Angela Reid and Sammy-Jo Atkins won their awards at a ceremony organised by Neath Port Talbot Learning Promotion Group in partnership with NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) at The Towers Hotel, Jersey Marine. The ceremony gave an opportunity for learners and tutors to gain recognition for their efforts and demonstrate their commitment to education.

Angela and Sammy-Jo both started the 2-year part-time Higher Education Foundation Certificate in Humanities in September 2011 at the NSA Development Centre in Sandfields, Port Talbot.  The programme, delivered by the Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) at Swansea University, is aimed at adults who are keen to take their first steps into Higher Education. The Foundation Certificate covers a wide range of humanities related subjects underpinned by a comprehensive package of study skills and IT support

Angela and Sammy-Jo have already completed modules in history, counselling and psychology and have recently started studying sociology. Angela is really enjoying the programme as it fits around her life and said: “It is great that Sam and I can help each other through the course. It has brought us closer together as we are both busy with children and we don’t get a lot of time to spend together – so through the course we have a day that is ours! This course has given me a new lease of life, quality time with my daughter and an insight into learning. As I see it, the sky’s the limit. Now I have no doubt that I can do anything I put my mind to.”

As a focussed and determined young woman, Sammy-Jo is clearly engaged in her studies on the programme and believes that the course has enabled her to gain much confidence. Her biggest achievement so far is gaining the highest mark in the class for her first essay adding that “I also wanted to set a good example for my daughter, Tia, so that she can see that I have made something of my life and that she can achieve anything in life if she works hard.”

The mother and daughter were nominated by the Foundation Programme Co-ordinator Joanna Ward who congratulated them and said that she had seen them grow from being quiet, enthusiastic women to confident, thoughtful and incredibly perceptive students, keen to progress with their university level studies. “I really believe that Angela and Sammy-Jo would be ideal students for our part-time BA (Honours) Degree in Humanities programme and they are more than capable of progressing to this next year.”

Professor Colin Trotman, Director/Head of DACE said: “Angela and Sammy-Jo thoroughly deserve this award as it recognises their commitment to being part-time university students with DACE. They are proving to be excellent role models to their friends and family and I wish them both every success in the next year of their studies on the Foundation Certificate.”