Learning helped Danny become successful in business Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 17:54

In an interview with NIACE, Danny West speaks openly about being one of the first people in the UK to be diagnosed as HIV positive in 1985 and how he used learning to transform his life.

At 48 he is a successful businessman and has had his learning achievements recognised with the National Learning Works Award - sponsored by the European Social Fund (ESF) - as part of Adult Learners' Week 2009.

Following his diagnosis Danny spent a number of years working in the new and evolving UK HIV charities - such as London Lighthouse and Body Positive. However, he was forced to give up work and lived on benefits for 14 years.

Through improved medical treatments Danny returned to learning four years ago. He said:

"I needed to learn to increase my knowledge and skills which would enable me to set up my own business and return to work."

My learning has increased my confidence and abilities. It has enabled me to fulfil a life time goal.

Danny West

In those three years Danny has done a huge amount of learning. He has trained as a life coach (with the Coaching Academy), learnt how to start and run his own training and coaching business (with help from an ESF-funded project) and completed a management qualification with the Chartered Management Institute.

Danny now operates a successful business, working throughout the UK and Europe delivering training, leadership consultancy and coaching. Danny primarily works with disabled people, people with long term health conditions and HIV, and the organisations that support them. He is Vice-Chair of National Long Term Survivors Group, a national user-led support organisation for those with living with HIV.

He continued:

"My learning has increased my confidence and abilities. It has enabled me to fulfil a life time goal. My work is inspirational and extremely rewarding, and I am motivated by making a significant difference to the lives of the people with whom I work."