First lady of Rossendale praises college for helping her success

By Nelson and Colne College

17 Apr 2019

samara-barnes-certificate-v2.jpg

A newly-crowned woman of the year has praised the courses she has studied at Accrington and Rossendale College for giving her the confidence, skills and opportunities to be successful.

Mum-of-two Samara Barnes, 37, from Haslingden, has been awarded the title of Rossendale Woman of the Year at a glittering ceremony held by Rossendale Hospice for the work she has done establishing the Red Box Project in her home borough.

As well as working full-time in a managerial position at Barnardo’s, Samara also received nominations for the accolade for the work she does as a peer mentor nationally for the charity TB Alert and for her regular donations of breast milk to the Human Milk Bank supporting prematurely born babies. 

Reflecting on the award success, Samara says the content of the courses, the knowledge she has gained through her studies and the support she has received from Accrington and Rossendale College’s staff have been invaluable in the work she has done, which formed the basis of the nominations.

Samara said: “I’m still a bit overwhelmed with the award and surprised that five different people took the time to nominate me for the accolade.

“Looking back, after completing the Foundation Degree in Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work I did, I never thought I would have had the ability to go on to do a Level 6 which I am completing now in BA (Hons) Health and Applied Social Studies. It is testament to the college’s amazing staff who inspired me to study at a higher level.

“Some of the modules and the theory I learned in community development and project development have been crucial to helping get the Red Box Project established in the area so quickly, and to get the community on board.

“Other modules in social policy really encouraged me to join in with the lobby of the government to campaign to end ‘period poverty’ in schools. In the Spring statement the government has pledged to fund a scheme to make free sanitary products available in secondary schools but the campaign will continue to extend it to primary schools.”

Samara’s Red Box Project work has seen the number of donation points in Rossendale rapidly grow, and there are now boxes in 55 locations in and around the borough where females can access sanitary products.

Samara added: “Accrington and Rossendale College has played a significant role in my life, and it has also opened additional doors for me with the Red Box Project. I have been able to support female students at the college with sanitary products, and also since the merger, at Lancashire Adult Learning and Nelson and Colne College.

“I’ve had a very good experience studying with Accrington and Rossendale College, both as a 16 to 18-year-old learner, and as an adult learner studying Higher Education courses.

“My daughter is now of an age where we are looking at colleges for her education after secondary school, and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the college.”

New Department for Education figures show that Accrington and Rossendale College is in the top 10 colleges in the country for 16-18 timely Apprenticeship achievement, at all levels – jumping 50 places from 59th to ninth. The college is also now 10th nationally for 16-18 classroom learner achievement at Level 3, moving up 91 places from a previous position of 101st in the country.

A Year 8, 9 and 10 Open Event will take place at Accrington and Rossendale College on Wednesday 8 May from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. This is a great chance to learn more about the college’s provision and extracurricular offer, to tour the campus and view its high-tech facilities, and meet expert tutors and members of the Careers Team. Visitors can also take part in a range of exciting ‘have a go’ activities.

For more information about Accrington and Rossendale College contact 01254 389933 or visit www.accross.ac.uk

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin