BLT Achievement Awards
 
The Bolton Evening News sponsor quarterly awards that the Bolton Literacy Trust give out to recognise the achievement of those who have made real strides in their own learning (in literacy, numeracy / ICT) or have helped others in the community to do so.

Congratulations...

Mum's award for helping others learn
 
From the The Bolton News, first published Monday 18th Dec 2006.
 
A BOLTON mum-of-three who returned to study has won a prestigious award for helping other people to learn.
 
Mrs Barbara Kerks, aged 49, from Morris Green, has been given the Bolton Literacy Trust award, sponsored by The Bolton News, in recognition of her achievements.
 
She gave up work when she had daughter Anna after a high-flying 20-year career in the civil service. But, after 11 years at home, her confidence was at rock-bottom.
 
She took a degree in literature and a masters degree in creative writing at the University of Bolton.
 
She then enrolled at the Literacy Trust's Great Lever Family Learning Centre on a course in digital photography 18 months ago. While there she became interested in the charity's work with students of all ages and abilities.
 
Already possessing a City and Guilds qualification that allowed her to teach, she offered to help out at classes for people for whom English was a second language - and found the rewarding pastime she was searching for.
 
Her voluntary "posts" blossomed into helping with a crafts class and then running it, and then into teaching popular creative writing sessions, all at the charity's Nightingale Centre off Rishton Lane, Great Lever.
 
Tutor Jen Carney said: "Barbara's work has been very much appreciated, both by the charity and her students.
 
"She seems to have endless energy. Barbara is always enthusiastic and has an infectious sense of humour. She is very patient and nothing seems too much trouble for her. She has been a real inspiration."
 
As for Barbara, helping the Trust has been a "wonderful experience". She added: "Really, it changed my life."

Previous winners have included:

Noreen Farnell
 
Melissa Christie
 
Reg Parry
 
Lisa Dykins
 
Gaz Knight (pictured above left)
 
Tracy Kane
 
Pat Carter
 
Boys at Rivington & Blackrod school (pictured below)
 
Kayleigh Reynolds (pictured above right)

All of the above have either supported other people's literacy, numeracy or ICT development or have made great progress in their own - many have achieved both.
 
Our thanks go to the Bolton Evening news, for their continued sponsorship of the Award.

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