Award Ceremony Photos
TV and radio presenter Philippa Forrester joined our outstanding adult learners to celebrate their success at the South West Adult Learners' Week Award Ceremony which took place at Westlands Leisure Complex in Yeovil, South Somerset on Tuesday, May 12.
Guests were welcomed with the tropical sounds of the Somerset based Skintight Samba Band, all adult learners themselves.
Learning South West's Chief Executive Tim Boyes-Watson and Deputy Chief Executive Paula Jones welcomed guests and introduced Philippa who spoke about her learning experience and some of the highlights from her career.
Award winners and nominees were given their awards and certificates by Philippa and spoke in front of the 150 guests to tell them a little about themselves and how learning has changed their lives.
Guest then heard from Simon Mauger, NIACE's Regional Programme Director and enjoyed a two course meal, had photographs taken and heard more from the Skintight Samba Band.
All our outstanding award winners and nominees
Caroline Haddock, 33, from Plymouth was a South West Regional Award Winner and is pictured with Chris Brown, from City College Plymouth, who nominated Caroline for the award.
Pauline Gibbon, 55, from Bristol was a South West Regional Award Winner and is pictured with Jane Hadfield, from the North Bristol NHS Trust, who nominated Pauline for the award.
Chrissy Jane Hedge, 35, from Dorchester was the European Social Fund (ESF) South West Regional Award Winner and was nominated for the award by Ken Onions at Kingston Maurward College.
The South West region also had three national award winners - Voldis Kudliskis, Ross Dunstan and Kushti Bok - who attended the national ceremony held in London on Friday 15 May.
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Award Winner Voldis Kudliskis, 52, who was nominated by Rachel Hutchinson, South Dartmoor Community College.
Ross Dunstan, 31, the South West Outstanding Learner of the Year Award Winner who was nominated by Maureen Mason from Cornwall College.
Simon Mauger from NIACE
Learning South West's Deputy Chief Executive Paula Jones makes beautiful music with the samba band!
Entertainment was provided by the local Skintight Samba Band, all adult learners themselves
Jason Thorne, 34, from Taunton was a South West Regional Award Winner and is pictured with Joanne Newman from the Stonham Housing Association, who nominated Jason for the award.
Malcolm Apperly, 57, was the South West Regional Senior Learner of the Year. He is pictured with Ruth Legg from Fosseway Living and was nominated by Zena Sparks from Cotswold District Council.
Paul Parker, 34, from Yeovil was a South West Regional Award Winner and is pictured with Loraine Cox, from Yeovil College, who nominated Paul for the award.
Tanya Powell, 37, from Penryn, Cornwall, was the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) South West Regional Learning Works Award Winner and is pictured with Christopher Hazell, from Pentreath Ltd, who nominated Tanya for the award.
Group Award Winner Kushti Bok, who were nominated for the award by Ken Onions at Kingston Maurward College.
Philippa Forrester and Learning South West's Chief Executive Tim Boyes-Watson share the belief that learning can transform lives.
Philippa spoke about her own experience as an adult learner.