Adult learners from around Bridgend County Borough were honoured at the fifth annual Adult Community Awards held at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, on 26 May 2010.
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Adult Community Learning hosted the awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students throughout the academic year. Forty two learners from every part of the county borough were presented with certificates in recognition of their success, both academically, creatively and personally.
Ten categories of awards were given out including ICT, basic skills, crafts, digital photography, preparing to teach and a tutor’s award to name a few. Attendees heard many inspiring stories of individuals who have successfully completed courses whether to learn new skill, for fun or to catch up on learning missed at school.
The winning students had many positive things to say about the tutors and the courses on offer. Aelwyn Barwick, aged 84 was presented with a certificate in the digital photography and digital imaging category, she said: “You still want to continue learning, it doesn’t matter what age you are. Trying out different courses widens your life experience.”
Shane Jeffreys was presented with the Engaging Learners in Basic Skills award, which aims to develop learners’ numeracy and literacy skills. When Shane started the course he lacked confidence, but he soon flourished. He said: “Adult learning is not like being at school – you don’t get told off! My motivation to do the course was to help my three-year-old daughter to learn to read.”
The awards were presented by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor David Sage, Councillor Jeff Tildesley, Councillor Pat Hacking, Janice Gregory AM, Councillor Huw David, Councillor Alana Davies, Group Manager of Libraries John Woods, Project Manager of Bridges into Work Sam Edwards, Chris Franks from the WEA, Head of the council’s Healthy Living Mark Shephard and Donna Hooper from the council’s Adult Community Learning and People.
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources Councillor Huw David said: “The awards evening was a fantastic event and demonstrated the important role that Adult Community Learning classes play in the students’ health and wellbeing, as well as providing a valuable route that is used by many as a stepping stone to further learning or the workplace.”
The courses are open to people of all ages to take part in academic and non-academic courses, such as languages, arts and crafts, cookery, IT skills, digital photography, health and beauty and holistic therapies, personal development with many leading to an OCN qualification.
To find out more about courses available this September, please call (01656) 642728 during office hours or email [email protected]
Award categories:
Learner’s Awards – ICT
Presented to: Dianna Evans, John Donnelly, Mercy Lanman, Helen Jenkins, Joyce Matthews, Jane Owen, Helen Shakell.
Learners’ awards – Engaging Learners in Basic Skills Partnership Award
Presented to: Shane Jeffreys.
Learners’ Awards – Craft
Presented to: Emma Law, Phyl Morgan, Ruth Oliver, Lisa Rigby, Victoria Davies, Mandy Thorne, Nicola Williams, Susan Gilby, Mo Jones, Janice Taylor.
Learners’ Awards – Digital Photography and Digital Imaging
Presented to: Aelwyn Barwick, Sandra Wiggins
Learners’ Awards – General
Presented to: Richard Parsons, Michael Scott, Gregory Evans, Diane Morgan and Jeff James.
Bridges Partnership award – Noddfa
Presented to: Susan Cooke, Hayley Davies, Christine Guild, Pauline Jewitt, Margaret Nicholas, Carol Wood, Kay Roberts, Rosalind Shaw.
Bridges Partnership Award
Presented to: Lee Hearne
WEA Partnership Award
Presented to: Carol Carter
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector
Presented to: Charlotte Agius, Louise Galllivan, Stephen Jenkins, Scott Saunders, Rebecca Tyler, Keith Treharne, Jeni Morgan and Ron Davies
Tutor Award
Presented to: Linda Edwards, a tutor in flower arranging and Phil Lewis, a tutor in IT who has worked for Adult Community Learning for six years.
