York St John student announced as region’s Adult Learner of the Year

A York St John student has been named as the region’s Adult Learner of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.

Gillian Firth, aged 46, from Selby, is a second-year Creative Writing and Media student. Her dedication and commitment to improving her life through learning following a serious accident is being recognised with a Regional Individual Learner Award as part of Adult Learners’ Week, running from 12 - 18 May 2012.

In 1994, a car accident left Gillian in a coma for six weeks. She suffered severe brain damage, where she lost her memory, speech and mobility and had to learn everything again. During her long recovery, Gillian was given a second-hand computer and she began using it to write what became her autobiography, ‘Gillian Mk 2’ which she self-published in 2000. Response from readers was overwhelming with many insisting that Gillian write a follow-up, which she later did in 2008, entitled ‘Typically Gillian’. During this time, Gillian talked about her books and experiences on radio, TV and in newspapers. She also put her teaching skills to use as an Assistant Scout Leader and gained an NVQ 2 in Catering.

To help with her new career as an author, Gillian gained a place on a Creative Writing and Media degree at York St John University in 2010 and has an ambition to produce a film script at the end of the course to complete her trilogy of stories. Gillian said:

“Experimenting with and accepting new opportunities was beneficial as it proved to me that all was not lost, there were still things I could do, in the effort to kill lonely time.”

David Hughes, NIACE Chief Executive, said:

“Every one of our award winners, for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week, illustrates how learning can help people to change their lives, make them feel part of their community and help support them in their future. Gillian’s life has improved because of her commitment, enthusiasm and ambition. I hope that others will be inspired by this story and see the role that learning can play to help them get a better life.”

Gillian will be presented with her Regional Individual Learner Award at the Yorkshire and Humberside Adult Learners' Week Regional Award Ceremony, at Leeds Art Gallery on 17 May 2012.