Adult Learners' Forum for Aberdeenshire

Our Adult Learning Stories

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  Natalie's Story

  over 2 years ago
  

  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... Continue reading

  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.
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  Amanda's Story

  over 2 years ago
  

  Following a mental health breakdown, I lost all confidence and self-esteem and motivation, and I knew that I had to so something to help me get out of a black hole.

  I was extremely fortunate to get notified about STEPS (a CLD delivered self-development programme) whereby through working with others online, I began to find my identity again and the confidence began to flow. I also took in the Self-esteem Garden and Power Tools programmes.

  These courses have given me the confidence to start my own business to become a networking group Leader for Mum’s in Business Group International (MIB)... Continue reading

  Following a mental health breakdown, I lost all confidence and self-esteem and motivation, and I knew that I had to so something to help me get out of a black hole.

  I was extremely fortunate to get notified about STEPS (a CLD delivered self-development programme) whereby through working with others online, I began to find my identity again and the confidence began to flow. I also took in the Self-esteem Garden and Power Tools programmes.

  These courses have given me the confidence to start my own business to become a networking group Leader for Mum’s in Business Group International (MIB) for South Aberdeenshire and the Mearns.

  Many collaborations with others have led to me becoming a best-selling co-author of ‘Letters to My teenage Self (vol.2) where I highlight teenage anxieties around body image. I was nominated as a finalist for the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Local Hero Award. It has been an amazing journey over the past three years and adult learning played instrumental part to my self-belief and abilities.

  To other adults grab every opportunity, facilitators are a tremendous support and will help you on your learning path. It is never too late. Follow my motto: ‘Get out of the comfort zone as nothing ever grows there.’

  I would hope that people will get on board and further their learning to help their self-development and mental health and achieve their goals in life.