Adult Learning changes Lives and Life chances
Adult Learners Week
RACC (Richmond Adult Community College) was a buzz of activity for Adult Learners Week between15th and 21st May 2010. Adult Learners' Week is the UK's largest and longest running learning campaign. Held each May, it encourages thousands of adults, whatever their age and background, to give learning a go. RACC offered 78 free taster courses for adults to take part in learning from Pilates to Jewellery Making and Computing. In addition local and national organisations came in to give public lectures such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on how to look after your personal safety, Enterprise UK on starting a business from home and the Metropolitan Police on how to be a Special Constable for the Olympics.
Christina Conroy OBE College Principal & Chief Executive said "We extended a warm welcome to all adults during Adult Learner’s Week particularly those who thought learning wasn't for them. A small step on the learning ladder can get you started on a new life and career. We are very proud that we had two outstanding learners that received awards during Adult Learner’s Week who clearly demonstrate that learning changes lives and life chances."
The College is proud to announce two outstanding learners who received regional prizes during Adult Learner’s Week.
Best College Learners 2010
Tayler Donnelly:
Tayler Donnelly has won a prize for being one of South London Colleges' Best Learners. The annual award ceremony celebrating the achievements of learners was hosted by Lord Tope at the House of Lords on 20th May.
Tayler joined the NEETS (Not in Education, Employment and Training) Foundation Learning Programme: Level 1 Certificate in Multimedia in January 2010 aged 17 following a difficult time at secondary school where his dyslexia hindered his progress.
However, Tayler has flourished on his current course and has demonstrated excellent time management skills with regard to both his studies at college and also his extracurricular activities. He recently took part in an International Paintballing league tournament in Spain whilst continuing his studies at RACC. He actively supports other students on his course, and in particular has befriended and supported an autistic learner in his group whilst encouraging his social growth. He shows a consistently mature approach to his own emotional, social and learning needs and those of other learners.
Tayler’s motivation and participation, attendance, punctuality and enthusiasm in the media class have been commented upon by all his tutors. He has proved himself to be a diligent and self-disciplined learner with an enormous aptitude for visual communication.
He has a natural photographer's eye, and has produced some truly stunning images taken by his own young hand. As he progresses on the course, his enthusiasm and confidence in his own creative ability is going from strength to strength as he discovers the potential of today's graphics software to achieve his design aims.
Both his commitment and talent deserve recognition, and he aims to move forward to the Level 2 course next year, eventually pursuing a successful and rewarding career in visual design.
Taylor is pictured here with his award which he received from Clare Arnold, Senior Account Director for London, Skills Funding Agency.
Carl Treddenick:
Carl Treddenick has won the London Region Access to HE Award for Adult Learners' Week from the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE) and collected his award on 18th May 2010 at Waltham Forest College.
Carl developed an alcohol and drug dependency some years ago. In 2003, following a serious assault, he was left for dead beside Twickenham Bridge and, although he recovered physically from this incident, he had a nervous breakdown and became a rough sleeper on the streets of Richmond, sleeping on the riverbank and eating out of the bins on Richmond Green. Fortunately, he was given a place in a SPEAR hostel and with help for his alcohol and drug problems he eventually got a flat in Richmond in 2005. Some complementary therapy sessions at the Vineyard Project motivated Carl to come to RACC in September 2006 and enrol on the ITEC Holistic Massage course, with a view to becoming a qualified Complementary Therapist. Despite some emotional and physical problems, including a broken leg, Carl stayed motivated and committed to the courses and passed the ITEC Anatomy & Physiology Diploma in July 2007, the ITEC Holistic Massage Diploma in June 2008 and the ITEC On-Site Massage Diploma in July 2009.
He acquired a Credit (Merit) Grade in all these Level 3 Qualification Diplomas.
Carl has been employed as a Complementary Therapist, working with disadvantaged and homeless people. His achievements have also given him the confidence to pursue a long held ambition to become a midwife. To this end he enrolled on the Access to Health & Human Sciences course at Richmond Adult Community College in September 2009.
He has been offered an interview at Kingston University and is hoping to be accepted on to the BSC Midwifery course starting in September 2010.
Carl said that he has his Complementary Therapies Tutor Margaret Paul to thank for his progress and success "she infused me with the willingness and the desire to learn and has helped me change my life."
Geoff Varrall, Chair of the Board of Governors who attended the award ceremony with Carl comments, ‘It was a great privilege to go with Carl and his tutor Margaret Paul to see him collect his award. Carl provides an inspirational example of the transformative affect adult education can have on any or all of us. He has overcome significant life challenges and now looks forward to a long successful career as a midwife.’
