Famous faces back 20th Adult Learners’ Week Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 17:18

A number of well-known personalities have given their backing to the 20th Adult Learners' Week (14 - 20 May) this year, the UK's largest annual festival of learning which recognises extraordinary adults with inspirational learning journeys that have helped them transform not only their own lives, but the lives of their friends, families and communities as well. The week also gives adults the opportunity to choose from thousands of learning events taking place across both England and Wales.

Alex Jones, presenter of the One Show, said:

"Life should be one big learning experience. In my career I have had to learn many, many new things. Becoming an active learner is a challenge but is one that can bring great benefits to you, your family and your community. So this Adult Learners' Week, get out there, get learning and make a difference!"

Monty Python and author, Terry Jones, said:

"It's never too late to learn and Adult Learners' Week proves the point."

Griff Rhys Jones, comedian, actor and television presenter, said:

"I'm very lucky. The BBC sends me on various jobs and I never stop learning. It s been a second education for me, and an exciting one...Adult learning can mean so many different things, but I like the way it can mean the fulfilment of an ambition or the scratching of an itch or the acquiring of a new ability...education can be education for its own sake. Perhaps as we all live longer we need the stimulus that a challenge can give us...It is never too late until it is literally too late."

Others have also revealed what they would most like to learn and the most useful things they've learned since leaving formal education.

TV Presenter, Trisha Goddard, would most like to learn about:

"Fashion and fabric design and manufacture. I so love the world of fashion and design and always have! Or hip hop dancing - I did classes for a year and always joke that in another life I would have been a backing hip-hop dancer and toured the world! I love the physicality of it!

Apart from life's lessons, Trisha said the most useful things she has learned are:

"Computer skills, how to type, how to produce a television story from conception and research to scripting, filming, editing, doing voice-overs, adding music and so on. These skills, learned during various courses during my leave while I was employed as an air hostess, enabled me to switch professions and start working in the Media."

TV DIY expert, Tommy Walsh, said:

"I'd quite like to learn to type properly, and learn to use a pc and the internet properly, for faster communication. I'm pretty good with my hands, and this would dovetail nicely with my work! The most useful thing that I've learnt since leaving school is good communication, and observational skills, which has set me up for life!"

Zoë Tyler, presenter on Loose Women, said:

"I would like to learn another language as I travel so much."

Comedian, Joe Pasquale, said:

"I would like to learn about the formation of the Universe and Planetary Science and Geology in general."

John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills & Lifelong Learning, said:

"Adult Learners' Week is an important opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements of learners up and down the country. I want to encourage more people to take up learning - whatever their age. In all its forms, learning has the power to change lives, shape communities and transform Britain."