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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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

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2023_07_05_L&W_Awards_2023-1003 - Copy

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

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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

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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

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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

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Black female standing with world map in background

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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