Outstanding learners recognised at first Skills Awards Night

Outstanding students from Foundation of Light’s Study Programme, Adult, and Family Learning were recognised at an end of academic year awards evening.

Study Programme is an alternative education provision for young people aged 16-19 to engage and inspire them to develop work and life skills to improve their chances, while Adult and Family learning supports those aged 19+ to enhance their employability and home skills.

Awards were given out linked to each of the Foundation’s six organisational value alongside awards for Young, Adult, and Community Learner of the Year.

Lesley Spuhler, CEO of the official charity of Sunderland AFC, was among those in attendance to hand out awards alongside staff from across the organisation's Skills department. 

Winners included Jason King, who overcame his nerves of trying different food which were a symptom of his learning difficulties and found a new passion for cooking and preparing different meals with Foundation of Light’s Cooking on a Budget course.  

Another was Terri-Ann Senior who stood out on the Supporting Teaching and Learning programme which earned her permanent employment at the Foundation of Light where she has continued to make an impact.

“It was a great night to celebrate the amazing achievements of our community, adult, and youth learners,” said Adult Skills Lead Sarah Coyne.

“We are very proud of all of our learners and to see so much pride and positivity in the room after so much hard work and overcoming of barriers was brilliant.”

Terri-Ann, who is now a teaching assistant at the Foundation, added: “I was happy to be nominated at the first skills award night, but never thought I’d win.

“It’s so nice to be recognised for the work I have done, although I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support I had from Leanne [Somerville] as my tutor, Craig [Martin] and Mark [Triggs] when I was struggling.

“I can’t wait to get started on the next course.”

Following the event, learners had the chance to speak to potential employers and further education providers at a careers event on their final day of term.

Awards

Agility Award

Winner: Lewis Anderson

Runners Up: Katie Robinson and Charles Ubeh

Integrity Award

Winner: Tony Lumsden

Runners Up: Justina Onwouchiei and Iftika Azeem

Collaboration Award

Winners: Alyxander Memon and Aidan Coverdale

Runners Up: Zoe Allan, Stacey Dowdall and Izzy Dowdall

Passion Award

Winner: Jason King

Runners Up: Olivia Frater and Jayden Tennet

Innovation Award

Winner: Terri-Ann Senior

Runners Up: Nusrath Begum and Matthew Armstrong

Excellence Award

Winner: Kyla Derbyshire

Runners Up: Brandon Talbot and Andrew Matkin

Adult Learner of the Year Award

Winner: Joel Swan

Runners Up: Michaela Boughen and Wafaa Alebad

Community Learner of the Year Award

Winner: Jonny McRae

Runners Up: Judith Sanderson and David Morris

Young Learner of the Year Award

Winner: Millie Hunter

Runners Up: Sean Burns and Jack Menday-Hind