Award winners

Our award winners highlight the vast array of people who gain so much from learning as adults.

Their stories truly inspire all of us

They help us recognise that learning is transformational, exciting, rewarding and possible at any age, for any reason and can be for all of us.

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2024

Return to Learning Award

Angie discovered the joy of learning after her GP provided details of courses available through the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) Learn service. Angie immediately noticed the benefits of learning to her mental wellbeing and social life, and she is now an advocate for adult education in her local community.

Angie Collard

Return to Learning Award | Sponsored by City Lit

Meet the winner
Joanne Hassan 3 (1)

2024

Finalist

After years of struggling with a lack of purpose, Joanne discovered her love of learning through a sustainable cookery course at her local WEA (Workers’ Educational Association). Joanne soon realised she wanted more in life and began volunteering at a local school helping to run the breakfast club. Fast forward two years and she is now studying to become a teaching assistant.

Joanne Hassan

Finalist

Meet the winner
IMG_20221114_120051_resized_20221114_013829627 (2)

2024

Learning for Health Award

Inspiring Minds is delivered by mental health charity START and aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Salford through the delivery of creative arts and horticulture activities. Almost 500 learners per year benefit from their person-focussed programme, enabling them to gain new skills and qualifications, and ultimately find the aspiration to lead a better life.

Inspiring Minds

Learning for Health award

Meet the winner
FoL_2024 (1)

2024

Finalist

Jenny is an inspirational tutor who builds meaningful relationships with her learners at Wiltshire Council’s Family and Community Learning service. She develops an exceptional environment of trust with her learners which enables them to take positive steps to articulate and achieve their dreams.

Jenny Ham

Finalist

Meet the winner
Susannah-Festival_of_Learning_2

2024

Learning for Health Award

Susannah’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with incurable metastatic cancer. Determined not to let her diagnosis control her, Susannah enrolled in the Contemporary Practice and Developing Art Practice courses at City Lit, using what she learned to explore her relationship with cancer.

Susannah Goulding

Learning for Health award

Meet the winner
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2024

Patron's Award

After a sudden life changing illness left him blind and paralysed, Farhad joined the New Beginnings programme at University of East London. He excelled at the course, making incredible progress physically, personally and academically. He quickly progressed to a BSc Banking and Finance and has now secured a highly competitive internship with Barclays Bank.

Farhad Hussain

Patron's award

Meet the winner
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2024

President's Award

Nottingham College leads a transformative partnership with local stakeholders to deliver a truly holistic, multi-agency ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) service across the city and communities it serves.

Nottingham College ESOL and BEGIN Project

President's award

Meet the winner
FOL 5 (2)

2024

Finalist

After being badly bullied at school and leaving with no qualifications, Donna made the choice to return to learning at the age of 50. From her initial start as a nervous and shy member of both her Functional Skills English and Maths classes, Donna is now an inspiration to her peers, volunteers with her local community club and plans to continue learning into the future.

Donna Ridings

Finalist

Meet the winner
Breadwinners

2024

Employer Award

Breadwinners is a social enterprise giving young refugees and people seeking asylum their first employment in the UK. Over the last five years, Breadwinners have supported more than 400 young people through their programmes, with impressively high success rates in improving learners' wellbeing and supporting them to gain meaningful employment.

Breadwinners

Employer award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
5 (2)

2024

Learning Provision Award

WHM Work Connections (WHM) is an innovative and renowned Community Life Choices Service within Leicestershire. By providing a combination of continued training, work experience, and accredited courses, WHM supports adults with learning disabilities on their individual personal development pathways.

WHM Work Connections

Learning Provision award

Meet the winner
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2024

New Directions Award

Following a decade-long career in food retail, Shez changed direction and followed her passion for carpentry and joinery. Shez completed construction courses at Bolton College and overcame obstacles to entering a male-dominated industry, and now works at a bespoke cabinet makers.

