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Copyright: Surrey Care Trust 2013

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Copyright: Surrey Care Trust 2013

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Bringing learning and life-changing opportunities to people of all ages

Every life tells a story

Vikki’s’s story

School just wasn’t a success for me. I had problems with bullying and I was also naughty and I thought I couldn’t achieve. Neither of my parents went to college or university They did encourage me to do well at school but it wasn’t a priority for me.

I actually got quite good grades in GCSEs and started my AS levels at school but then left.

I went to college but left, went back and got pregnant. It wasn’t really meant to happen! Iwas doing pretty well at college so I was upset but also happy because I loved my son. 15 years ago I didn’t really have an option – there wasn’t a creche.  I was 19.

I was already on the way to depending on drink and drugs which dominated my life for most of my 20s. I got into a relationship with someone  who was very involved in drugs and I had 10 years of drinking and drug taking. I was on anti-depressants and sleeping tablets. I lost my driving licence twice.

Then my dad died and I hit rock bottom. I finally got to the stage where I realised that if I stayed with my partner life would always be like this. I was looking for a way out for me and for the sake of my children  but I didn’t know where to start..

This was 2007 and I knew I needed to get some qualifications so I was looking for courses but they all cost money. I had no money and I was still in a difficult relationship. Also, I had no skills to even know what I wanted to do, which way I wanted to go. I had had no career. It’s hard to explain how limited my life had become.

The one day Raquela from the Surrey Care Trust came up to me in the playground and said that the Trust was running courses through its FACE programme. They were free and they were in a place that were  local to me and accessible. They were easy for people who would have felt uncomfortable in a more formal setting. There was no pressure. They were  directed at people like me, people who had become completely disengaged from learning.

They were really taster courses, a bit of this and a bit of that. People were in the same boat as you, wanting to learn and change our lives.

I loved it.

It was also getting me back into an environment where I was meeting people, interacting with people and coming away feeling good about myself.  I felt like I was back in the real world in a safe environment

It completely changed my life.

The courses I  took included included  Indian head message, Thai foot massage, Ayurvedic face massage to a Level 2 qualification I studied Reiki to Master level and went on to do crystal therapy.

I became a full-time student and loved it, spending time in the library, finding out nrew things all the time. I felt so good about myself and it had an impact on my drinking.

I couldn’t study if I had a hangover so I wouldn’t drink the night before if I had a course the next day. I wante dot have a clear head so I could do the best I could. I think that saved me.

I spend two years studying for a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector and went on to do a Foundation Degree. I can now teach up to level 2 and can now apply for a QTS qualification so I can teach in secondary school.

I want people to know how valuable the Surrey Care Trust’s courses are.

I know quite a few people who have benefitted enormously from the encouragement of FACE. Going on FACE courses had a huge effect on some of my friends who went on to so more and more, get qualifications and in some cases start their own business.

want people to reause that you can be that low and come out of it. It does take hard work

I had 18 months of drug and drink counselling and I finally left my partner.

The opportunity to take up learning again transformed my life in so many ways. I want to get a career for myself not just any old job

I have done some work with a community theatre and have just got a job teaching  theatre studies and Indian Head Massage in a Pupil Referral Unit.

I also feel I have created a stable home life for my children. My son is in the top 5% at school as gifted and able and my daughter is doing really well.

Find out more

Our FACE adult learning programme