Natalie's Story

Community Learning has given me so many things, confidence and a recognition for my volunteering, and awareness of the existing skills that I have already.

My latest CLD learning achievement was an adult achievement award. It has really helped me to understand what kind of learner I am, and the diverse ways of learning. This has helped me within my ceramics, to pass on my skills to other people, and hold workshops. I have previously done a volunteering skills award, Steps Course, ICT, and numeracy SQA courses.

My learning has helped me to learn quicker and has helped me to cater for different people. So, when I am running ceramic workshops, I can appeal to more people. It has also made me recognise my skills and helped my confidence and encourages me to set up a group and help people with the same disability as me. I am also going to help CLD to run a local ICT support group.

I would recommend adult learning, I think that people will be surprised in what benefits they get, for instance when I did numeracy with CLD, my cooking got a lot better so that is something that you would not necessarily think about, but it is true.

I hope that others will see me, a person with multiple disabilities and it inspires them to go forward and try learning. I can do it, and so can you! I also want to help break the stigma just because you did not achieve things in your school days does not mean you cannot go forward and learn now; learning is for everyone. Age or disability not a barrier to learning, be positive and give it a go.

Natalie’s ceramics at the Beachie Visitor centre as part of Northeast Open Studios.