Barrie Hughes
Barrie Hughes had worked for the parks department in Brighton and Hove for 14 years and had always hidden the fact that he couldn’t read and write, but at the age of 58 he decided it was time to seek some help.
The turning point came when Barrie had to attend a training course for work; anxious about people finding out that he couldn’t read and write, he bandaged his arm and hand to look as though he’d had an accident. Such drastic steps led Barrie to the realisation that he needed to ask for help.
Barrie was found to be severely dyslexic and assessed at being below entry level. He began with one-to-one literacy classes and they went so well he has signed up for more classes at the start of this year. Barrie said, “I love being able to write poetry and to read things. At work I have even drawn up some plans for developing the seafront. I would not have had the confidence or ability to do this before I started learning again.”
Barrie is passionate about encouraging others to take up learning, and has become a union learning rep. He is also working with the GMB Union and City Services to open a learning centre where he works.
Barrie’s manager, Brian Mann says, “Since Barrie has taken these courses it is like having a different person at work – he is more confident and is much more willing to have a go at anything now. He is much more involved with the organisation and wants to develop. This really helps in his role as a Team Leader.”