Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is offering a range of courses across Essex for beginners through to experts.
Clacton resident Claire Fletcher has taken various courses at ACL Essex to support her career goal of becoming a midwife. After walking in to ACL Essex in Clacton and joining an English class, Claire has progressed on her learning journey over the past three years, from qualifications in English and Maths courses to Digital Skills and Mental Health and Wellbeing courses.
Here’s Claire’s story:
“I was born partially deaf. When I was seven years old, I was thrown to the back of a class and told to read a book. This was in 1978, before children with special educational needs were ever discussed.
“I went to ACL because I wanted to be a good example for my four children, who live in London with their dad. One day, I decided to walk into ACL in Clacton and see what courses they had. I was able to join an English class but it was the end of the year. So I went back in the September and passed my English Level 2 the year after. I’m excellent at English, and I didn’t find my English Level 2 qualification hard at all, but I’ve always struggled with Maths.
“My goal is to study at university to become a midwife and to do that I also need a Level 2 qualification in Maths. I missed out on years of Maths classes but my tutor at ACL Clacton is amazing. I was able to pass my Level 1 in Maths, which, for me personally, is a massive achievement. I was really chuffed with myself for that. I’m 53 and I’d never passed a Maths exam in my life, and I thought I never would, but I did and it’s brilliant.
“I’m now studying for my Level 2 qualification in Maths and hoping to get a volunteering job at ACL Clacton in the very near future.
“I feel I’m also useless at IT. My children grew up with computers but being a stay-at-home mum, I’ve never needed to learn the QWERTY keyboard, but I’m getting on really well with my IT courses. I’ve passed a few IT exams, like the Essential Digital Skills qualification, and I want to sign up for another IT course soon.
“I’ll also continue taking Mental Health and Wellbeing courses at ACL Clacton. They are invaluable. They teach you lots of skills and coping mechanisms, and just generally the support I’ve received at ACL in Clacton is superb. The staff are lovely.
“I love ACL because it really is a little family. I’ve made so many new friends. I’m not particularly shy but if you are shy, you’re made to feel at ease by tutors. You’re all there for the same reason, whether you’re 18, 53 like me, or 75 like a friend of mine who is also doing her Maths Level 2. There’s a whole range of ages and I’ve always felt welcome. You’ll always find someone on your level, even if they’re older or younger than you.
“I message my friends during the week now, not even about coursework or homework, but just to check up on them. Everyone’s mental health benefits from this and we all support each other. I’ve even set up a homework club – I ring my friend at 8 o’clock on a Sunday night and we do our Maths homework together.
“We all look out for each other in our class. It doesn’t matter what age you are, your background, where you’ve come from or whether you’re rich or poor, you’re all there to learn. I love ACL in Clacton; it’s brilliant.
“If you’re wondering what courses ACL offer, just walk in the door like I did. Go to reception and tell them the courses you’d like to enrol in. They’re very friendly in the office and they’ll point you in the right direction. There are so many opportunities from that step on; it’ll just be up and up, and you’ll be made aware of all the other courses that go with your course. They’ll also point you in other directions you didn’t even know were possible.
“In two years, I’ve passed three courses that I never thought I would do. It’s all round fantastic and I’d definitely recommend ACL.”
To find out more about English, Maths, Digital Skills and Mental Health and Wellbeing courses at ACL Essex, visit www.aclessex.com.
