Case Study - Louise - Feedback from one of our Learners

Please can you tell us a bit about your background, before you joined the Choices Plus Project

I was in a very bad marriage and had lost all self esteem and confidence then remarried and started to gain confidence and self esteem back.

I worked for the same company for 17 years and then had a baby, I gave up work to look after my daughter and as she became school age I decided I wanted to go back to work but not for the same company so needed to do something different.

How did you hear about the NWN?

I was on the computer one day and decided to type in women returners and up came NWN and I thought that looks interesting.

What made you come along and join the course?

I wanted to do something with my life and what the NWN was offering looked interesting. So I decided to email them and see what they were all about. When I met all the women they were all really friendly and welcoming and put me at ease .So decided to give it a go.

What concerns or anxieties did you have before coming along?

That I wouldn't be any good at anything and the courses would be too hard, had low self esteem and confidence.

What have you achieved personally since being involved with NWN?

Understanding your choices
Career Choices
ICT Plus IT1 Using your computer
                IT1 Word Processing
                IT1 Desk Top Publishing
                IT1 Spreadsheets
                IT1 Presentations -using microsoft powerpoint  
                
Working towards Level 2 mathematics .

Personally-more confidence and self esteem, this has enabled me to meet personal challenges in my life.

What do you feel you have learnt since being involved with NWN?

I have learnt a lot about understanding what career choices I have and about what I can achieve if I put my mind to it. A greater understanding of computers and how to interact with other like minded women.

How would you encourage others to use NWN services?

I would encourage others by leading by example and showing that if I can do it so can they .Showing others what can be achieved and talking to other women about all that the NWN has to offer.

What does the future hold for you?

I am seriously considering learning a new skill at college. I have a few ideas in mind. Want to have a look at some of the tasters the NWN are offering and then going to make my choice of what I would like to learn at college .Hopefully enrolling September if possible or as soon after as I can .Am also looking at gaining a skill to be able to emigrate in the next five years if I can..

Do you have any other feedback or comments?

Without the NWN I don't think I would have had the confidence to push myself and do something with my life. Also I have a mentor and she has been excellent So has my tutor Nikki, without her I don't think I would have got as far as I have with computers ,she is an excellent tutor. Also she really helped me think about my choices and my career choices.  Would recommend NWN to all women .