Retiree helping adult learners turn lives around after re-joining education with Coleg Cambria

LYNN MULLEN gained so much from an Essential Skills course she now volunteers to recruit and support other adult learners.

Lynn, from Wrexham, attended the fully-funded Maths and English group at Plas Pentwyn Resource Centre in Coedpoeth as an observer, supporting a relative suffering with depression and anxiety.

The Coleg Cambria qualification had been recommended by another family member, who had taken part after being encouraged to do so by the Women’s Aid organisation.

Stepping Stones, a charity providing therapeutic services across North Wales to adults sexually abused as children, also refers people to the college’s free outreach programmes.

This community integration and positive teaching methods aided the recoveries of both women, and the warm, welcoming environment led to Lynn enrolling on the course herself.

After achieving Levels 1 and 2 she has since gone on to assist tutors on recruitment drives in the local area and at Yale college in Wrexham.

“I am so passionate about the course that I was more than happy to go back as a volunteer to help class members, as well as encouraging new people to join,” said Lynn.

“In fact, I was so keen to sign people up I even tried to recruit the Principal by mistake!”

She added: “I could not recommend the Essential Skills courses more; I had not taken a school exam for 43 years, so I wasn’t optimistic, but I really enjoyed the classes and the tutor was very encouraging.

“Importantly, I could see the positive impact it had on my family member and their recovery, providing some routine and a reason to get up in the morning.

“They also found it fun and are progressing well, which is amazing to see.”

Lynn previously worked in the civil service and later for a mental health charity and in the care sector.

The proactive, compassionate attitude she has shown throughout her journey with Coleg Cambria led to her being nominated for an Inspire! Adult Learning Award by tutor Pam McLean.

“Lynn viewed the course as a way for her relative to move forward and encouraged her to enjoy learning as she had not had a good experience in her early years at school,” said Pam.

“After attending for a number of weeks, she also enrolled and could see the impact it was having so she encouraged other people she knew in her life to register and release their potential learning new or forgotten skills

“Lynn worked with enthusiasm and gusto and fully embraced her learning journey; she is a ‘people person’ and her focus is very much on learning in a safe and welcoming environment, which proved invaluable to both her and her relative, who still attends and has also achieved Essential Skills qualifications.

“She is now furthering her skills by becoming a volunteer support worker in Adult Community Learning and is an inspiration to other learners.”