A celebration of adult learning

By We Love Creative

13 Jul 2022

The achievements of adult learners were applauded at an awards ceremony celebrating strength against adversity, selfless acts of kindness and a true determination to succeed.

Lancashire Adult Learning held its annual awards at Winckley Square in Preston where the learners, many of whom have faced significant obstacles, had their achievements recognised with an array of STAR awards.

Awards were presented for progress made in academic subjects such as English, ICT, and Mathematics alongside awards for contributions in areas such as Health and Social Care and Volunteering.

Phil Wilkinson, chair of governors at Nelson and Colne College Group, said: “The services provided by Lancashire Adult Learning play a vital role in the lives of all the learners we serve at the college group and, as a result, our wider communities.

“Our learners display such levels of determination towards improving their own lives, it is essential that their efforts are recognised.

“Over the course of the evening we heard inspirational stories of individuals who have overcome staggering odds to forge better lives for themselves and go on to make real contributions to our communities.”

Among the evening’s winners was Carl Ablott.

Against a history of addiction, homelessness, and dyslexia, Carl went on to enrol on a Health and Social Care course and demonstrated such resolve that he has since moved from voluntary work to paid employment.

Along the way, he achieved a Level 1 and Level 2 in Mental Health and is now working towards a Level 3 in Mental Health as well as functional studies in English and Maths.

Another of the evening’s victors was Catherine Gandolfo, proving that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to learning or to keeping fit.

Catherine won the ‘Health and Wellbeing Star’ award for helping others to safely exercise at home during the pandemic.

On her award, Catherine said: “I’ve always done keep fit and enjoy yoga but I hadn’t been doing any exercise for a while and wanted to get back into it. I saw the course with Lancashire Adult Learning and thought I’d give it a go.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and a great way to build new friendships. This was particularly true during the pandemic when loneliness became a real issue for many.

“The course has since led me onto other Lancashire Adult Learning courses, including Italian, Mindfulness, Relaxation and IT.”

The evening’s celebrations ended with Andrea Horrocks taking the ‘Overall Learner of the Year’ award.

Andrea first enrolled on LAL’s adult community courses in 2019 to gain knowledge, skills and certificates to support her role as a volunteer role within the community.

Since then she has become the Founder and Director of watchUSgrow, a charitable organisation based in Chorley which meets the needs of local community members experiencing issues with substance misuse, mental health, deprivation, isolation, or societal marginalisation.

On the tales of personal achievement, Phil added: “Carl, Claire, Andrea, and all of our other learners show just what people can accomplish when they have the desire to succeed and a great support network around them.

“Whatever a person’s motivation for returning to learning, there has never been a better time to do it.

And, with Nelson & Colne College Group recently deemed ‘Outstanding’ across the board in a recent Ofsted inspection, adult learners in our region have the ideal environment in which to resume their studies and build new lives for themselves.”

If you would like to know more about our adult learning courses, visit www.lal.ac.uk

Latest news

1

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

2

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

3

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

4

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

5

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin