17 January 2008
Student nominated for a special award
Nominations are currently being submitted for the annual Adult Learner National Awards. The awards are supported by the government department for Innovation, Universities & Skills and set to celebrate Adult Learner’s individual achievements.
As part of recognising Adult Learners week and students achievements against adversity Farnborough College of Technology has nominated Ella Findlay a first year student currently studying British Sign Language, to the initial regional section of the awards.
Ella recently became disabled after a devastating relapse of Multiple Sclerosis at the beginning of 2006. After regaining enough strength to live independently again Ella was determined to return to work as the Arts Co-ordinator of an arts charity based in Farnham. Ella had moved to Farnham from Brighton in August of 2006 to achieve this. Unfortunately Ella was made redundant from this post and since then, Ella has been working towards educating herself with the intention of building a career in this arena, making good her experience of the last few years. This includes Ella investing her time in studying British Sign Language.
Commenting on her time to date at the College Ella said “I have found the support from Farnborough College of Technology has been really good if I ask for help, but it’s important for me to be independent so I always try learning for myself first. My tutor has encouraged me to achieve the Sign Language qualification and next I want to learn Lip-reading, so I can work with people in this field” Ella feels strongly about being an ambassador for other people suffering from MS and other illnesses so they too can learn different skills and overcome difficulties in their life, Ella recently completed a tandem skydive which she found absolutely exhilarating. Ella also volunteers a few days a week for S.I.D (Social information on Disability) based in Leatherhead, and her position as a director of the Coalition, she plans to focus her work on the following issues: addressing the difficulties faced when wishing to enter employment, disability discrimination in the workplace and training on disability awareness for any interested parties.
Farnborough College of Technology would like to wish Ella Findlay every success with the Adult Learner’s Week 2008 Award and Charmain Lyons a coordinator for Adult Education at the College said “Ella deserves to be nominated for the Adult Learner’s Week 2008 Awards; she is a positive learner that has the confident to be challenged and not let anything stop her from achieving her goals” For Adults interested in developing their skills they should contact the College to see what is on offer in their area.