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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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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