Phoebe Hall
After bad experiences at school which made her “hate learning”, Phoebe left without any qualifications. She went to work in a factory and has been working on the production line at Gunstones Bakery for 20 years.
“The reason I got back into learning was because it was always my dream to write a book”, Phoebe explains. “When Gunstones and Chesterfield College offered English classes at the Learning Centre, there was no stopping me.”
While at the Learning Centre – which is in the factory, supported by Sarah Marsden at Chesterfield College, factory management and union learning reps – Phoebe achieved an Entry Level 3 Literacy Certificate and has progressed to successfully completing her Level 1 Literacy qualification. Her next major goal is to achieve a Level 2 in Literacy and she has also started on a numeracy course.
“Gaining more confidence is my major achievement”, Phoebe says. “I love reading now and will gladly switch off TV and read a book instead. I started with Quick Reads, but now I’m reading four books a week and I found out that reading helps me with writing and spelling tremendously…”
“I am a union learning rep at work, which without learning and gaining confidence I could not have even thought about before. I am now a role model for my co-workers… making them realise how learning can change their lives – not only on a personal level but open the doors to better job opportunities as well… I can say learning has become my hobby – I love it!”