Shez Grigg

New Directions Award | Sponsored by Skills and Education Group

Meet the winner
Sobia Soz - Festival of Learning (4) (4)

2024

Finalist

Sobia embarked on her learning journey to rebuild her life and confidence after overcoming significant trauma and adversity, including divorce and losing support networks. Sobia achieved the highest grade possible in her English GCSE, whilst also completing a range of other courses. She is now learning British Sign Language to make her practice as an education support worker more inclusive.

Sobia Soz

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2024

Tutor Award

Ana started her journey to becoming a tutor as a learner on a care course at Embark Learning where she now teaches. Her motivation to teach comes from her passion for working in care and hopes to inspire the next generation of carers.

Ana Geada

Tutor award | Sponsored by Education and Training Foundation

Meet the winner
Helen (2)

2024

English Language Learning Award

Helen arrived in the UK with her family as a war refugee from Ukraine. While completing her ESOL and Community Interpreting courses at Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, she volunteered to support others from the Ukrainian community, setting up a dedicated community centre. Helen is now a valuable member of the team at Work Redbridge, where she helps people find education and employment opportunities.

Helen Tkachenko

English Language Learning award

Meet the winner
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2024

Learning for Work Award

Wayne found himself out of work and struggling to provide for his family as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything changed with a career switch into rail with National Infrastructure Solutions, and Wayne now looks forward to training other newcomers to the industry.

Wayne Hardman

Learning for Work award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
DSC08378_DXO (1)

2024

Learning with Technology award

CodeYourFuture provides free technology and soft skills training to disadvantaged and marginalised adults, enabling them to start careers in tech. Their 12-month vocational course, delivered by volunteers from the tech industry, has helped over 250 learners to gain the technical and soft skills they need.

CodeYourFuture

Learning With Technology award | Sponsored by Ufi VocTech Trust

Meet the winner
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2023

President's Award

Decades of experience have fed into St Giles Trust’s ground-breaking model of using adult learning to ‘turn a past into a future’. The innovative St Giles London Peer Hub trains and supports its clients to achieve a Level 3 NVQ in Advice and Guidance – often the first qualification that they have ever attained.

St Giles Trust

President's Award

Meet the winner
IMG_3354

2023

Finalist

After suffering a stroke and later dealing with isolation through the Covid-19 lockdowns, June found happiness and confidence learning with Open Age. Her return to learning enabled her to take charge of her life, and she is now enrolled on courses ranging from digital skills to singing, cooking and gardening.

June Martin

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2023

Patron's Award

Margaret was referred to the DigitALL project when she expressed regret over never putting on an art show of her own. Margaret’s determination to achieve this personal goal led her to successfully organise the whole event, complete with an online landing page and accompanying social media presence. 

Margaret Porta

Patron's Award

Meet the winner
Ferzende Khallo crop (2)

2023

Finalist

After escaping war and taking a perilous journey across Europe, Ferzende saw incredible success in his GCSE English with Birmingham Adult Education Service (BAES) and went on to receive an MA in English Literature. He now looks forward to a PhD and further opportunities to support other refugees in the UK and abroad.

Ferzende Khallo

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2023

New Directions Award

Jason was recovering from severe brain damage and years of homelessness when he found training opportunities and a new sense of direction through Newground Together. Jason’s success in learning led not only to an offer of work, but the chance to reconnect with his family. 

Jason Richards

New Directions Award | Sponsored by Skills and Education Group

Meet the winner
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2023

Employer Award

Originally founded as a sheltered workshop to provide meaningful employment and training for adults with disabilities, Nuneaton Signs has manufactured road and commercial signs since 1982. Since 2021, the business has offered supported internships for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in partnership with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC).  

Nuneaton Signs

Employer Award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
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2023

Finalist

Rebecca enrolled on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship while working as a prison officer at HMP Dovegate. For her apprenticeship project, she successfully pitched to invite local assistance dog training charity, the Restart Dog Project, into the prison – a scheme which proved to have a significant benefit on prisoners’ wellbeing. 

