Learning can transform lives and communities Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 11:56

Sign Up Now - a national outreach initiative from NIACE - encourages all adults to take up learning during 2011, which is also the European Year of Volunteering.

Sherrie Rhodes, aged 30, from Hull, overcame post-natal depression through learning and went on to volunteer with some of the most vulnerable and isolated women in the city of Hull. Sherrie's debilitating panic attacks started in 2005, but the turning point came when she embarked on a lifelong learning programme, part of a community project arranged by Willow, North Hull Women's Centre in early 2006, designed to boost confidence.

Sherrie's now a volunteer for the Doula project - supporting women during and after pregnancy - and she hopes to become a midwife. She said:

"Whilst my journey's not always been easy, my determination to overcome post-natal depression, the love of my family and my commitment to leaning has inspired and motivated me to overcome many barriers."

Whilst my journey's not always been easy, my determination to overcome post-natal depression, the love of my family and my commitment to leaning has inspired and motivated me to overcome many barriers

Sherrie Rhodes, 2010 Adult Learners' Week award winner

William Ride, aged 42, from Ripley in Derbyshire, became a single father of his two sons after his wife's death from leukaemia. He approached his Sure Start centre for help and following his visits, Barnardo's asked him to consider forming a fathers' group. Starting with a Saturday morning brunch club and a Dads' and Tots' Group, activities have spread rapidly throughout Derby including two conferences.

William has also taken various courses like Parenting and Child Protection, is now taking the NCFE Level 1 Working with Children course and plans to make this his career. He said:

"The learning I have done on the course has given me the skills in childcare and helped me with my knowledge and understanding."

Sign Up Now inspires adults to explore learning opportunities, to learn new skills and improve their lives. The vast selection of courses on offer are showcased at local colleges, adult education centres, museums, libraries and other community and voluntary organisations nationwide. People can also find out what's on offer near them, by getting in touch with the Next Step careers service online, or by calling them free on 0800 100 900.

Kamy Basra, Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:

"Learning and volunteering often go hand-in-hand, helping to boost learners' confidence and gain new skills, whilst strengthening their communities, as seen through the inspirational learning journeys of both Sherrie and William."

There are so many opportunities and ways to learn, so whatever you are interested in and for whatever reason, just get in touch with the Next Step careers service online or call them free on 0800 100 900.

Kamy Basra, Campaigns Officer at NIACE

"There are so many opportunities and ways to learn, so whatever you are interested in and for whatever reason, just get in touch with the Next Step careers service online - www.direct.gov.uk/nextstep - or call them free on 0800 100 900. Often, people find a new lease of life when they decide to learn something new, so you may just want to learn for fun!"

To mark the 20th Adult Learners' Week next year (14 - 20 May 2011) - the UK's largest festival of learning - NIACE is seeking nominations for inspirational adult learners that will be recognised through May's Adult Learners' Week Awards. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, 28 January 2010. Find out more about nominating online, or phone the Adult Learners' Week team on 0116 204 4200.

To celebrate 20 years of Adult Learners' Week, NIACE is also seeking past winners to share their stories and talk about how learning has transformed their life. Past winners can get in touch by emailing 20@alw.org.uk or by going online.