Laura’s award shows the power of learning
Laura Davies showed the value of adult learning in Kirklees after overcoming extreme social anxiety to win a personal award.
Laura was the toast of the town as she collected her award from Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire Mayor, on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
It was a remarkable achievement for Laura, from Meltham, Huddersfield, as her social anxiety prevented her from engaging with others and she used to spend most of her time confined to her home.
Laura’s journey to empowerment serves as a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges and underscores the vital role adult education and community support plays in personal growth.
Her life saw big changes after participating in the Write Time for Wellbeing course, at Kirklees Recovery College.
Residents of Kirklees, over the age of 19 can enrol onto the many courses provided by Kirklees Adult Learning, with a wide-ranging curriculum available across local community settings.
The tools taught during the course helped Laura to express her emotions, manage her thoughts and unburden herself through free writing.
Heather Rymer, Success Centre tutor with Kirklees Council, expressed immense pride in Laura’s accomplishments.
Heather said:
“It was evident after the very first session that Laura possessed a natural talent for writing poetry and supporting her peers. Her beautifully crafted poems resonated deeply with fellow learners, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences.”
Laura then volunteered on subsequent Write Time courses where her empathy and encouragement helped learners with mental health issues and learning disabilities fully engage in the sessions. She even composed personalised poems for each participant, celebrating their achievements and personalities.
Cllr Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet member for Education and Communities, said:
“Laura’s resilience, inspiration and commitment to helping others exemplify the transformative power of adult learning.
“She is a brilliant example of what can be achieved and is even giving back to the same community by becoming a peer support worker. We’re proud of our learning offer in Kirklees and Laura shows that learning certainly doesn’t have to end when we finish school, college or higher education.”
The WYCA awards celebrated adult learners from across West Yorkshire who had used learning to improve their lives, leading to improved confidence, skills and employability.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“Education opens the door to life-changing opportunities at any age. “
Kirklees Council Adult Learning supports over 1000 adults each year through courses that focus on health & wellbeing, personal development and life skills and employability.
A new round of courses is now available starting this September. More details and how to sign up can be found here – Community learning and adult education courses | Kirklees Council
Our Kirklees Futures
Kirklees Adult Learning supports inclusion and equity, which are key elements of Our Kirklees Futures – the district-wide vision for learning. Our Kirklees Futures aims to ensure learners of all ages are equipped with vital skills for life.
For more information, please visit the Our Kirklees Futures webpage.