Rebecca Blockley

Finalist

Meet the winner
DigitALL crop 1 (2)

2023

Finalist

The DigitALL Project is a partnership of third-sector organisations set up to tackle digital exclusion in north west London. The project has gone from strength to strength, delivering weekly one-to-one and group sessions alongside outreach support for people who are unable to leave their homes. 

DigitALL Project

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2023

Finalist

The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) trains and develops its young, culturally diverse workforce for a career in Army Logistics, but also equips them with the personal and vocational skills and industry experience for effective transition to civilian life – including a second career outside the military. 

Royal Logistic Corps

Finalist

Meet the winner
Tyrese canva 2

2023

Return to Learning Award

Tyrese found school extremely challenging and left without any GCSEs. Everything changed with her referral to First Steps to Learning course at Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, a course aimed at developing English, maths and digital skills for young parents.

Tyrese Williams

Return to Learning Award | Sponsored by City Lit

Meet the winner
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2023

English Language Learning Award

Fakhra spoke no English when she moved to the UK in 2010 and lacked the confidence to explore beyond her home environment. When her husband died shortly after she gave birth to her third child, adult learning paved the way for her journey to independence.

Fakhra Irfan

English Language Learning Award

Meet the winner
IMG-20230523-WA0004 Isabel5

2023

Finalist

When a catastrophic brain injury turned Isabel’s life upside down, enrolling on adult learning courses at Idea Store Learning offered the opportunity to rebuild her sense of self. Isabel is now looking to use her unique experience and skillset to help other people with neurological conditions.

Isabel Hinojosa

Finalist

Meet the winner
DSC_7110

2023

Learning Provision Award

As one of only two adult residential colleges in England, Fircroft College provides a safe and welcoming environment for learners from the West Midlands by offering wraparound support and care. The college engages with learners who are furthest from the labour market, and who often have multiple and complex needs. 

Fircroft College

Learning Provision

Meet the winner
Jackie at her desk

2023

Learning for Health Award

Jackie was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2013 and had surgery to have a stoma formed the following year. Attending support groups and courses with the WEA helped rebuild her confidence and create sense of control over her life. Jackie has since come on leaps and bounds and even set up her own group to support others in a similar position. 

Jackie Butterworth

Learning for Health Award

Meet the winner
IMG_0993

2023

Finalist

Initially pessimistic about her prospects as a learner, Razia restarted her journey at Redbridge Institute of Adult Education in 2015, where she enrolled on an ESOL Entry 3 course – a decision that would transform her life and spark a desire to help other adult learners uncover their hidden talents.

Razia Fez

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2023

Tutor Award

Emma’s passion for Deaf culture and the Deaf community forms an integral part of her practice as a teacher of British Sign Language (BSL). Having been denied access to signed education as a child, she is motivated by her desire to support hearing students in learning and developing their own language skills.

Emma Iliffe

Tutor Award | Sponsored by Education and Training Foundation

Meet the winner
Geoff Carter (5)

2023

Learning for Work Award

After an extended period of unemployment followed by a family tragedy, Geoff was proud to secure a role with the HS2 project. His construction training not only brought him skills and qualifications, it also empowered him to show his children what a good working life looks like.

Geoff Carter

Learning for Work Award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
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2022

Tutor Award

Being a tutor within the secure care setting brings its own set of challenges, but Helen’s innovative and inclusive approach allows her students to feel comfortable enough to pursue learning as adults. It is Helen’s commitment to professional development that brings out the best in her learners.

Helen Sonnefeld

Tutor Award | Sponsored by Education and Training Foundation

Meet the winner
Festival of Learning Awards 2022-364

2022

New Directions Award

Jo became determined to change her life for her and her four children after becoming a single mother. From leaving school with few qualifications, Jo returned to learning at the age of 41 and has now been in her chosen profession for three years.

