Noleen Vine
Noleen used to carry her name, address and telephone number in her purse so that she could copy them if she ever needed to write them down. Having missed a lot of school as a child she had classed herself as “stupid” and unable to learn. However, when she retired, she decided she should try to learn again because she wanted to read books.
She began her learning at Priestley College in Warrington with Entry Level 1 Literacy and has successfully progressed on to studying Level 2 Literacy. She has now joined the library and recently read ‘Black Beauty’, a book she had wanted to read since she was a child.
“I love reading,” she said. “It has made a big difference to my life – I feel better about myself. I still get stuck on some words, but I read lots of things. It feels great that I can read.”
Noleen has also completed the national six-book challenge, even though she was initially anxious she would not be able to complete even one book.
Kate Hillesdon, Noleen’s tutor, said, “To have discovered a passion for reading at the age of 65, having struggled with literacy your whole life is truly remarkable. Learning has made a huge impact on her life and on the lives of her friends and family too. Noleen now feels able to encourage her granddaughter with her learning and has been an inspiration to other members of the group.”