Adult Learners’ Week Success

One of our students, David Cox, has been named regional winner at the Adult Learners’ Week Awards this week in London.

David, 75, struggled to read or write until he became his wife’s carer aged 71. This was a catalyst for David to return to education to improve his literacy and computing skills. His achievements have now been recognised through a Learning Life Skills Individual Award in the South East as part of Adult Learners’ Week.

Realising he would need these skills to look after his wife properly, David visited us – literally shaking with nerves – to enquire about courses. He began his first Learn to Read and Spell class that summer. Having received very little formal education after attending school during the war years, David found these classes very difficult at first. However, despite suffering from severe dyslexia, David persevered and his determination and hard work meant that he was soon seeing results. As David’s literacy skills improved, so did his confidence, and soon he was able to assist and encourage his classmates with their progression.

When David went on to sign up for an Absolute Beginners computing class, his tutor was not aware of David’s background and therefore made no allowances for him. David coped remarkably with the printed hand-outs and PowerPoint presentations that were used to teach the class, and has progressed excellently.

David’s nominator, Charles Simmonds, commented: “David won because he has overcome great challenges and is a real inspiration to many other learners. Through his learning, he also shows the profound effect that adult learning can have on an individual, his family and the wider community as well.”

David also shows that it is never too late to learn something new and change your life. For information on the courses and opportunities that Aspire Sussex can offer, please contact us on 0345 6 01 01 61 or look at our courses online.