Jo Wyard

New Directions Award | Sponsored by Skills and Education Group

Meet the winner
Mavis Satande - Festival of Learning Photos (16)

2022

Finalist

Mavis pursued her passion for accounting, discovered while working as an IT tutor in Zimbabwe, after moving to the UK. Mavis volunteered for various accounting roles and studied accounting, while also working full-time as a cleaner at the University of Bolton. Through her hard work, she landed a full-time role in the Exchequers team at the University of Bolton.

Mavis Satande

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2022

Learning for Work Award

Emma spent a large part of her adult life battling alcohol addiction. She didn’t leave her house for long periods of time and her life lacked direction. After being referred by North Yorkshire Horizons, Emma went on to complete over 10 courses, volunteer with the charity and is now a successful full-time member of their team.

Emma Smith

Learning for Work Award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
Jessica 9

2022

Finalist

Jessica’s learning journey began with completing her BICS cleaning qualifications at the Cleaning Academy in HMP Bronzefield. She has since gone from strength to strength, continuing her learning by completing additional courses including alcohol awareness and heroin awareness. She is currently attending new courses, including training to be a listener, and coaching at Brentford Football Club.

Jessica Waldron

Finalist

Meet the winner
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2022

Patron's Award

Mica had a challenging experience of school and continuing education as an adult, but things began to turn around for Mica when she found her love of learning and passion to become a teacher. Since then, she has flown through numerous courses in education.

Mica Jayne Coleman Jones

Patron's Award

Meet the winner
BFMR9627

2022

Finalist

Sabri and his partner moved to the UK in 2019. They wasted no time and enrolled on an entry 1 level English for Speakers of Other Languages course. Since learning English, Sabri’s life has changed for the better in all aspects of his life. He has now gained British citizenship for himself and his partner, found employment, made new friends, and improved his mental health.

Sabri Sevrim

Finalist

Meet the winner
Shamim Images 202220220329_0001

2022

English Language Learning Award

When Shamim arrived in the UK in 2004, he barely spoke English. Following a serious medical injury which left his wife with severe brain injuries, over a decade later he took a leap of faith and enrolled on an English learning programme. He’s gained a new sense of security and independence and is able to support his family.

Shamim Hussein

English Language Learning Award

Meet the winner
Gary 3

2022

Finalist

After losing his position as a bar manager in the spring 2020 lockdown, Gary lost his home and found himself struggling to provide for his 3-month-old daughter. Realising that a change in career was needed, Gary enrolled on an adult learning course for construction at Bolton College. He has excelled ever since, achieving a level 2 Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery, and employment as a technician at the college.

Gary King

Finalist

Meet the winner
Photo 1

2022

Learning Provision Award

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Bristol City Council saw a unique opportunity to join-up support services across homelessness, learning, employment, life skills and health support. Rough sleepers in Bristol with complex needs could finally access the specialised and tailored support they needed to gain essential skills and secure employment.

Bristol City Council

Learning Provision Award

Meet the winner
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2022

Finalist

Starting Point aim to provide learning and development opportunities for all their staff, seeking to improve confidence, team cohesion and individual performance. This involves taking a community-centred approach to staff development where staff are encouraged to participate and share ideas on improving their organisation.

Starting Point

Finalist

Meet the winner
DSC05847

2022

Return to Learning Award

Joanne has faced a range of challenges in her life and yet, in some ways, she's very typical of many of the people that come through the doors of adult education providers. After a poor experience of school and grappling with mental health issues, Joanne returned to learning at Hillingdon Adult Community Learning and has seen her confidence and future prospects skyrocket.

Joanne Matthews

Return to Learning Award | Sponsored by City Lit

Meet the winner
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2022

Learning for Health Award

Joanne didn’t enjoy school, learning to read at a later age than her peers and facing additional challenges in her home life. Years later, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, she enrolled on a course to understand how she could help her family cope with her diagnosis and her perception of learning changed entirely.

