Volunteers’ Week begins on the 2nd of June, and St Helens ACL is proud to recognise the outstanding contributions of its volunteers. Their dedication is central to the organisation’s success, and their efforts make a real difference in the community. A special thank you goes to Alison and Dave for their continued support and commitment.
As part of the celebrations, St Helens ACL is offering a free, accredited 1-day Emergency First Aid course on Thursday 5th June. Later in the month, a Mental Health Awareness session will also be available—an ideal opportunity for volunteers to enhance their understanding and support skills. For more information, interested individuals are encouraged to get in touch.
Alison’s Story: From Learner to Volunteer
Alison missed a lot of school due to severe anxiety and school phobia and didn’t gain the GCSEs she wanted or receive the support she needed. After school, Alison went on to volunteer at the Disability Department and the Career Department at St Helens College. Alison felt well supported there and went on to complete training in computing and business. This enabled her to begin a career in administration and clerical work, taking on various roles before having her daughters.
Alison also wanted to overcome her fears and achieve her goals. After having her daughters, she felt it was the right time to face her biggest challenge and gain the qualifications she had missed out on in school.
In 2019, Alison began her learning journey with ACL, starting with a Family Learning course at her children’s school. This course gave her the confidence to support her daughters’ learning and improved her self-belief, helping her access other courses with ACL. Alison started Entry 3 maths, which she passed in January 2020.
When lockdown hit, Alison was faced with home-schooling her daughters. This didn’t deter her, as she continued studying and achieved her Level 1 maths qualification while supporting her daughters.
She passed Level 1 maths in July 2021 and progressed to Level 2 maths and English. Alison struggled with Level 2 maths and failed the exam four times through 2023 and 2024. However, her sheer determination and dedication shone through, and she passed the exam in May 2024, along with Level 2 English.
An opportunity arose for Alison to volunteer with ACL in September 2024. She has become a natural in this role, supporting both Level 1 and Level 2 classes. Alison has provided invaluable support to the groups, especially to learners with dyslexia.
Alison says she has now achieved her own goals and aspires to give back by helping others who are in a similar position to her prior to accessing learning. She wants to help learners achieve their goals, build their confidence, and reach their potential.
Upcoming Opportunities in June
There are still places available for several exciting opportunities starting in June, including:
- Summer Pot Painting – Mondays
- Using Microsoft Word– Tuesday afternoons
- NEW: Level 1 Introduction to Early Years Settings– Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Contact Information
For general enquiries, call 01744 676671 or 01744 677328, text 07702 959814, or email adultlearning@sthelens.gov.uk.
St Helens ACL offers a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all adults (aged 19+) living in the Liverpool City Region.