Success in the Making

Getting back into learning – my story

May 13th, 2011 with No Comments

To mark Adult Learners’ Week which runs from Saturday 14 May to Friday 20 May, Sarah Jones writes about her experience. A single parent of five who has suffered from mental ill health, she got back into learning as part of her treatment for her illness.

“I was kind of lost in existence, just dependent on financial support from the government. I didn’t have any sense of direction, made a lot of bad choices in my life, which I’ve learnt from, but I knew I needed to make a change in order to make a difference but I just needed something constructive to do to occupy my brain space.

“Through getting back into education I’ve learnt a lot about myself but the biggest part of my journey is meeting people such as the adult learning advisors that can relate and empathise and think outside the box.

“There’s a lot of people that are maybe segregated and not aware of what opportunities are actually available in Hackney. There is also a stigma that the community in Hackney don’t want to do things, but it’s very wrong.

“I’ve since successfully completed an apprenticeship which led to a job within the field of mental health. It’s work that I’m passionate about as its a journey I’ve been along myself.

I like to think that I can influence another person in Hackney to make a better choice and change direction. Unfortunately that job has now gone due to government cuts so I’m now actively looking for employment and willing to offer my services voluntarily to help motivate others.

“It hasn’t been easy, it’s been very hard but my motivation is that I can’t give up, I’ve come too far, and I am very proud of what I’ve done, and I hope to go on to do many further things.

She added: “I’ve done this for Hackney, because I’m proud of the community where I’ve come from, and I’m proud of who I am and I’m glad to be a positive role model in the life of my children now.”

Over 90 free classes are on offer as part of Adult Learners’ Week. To find out more click here