Joanne Sandison

Learning for Health Award

Meet the winner
DSC05866

2022

Employer Award

As a small financial services business, FD Works understands the importance of investing in their workforce to aid growth and retention. But their commitment goes beyond what works for the business, and it is the individual and diverse approach which makes them stand out as an employer.

FD Works

Employer Award | Sponsored by NOCN

Meet the winner
Liverpool Philharmonic Musicians with Music and Mental Health Participants. Photo by Mark McNulty (2)

2022

President's Award

Liverpool Philharmonic has been working in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust since 2008 to deliver a life changing music and mental health programme. By encouraging group work and creativity, the programme has helped participants to improve their quality of life, build confidence and create a sense of community.

Music and Mental Health Programme – The Life Rooms

President's Award

Meet the winner
Female sat in park sketching with two people in background

2021

Online Learning Award

Living alone as a disabled person made the idea of lockdown particularly worrying, but getting to grips with technology transformed Daya’s experience.

Daya Mohindra

Online Learning Award

Meet the winner
Individual lady standing in hair salon wearing black t-shirt

2021

Learning for Work Award

Following difficult visits to the barber with her son, Naomi saw a gap in the market to provide barbering services for those children with special educational need and other disabilities. Returning to learning aged 25 to gain the qualifications required, Naomi is now pursuing a career as a qualified barber.

Naomi-Louize

Learning for Work Award

Meet the winner
Two men sitting at table with paperwork and laptop

2021

Employer Award

Salts Healthcare has created a number of career pathways to help production workers upskill to become fully qualified engineers through a combination of on and off the job learning.

Salts Healthcare

Employer Award

Meet the winner
Male attaching medical equipment to female

2021

Learning Provision Award

Positive Progressions is an employability project that aims to increase learning and employment opportunities for those furthest away from the labour market.

Positive Progressions

Learning Provision Award

Meet the winner
Female at lectern

2021

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Rosie has shown great tenacity after a tumultuous start in life. After growing up in care and struggling through school, it has been through learning about how to help others, that Rosie has learnt how to help herself.

Rosie Wainwright

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Meet the winner
Head shot of male in bus driver uniform with bus in background

2021

Learning for Health Award

Following a diagnosis with a lifechanging condition, Paul started a variety of level 2 courses through the workplace learning centre, within the Bramley depot.

Paul Ackroyd

Learning for Health Award

Meet the winner
Female in library looking at book

2021

New Directions Award

Nikki-Ann worked as a pastry chef in a high-end restaurant before suffering life-changing injuries in a motorbike accident. After returning to education, Nikki-Ann has retrained and is pursuing a career in engineering.

Nikki-Ann Wyatt

New Directions Award

Meet the winner
Male sat table with laptop female sat in background, both looking to camera

2021

Patron's Award

Matthew has autism, which has unfortunately held him back in his education and employment. Having reached his early thirties, Matthew decided to take his first step back into learning, pursuing his passion for travel and tourism.

Matthew Turner

Patron's Award

Meet the winner
Two females sitting at table, one writing & the other looking on

2021

Return to Learning Award

Kirsty experienced personal trauma and turmoil from a young age and had little contact from the outside world. Following many years of trying to turn her life around, Kirsty took a leap of faith back into education at East Riding College and she hasn’t looked back since.

Kirsty Young

Return to Learning Award

Meet the winner
Head shot of male in library

2021

Tutor Award

José Aguiar is a teacher at HMP Pentonville, and has had to work twice as hard as teachers in the community to make sure his learners could access the teaching and educational materials to continue learning.

José Aguiar

Tutor Award

Meet the winner
Male sat on sofa looking to caomera

2021

English Language Learning Award

Hasan arrived in the UK in January 2018 speaking no English and relying on Google translate to communicate. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to studying English to help him to get a job, pass his driving test, and feel like a part of his community.

