Deborah Ward is a prize winning learner from St Helens, rewarded for her success in improving her IT skills with learndirect despite suffering from ill health.
With new found confidence to enjoy the family computer with her children she has since improved her maths and English skills too.
Better IT skills – better family time
Deborah bought her children a computer, but not knowing how to use it herself was her motivation to learn.
Through taking learndirect courses Deborah has gained an IT qualification. And with that under her belt she has since continued learning, and has now achieved maths and English qualifications too.
Achieving the impossible
Deborah first enrolled on a learndirect course whilst recovering from a serious brain injury. With support from learndirect, Deborah showed a great deal of courage as she battled the effects of her condition to change her life.
“My memory loss and tiredness meant that I could only study for half an hour a week and I had to be helped to the centre by a voluntary worker,” says Deborah.
“Gradually, my health began to improve and I was able to fit more learning into the week, which helped me no end to move through my courses.”
“Thanks to the support I received I’ve been able to achieve many things which seemed quite impossible before,” she says.
More confidence with more skills
Last year, Deborah won the North West Region Special Judging Panel award at the regional learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.
“It feels like such a huge achievement just to be nominated. I can’t
believe I’ve come this far. I’ve got so much more confidence now.
“Winning the award was totally unexpected, and my whole family is very proud. I’d wholeheartedly recommend the learndirect experience,” says Deborah.
What next?
Reading with your children is a great way to improve their maths and
English skills.
Get your hands on Where
did the River Go? - a free book to support parents reading with
their children.
Release your learning potential - get tips on how to motivate yourself to take on a new learning challenge by registering for our free Nothing Can Stop You book.