given her the confidence to deal with the various authorities
and the associated complex needs of her three sons. Nigel certainly
benefited from attending two Robot Wars days… as they proved to be
excellent bonding sessions with [Ashley] and good opportunities to
socialise with other people in the community”.
Nigel and Mandy’s quest for learning has been driven by three
wishes: ‘the opportunity to gain more knowledge and improve on work
life and to help the children’. Nigel added, “I have [promoted]
local activities that encourage both disabled and able-bodied young
people. I have also been able to help friends and work colleagues
with computer problems thanks to the computer knowledge I have
gained through adult learning. Hopefully, the knowledge I have
gained will enable me to find alternative work, possibly IT-based,
whereas before… I wouldn’t have even considered applying for such a
job… Mandy will hopefully enrol on the NVQ Level 2 Childcare course
and this would then enable her to a get a placement in a special
needs school… We felt anything extra we learned would be good for
the whole family.”
Opening Doors to Adult Learners’ Award Winner
First Attempts, Orpington
“The Learning Centre started out as a disused storeroom three
years ago”, nominator Tina Hunter explains. “Throughout the garage…
morale was low, surroundings were shabby and the rest room was
filled with the majority of drivers sitting, trance-like, in front
of a TV.”
The old cupboard has been transformed into a state-of-the-art
learning centre and, since then, staff turnover has decreased from
25% to 12% with the sickness/absence rate falling from 12% to 4%. In
Transport for London’s statistics, the garage has improved by 4% in
its driver quality monitoring assessment.
The centre’s learners are drawn from a pool of 180 plus bus drivers,
mechanics and ancillary staff aged from 21 to 64 and, within this
cohort, there are some 20 different nationalities, bringing ESOL
needs of varying levels. Situated on a walkway from the car park to
the signing-on room, all learners need to pass the Learning Centre
either to or from their work and all Skills for Life subjects are
available under one roof. With support and encouragement from First
UK Bus management and the Transport and General Workers Union, the
garage’s Union Learning Representative has been encouraged to share
good practice throughout the company and one learner now helps with
his local dyslexia society. Having always encouraged family
participation, the Learning Centre now sees wives and other members
of employee families attending to access Skills for Life
qualifications and a number of learners have been supported through
their UK citizenship exams.
The Learning Centre has offered assistance on topics as diverse as
pensions to secondary school applications alongside more traditional
literacy, language and numeracy support. “As a result of the
new-found motivation and increased morale, the whole garage [has
been] redecorated, smoking in the rest area [has been] banned and
even the staff canteen now offers healthier eating options”, Tina
reveals. “Initial take-up was very gradual but, due to some
successful promotions, we have since engaged over 60% of the
workforce… The Learning Centre has become an integral part of the
garage.”
Opening Doors to Adult Learners’ Award (Highly Commended)
Portsmouth College, in partnership with SERCO DENHOLM
10 learners working in Portsmouth Dockyard for a company called
SERCO – which deals with ship-servicing in Portsmouth Harbour – have
been given opportunities to achieve Skills for Life qualifications
through an innovative work-based learning scheme involving their
employer, union learning reps and Portsmouth College.
“We started working with SERCO as the result of an individual
Tugboat Master, who is dyslexic, and who had attended College for
sessions with [its] dyslexia specialist”, nominator Fran May
explains. “He asked if we could provide opportunities in work-based
learning and [Portsmouth College] arranged to make a presentation
to… see if we could… engage employees in the dockyard… We were taken
out on the harbour in the Fleet Tender and visited several vessels
where we met a variety of men and spoke to them about gaining
qualifications in English and Maths.”
Since then, the college has worked mainly with men aged 21 plus who
have sound experience and expertise in Ship’s Masters/technical
qualifications but who, almost uniformly, reported not having
enjoyed school and not having gained literacy and numeracy
qualifications. As learners have achieved at Levels 1 and 2, further
opportunities have been opened up in ICT learning to enhance
employability skills.
“We are a small sixth form College”, Fran says, “but pride ourselves
on the risks we are prepared to take to develop learning in the
community… Our recruitment method was particularly [innovative] as
it necessitated transferring nimbly, or not, from the Fleet Tender
onto a variety of vessels out on the water! In view of our success,
the model has been taken forth to other areas… and it would be the
pinnacle… if we were able to transfer some of the workshop actually
on-board the various vessels out in the harbour.”
Senior Learner Award Winner
Patience Jackson-Dey, aged 56, from Walton-on-Thames
A ten-week Ransackers course – a specially designed residential
course for older people who have not previously benefited from
further education - at Hillcroft College has provided Patience
Jackson-Dey with the impetus to achieve her learning goal.
“I finished school in Nigeria and did not have the opportunity to do
any higher study as my parents could not afford the fees,” she says,
“I got married young and had children, but all these years I thought
about getting more education and knowledge. The research aspect of
the course has opened up a whole new world for me. I did not know
anything about computers. Now I can do word-processing, writing
letters…surf the Internet for information and send and receive
emails.”
Her confidence gained through her learning has led Patience to
volunteer with a local charity Rentstart helping people with housing
difficulties. This new found confidence has also given her the
impetus to enrol on an Access Course this September – her aim is to
go to University.