Hasan Jasim

English Language Learning Award

Meet the winner
Three females and a male in group hug

2021

President's Award

CARAS is a South London charity that specialises in working with young people and adults who are seeking asylum or have a refugee background.

CARAS ESOL Project

President's Award

Meet the winner
Male stood outside detached house

2021

Finalist

Joshua always had big ambitions to be a fashion designer, but had a difficult start to life and had lacked the right support. He enrolled at the Grimsby Institute while living at the YMCA.

Joshua Wolfe

Finalist

Meet the winner
Female sat table with laptop

2021

Finalist

Karen first started a phonics course to support her youngest son who struggles with learning. However, she soon realised the wider benefits of education for her own health and wellbeing, which had been severely affected by post-natal depression and a nervous breakdown a few years earlier.

Karen Davies

Finalist

Meet the winner
Shoulder shot of female standing in front of a brick wall

2021

Finalist

Michéle works with adults of all levels, teaching Creative Writing as a tool for people to articulate and understand their feelings. Michele’s teaching is tailored to each individual and provides learners with a platform to express themselves through poetry, creative writing and open mic nights.

Michéle Beck

Finalist

Meet the winner
Holding page for Keep Learning, Keep Well webinar

2021

Finalist

Lockdown put an end to face-to-face learning for many, but adult community education provider Skills & Learning didn’t let that get in the way.

Skills & Learning ACE – Keep Learning, Keep Well

Finalist

Meet the winner
Female sat at desk looking at folder, PC in background

2021

Finalist

Nicola’s main motivation to return to learning after 12 years of stay-at-home parenting was getting back into work. However, she soon started to see the wider benefits of learning, also sparking an interest in a career-change to become a counsellor.

Nicola Williams

Finalist

Meet the winner
Birdseye view of students sat at desks exam style

2021

Finalist

Get into Working in Construction is a partnership between Hopwood Hall College and Inside Connections which works with prisoners and prison leavers to gain qualifications and secure employment upon release.

Get into Working in Construction with CSCS Card

Finalist

Meet the winner
Head shot of female in outdoor space

2020

Patron's Award

Education had been a negative experience for Hannah in the past and she had left school when she was 13 as a result of bullying. At age 28, motivated by a desire to better support her children with their school work, she decided it was the right time for her to return to learning.

Hannah Wilkins

Patron’s Award winner

Meet the winner
Male sat in college environment (with female back to camera)

2020

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Brandon was diagnosed with Autism and although he attended a specialist school, as a teenager he found his educational choices and potential were limited. Studying at Derwentside College has transformed Brandon’s life and his academic and career prospects.

Brandon Layton

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Meet the winner
Female sat in classroom with flash cards

2020

New Directions Award

An Introduction into Health and Social Care course run by City College Peterborough at a local care home gave Laura the opportunity she needed to overcome her anxiety, discover her passion for caring for others, and embark on a new career.

Laura Dunn-Green

New Directions Award

Meet the winner
Female giving a male model a hair cut

2020

Finalist

Naomi was at a point in her life where she was worried about what the future may hold. With the help of her support worker she identified barbering as a career she wanted to pursue and signed up for a level 2 course with Essex Adult and Community Learning College.

Naomi Mellersh-Tett

Finalist

Meet the winner
Female applying make-up to a female model

2020

Finalist

Anna had embarked on numerous hairdressing courses since leaving school, but her circumstances meant that each time she was unable to complete her qualifications and progress.

Anna Palmer

Finalist

Meet the winner
Black young man doing mechanical work on a bus

2020

Finalist

M-Futures was created in partnership with apprenticeship provider Total People, Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Working Skills Group who recognised a gap in the current apprenticeship offer around construction.

