Ann Hough makes presentations
Huddersfield Town’s Operations Director Ann Hough was invited to make the opening address at the prestigious Community Learning Awards Ceremony which was held at Huddersfield Town Hall recently.
The event was held to recognise the learning achievements of adults and young people across Kirklees, with prize categories including Young Learner of the Year, Most Determined Learner, Workplace Learner of the Year and Senior Learner of the Year.
As guest speaker Ann gave an insight into her 20 years at Huddersfield Town and explained how continually learning throughout life had helped her to make progress in her career. She also spoke of the importance of education to both individual learners and to the community as a whole and emphasised the need for a positive approach to learning and change.
Huddersfield Town’s own Success Centre scored a hat-trick on the evening as once again one of its learners won an award – the third year in succession that a centre learner has scooped a prize – as Julie Todd won the ‘Return to Learning – Learner of the Year’ award.
Julie used to suffer from agoraphobia and lacked confidence. She was encouraged to attend the Success Centre’s ‘STEPs’ confidence-building course by her daughter after not being in education for over 30 years. During the sessions Julie said she would like to work as a teaching assistant in a school but felt that this was always be just a dream. After completing the STEPs course she continued with her learning and took the Success Centre’s ‘Reading Friends’ course, which supports children in primary schools with their reading. Julie is now working as a volunteer in her local primary school. She recently scored a hat-trick of her own by completing the third of the Success Centre’s three adult learning courses - Beginners ICT.
Julie’s story of success shows that taking one small step can have a domino effect and can lead to bigger and better things. Julie’s confidence and skills have grown and developed and this can only lead to a brighter future.
She commented:
“I thought I was too old and too timid to learn new things and I am amazed that I am now a volunteer in my local school. I really am taking steps forward every day and I won’t allow myself to be knocked back.”
Ann presented all the evening’s prize winners with a certificate and goody bag, as well as complementary tickets to a home game at the start of next season.
Huddersfield Town Success Centre is a schools and community focused educational centre jointly managed by Huddersfield Town and Kirklees Council and is based in the suite of classrooms in the Fantastic Media Stand. For more information ring Jeanette on 01484 234153.
