“What was once a thought about writing, then became a reality”
After being a full time carer for 16 years for her disabled daughter, Patt turned to adult education and the WEA to prepare herself for a return to the world of work.
Patt describes her goals before getting into adult learning with the WEA: “I wanted a professional job and something where I felt I was making a difference”.
Now after seven years of being a student of the WEA in a variety of courses, she has turned her life around, both in terms of her career aspirations and her personal life.
Patt was keen to embark on WEA’s short courses offered throughout the year, which she felt would develop her creativity. She says: “I spent two years on a creative writing course, which I really enjoyed and I plan to write a book”. That’s when Pat’s dream of writing her own book became a reality. Furthermore the classes inspired Patt: “they have helped me to bring out my creative side and become a whole person”.
Later Patt formed her own book talk group with the WEA, she had previously watched similar programmes on TV and thought how good it would be to do that with a group.
She says: “The book group I am in was set up as part of the government's Learning Revolution project and is something I really enjoy being part of”.
She also completed several levels of Counselling and Skills courses provided by the WEA, progressing onto a diploma in Therapeutic counselling.
Patt says: “Being dyslexic made it harder to process what I had learnt on the course when it came to exams”. Patt was given an extra year to qualify as a counsellor, and received support through out her studies and exams. Patt says, “qualifying as a counsellor has helped me achieve my goal”.
Among her other achievements Patt lists is the completion of a philosophy course with the WEA, which she says had a great impact on her as a person, and changed the way she thought about things.
Something that made a real difference to Pat’s life was going on WEA Qigong classes, which help people to improve their health, flexibility and energy levels. “I found something I really needed and it has stayed with me. It is something I wouldn’t want to lose,” says Patt.
She adds: “The support given through the WEA has for me personally made a difference to my life as a carer. I was able to take care for someone as well as look after my own needs and with the financial support given by the WEA, I could continue the courses. Also with the help I was given for being dyslexic made it all possible.”
When Patt was asked what she has most enjoyed about the WEA courses she has been on, she answered:
“Meeting new people with similar interests, who some are now long term friends, and the WEA staff, who are friendly and helpful. I feel I have been able to achieve all that I want and more.”