M-Futures

Finalist

Meet the winner
Black female doing written work with PCs in background

2020

Finalist

Karen’s learning journey began with an entry level 3 functional skills English course at Adult Education Wolverhampton. Through her hard work and dedication she has quickly progressed to a GCSE course and volunteered with the Talk English programme to help others in the community improve their English language skills.

Karen Hanley-Brooks

Finalist

Meet the winner
Male smiling to camera with work book on desk & white board in background

2020

Finalist

As a maths and science tutor, Paul saw that many pupils would benefit from additional help with maths, but few have access to specialist support. He decided to start running free maths classes for adults in the community, so that they could better help their children with homework.

Paul Slater

Finalist

Meet the winner
Man standing smiling to camera with British Army posters in background

2020

Finalist

Sion is employed by the Army Catering Training Trust to deliver apprenticeship support to the chefs of the Army. He has supported approximately 5,000 learners in his tenure and has also developed a range of opportunities for further learning outside of the usual military education route.

Sion Farrell

Finalist

Meet the winner
Male using a plane to shave wood

2020

Learning Provision Award

Motiv8

Learning Provision Award

Meet the winner
Female sat on floor in class room with colleague

2020

English Language Learning Award

Motivated by a desire to support her son who was born with various medical conditions and who has special educational needs, Rubi enrolled at Tameside Adult and Community Education (ACE) to learn English.

Rubi Naz

English Language Learning Award

Meet the winner
Female looking at male holding up batik art work

2020

Learning for Health Award

Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service has worked in partnership with Waltham Forest Social Prescribing to set up a range of creative courses in locations such as Walthamstow Wetlands, Lloyd Park and Epping Forest Visitor Centre in Chingford.

Health and Wellbeing Programme

Learning for Health Award

Meet the winner
Male showing laptop screen to colleague in classroom

2020

Tutor Award

Evripides works for Derby Adult Learning Service teaching English and maths from entry level through to level 2. His innovative, creative and functional lessons have supported many vulnerable and marginalised people to reach their potential and surpass their own expectations.

Evripides Evriviades

Tutor Award

Meet the winner
Male holding certificate sat at computer desk

2020

Social Impact Award

Phil is a volunteer Digital Champion with Clarion Housing, and runs a regular computer drop-in session at a sheltered housing scheme for the over 55s in Basingstoke. He also provides peer support to other volunteers through the Digital Unite online forum.

Phil Branigan

Social Impact Award

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Two females sat at desk with laptop (one with back to camera)

2020

Return to Learning Award

Liz’s experience of education as a child was traumatic, but she took a leap of faith and enrolled on an Introduction to Adult Social Care course with Islington Adult Community Learning.

Liz Collins

Return to Learning Award

Meet the winner
Male standing with police panda cars in background

2020

Learning for Work Award

A course offered online by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College stimulated Paul’s interest in learning about mental health issues, learning difficulties and disabilities, as he could see the direct relevance to his work as a police inspector with Warwickshire Police.

Paul Barnsley

Learning for Work Award

Meet the winner
Learners looking at presentation with tutor

2020

Employer Award

The Initial Operational Training Programme (IOTP) designed and delivered by the National Crime Agency (NCA) supports intelligence and investigation training through an accredited flexible learning and development framework. 

National Crime Agency

Employer Award

Meet the winner
Female and male sat on bench outdoors

2020

President's Award

Positive People, a partnership project led by social enterprise Pluss, operates across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset offering a learning lifeline to the most socially excluded and vulnerable people in society.

Positive People – Pluss

President's Award

Meet the winner
Female in pink headwrap with plate of food at side

2019

Finalist

During 2018, Good Things Foundation was funded by the Government Equalities Office to deliver activities to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Representation of the People Act and Qualification of Women Act. They created Voicebox Cafes as an innovative, nationwide project to engage young women through a programme of activities covering education,  participation and celebration of UK democracy.

