Award winners

Our award winners highlight the vast array of people who gain so much from learning as adults.

Their stories truly inspire all of us

They help us recognise that learning is transformational, exciting, rewarding and possible at any age, for any reason and can be for all of us.

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Female in pink headwrap with plate of food at side

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

Finalist

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Head shot of mature lady in outside space

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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Two males looking at each other - gym environment

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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Female with fist under chin, glass of drink at the side

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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Female sitting holding a

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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Female standing next to Stateside logo banner

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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Head shot of male smiling to camera

2019

Return to Learning Award

At school Stuart was told to sit at  the back of the classroom because he couldn’t read or write. Aged 50, he began attending the dyslexia study skills class run by Oldham Lifelong Learning Service. Stuart’s return to learning has opened up new and better job opportunities, and had a profound impact on his life.

Stuart Ferriss

Return to Learning Award

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Female in classroom with disposable drink

2019

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

Living in care, Diana experienced a difficult start in life, and has had to overcome significant barriers on her learning journey into higher education. However she is now studying a BSc (Hons) medical science at De Montfort University with the ambition to become a doctor.

Diana Omokore

Outstanding Individual Learner Award

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Black female standing with world map in background

2019

English Language Learning Award

Brought up in a traditional Chinese family in Malaysia and educated in a school which did not teach English, Seong never imagined that she would have a second chance to better her education.

Seong Chua

English Language Learning Award

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Female holding up pottery work

2019

Learning for Health Award

Marie’s learning journey began when she was referred to Adult Education Wolverhampton’s Like Minds pottery course by her psychologist to help her to overcome severe depression.

Marie Smith

Learning for Health Award

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Males and Female in a greenhouse - female holding papers

2019

Learning Provision Award

Nurturing Recovery is run in partnership by Bridgwater & Taunton College, North Somerset Council and a number of other local agencies to support adults with a range of addictions and mental health issues through tailored horticulture programmes. 

Nurturing Recovery

Learning Provision Award

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Male sat in classroom looking at female with back to camera

2019

Social Impact Award

Dr Peter Shukie teaches at the University Centre at Blackburn College with a focus on technology enhanced learning and educational practice in a digital age.

Peter Shukie

Social Impact Award

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Female smiling to camera - background blurred

2019

Tutor Award

Fiona was a trained secondary teacher but losing her hearing meant she couldn’t return to a standard classroom. When she started attending lipreading classes at City Lit it rekindled her interest and enthusiasm for teaching.

Fiona Pickett

Tutor Award

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Female looking down preparing activity work

2019

New Directions Award

Attending family learning courses run by Kent Adult Education with support from the family liaison officer at her children’s school gave Vicky the boost she needed to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife.

Vicky Seagars

New Directions Award

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Two females smiling at each other with male looking at his work

2019

Employer Award

Keoghs law firm pride themselves on investing in learning to support the development of home-grown skills and talent. 

Keoghs

Employer Award

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Head shot of female paramedic

2019

Learning for Work Award

Emma wanted to pursue a career as a paramedic, but didn’t have the required qualifications. Her learning journey began when she decided to retake her English, maths and science GCSEs at Petroc College in Devon.

Emma Searle

Learning for Work Award

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Male sat looking at images

2019

President's Award

City Lit first opened their doors for enrolments in September 1919 and in their first century have supported well over a million adults in London to learn. 

City Lit

President's Award

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Male using machinery in workshop

2019

Patron's Award

Michael grew up in care and was struggling to find his place in the world. Following a reconciliation with his birth family he discovered that his father, brother and sister were all studying at university and he was motivated to work hard to achieve the same for himself.

Michael Shakil

Patron's Award

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