Voicebox Cafes

Finalist

Meet the winner
Head shot of mature lady in outside space

2019

Finalist

Sylvia began attending poetry classes at City Lit in 1999 at the age of 71. Despite challenges of age and mobility she continues to travel by public transport each week to attend classes, and her work has been published in numerous poetry journals.

Sylvia Rowbottom

Finalist

Meet the winner
Two males looking at each other - gym environment

2019

Finalist

A motorcycle accident left Karl potentially unable to walk unaided for the rest of his life. His dramatic rehabilitation to full mobility led him to become a qualified personal trainer and during his work with clients he realised his own experience could help others with their recovery. He is now studying for a sports therapy degree at the University of East London.

Karl Anthony

Finalist

Meet the winner
Female with fist under chin, glass of drink at the side

2019

Finalist

Julie’s transformational learning journey began when she was signposted by another training provider to East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Building Better Opportunities (BBO)  programme. The programme helped her to build her confidence and skills, and progress to further learning and employment. Julie went on to support others in her community to learn and get into work.

Julie Redpath

Finalist

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2019

Finalist

Dace is from Latvia and is profoundly deaf. Her first language is Latvian Sign Language but she has since become competent in British Sign Language. She is studying at the Centre for Deaf Education at City Lit to improve her English, in particular her grammar, reading and writing skills.

Dace Mikisite

Finalist

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Female standing next to Stateside logo banner

2019

Finalist

Having successfully completed a level 2 business administration apprenticeship, Ashleigh continued working full-time and returned to Bolton College to embark on an access to higher education course. Ashleigh has now progressed onto a degree apprenticeship with Stateside Foods.

Ashleigh Emmason

Finalist

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2019

Return to Learning Award

At school Stuart was told to sit at  the back of the classroom because he couldn’t read or write. Aged 50, he began attending the dyslexia study skills class run by Oldham Lifelong Learning Service. Stuart’s return to learning has opened up new and better job opportunities, and had a profound impact on his life.

Stuart Ferriss

Return to Learning Award

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2019

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Living in care, Diana experienced a difficult start in life, and has had to overcome significant barriers on her learning journey into higher education. However she is now studying a BSc (Hons) medical science at De Montfort University with the ambition to become a doctor.

Diana Omokore

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

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2019

English Language Learning Award

Brought up in a traditional Chinese family in Malaysia and educated in a school which did not teach English, Seong never imagined that she would have a second chance to better her education.

Seong Chua

English Language Learning Award

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2019

Learning for Health Award

Marie’s learning journey began when she was referred to Adult Education Wolverhampton’s Like Minds pottery course by her psychologist to help her to overcome severe depression.

Marie Smith

Learning for Health Award

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2019

Learning Provision Award

Nurturing Recovery is run in partnership by Bridgwater & Taunton College, North Somerset Council and a number of other local agencies to support adults with a range of addictions and mental health issues through tailored horticulture programmes. 

Nurturing Recovery

Learning Provision Award

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2019

Social Impact Award

Dr Peter Shukie teaches at the University Centre at Blackburn College with a focus on technology enhanced learning and educational practice in a digital age.

Peter Shukie

Social Impact Award

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2019

Tutor Award

Fiona was a trained secondary teacher but losing her hearing meant she couldn’t return to a standard classroom. When she started attending lipreading classes at City Lit it rekindled her interest and enthusiasm for teaching.

Fiona Pickett

Tutor Award

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2019

New Directions Award

Attending family learning courses run by Kent Adult Education with support from the family liaison officer at her children’s school gave Vicky the boost she needed to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife.

Vicky Seagars

New Directions Award

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2019

Employer Award

Keoghs law firm pride themselves on investing in learning to support the development of home-grown skills and talent. 

Keoghs

Employer Award

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2019

Learning for Work Award

Emma wanted to pursue a career as a paramedic, but didn’t have the required qualifications. Her learning journey began when she decided to retake her English, maths and science GCSEs at Petroc College in Devon.

Emma Searle

Learning for Work Award

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