Bernadette Francis
"Originally from the Caribbean, I came to live in the UK in 2014. Keen to continue my health, beauty and textile manufacturing business I knew that I needed to gain qualifications that would help me to start again here in the UK.
Lacking in confidence and feeling apprehensive I plucked up the courage to enrol at Adult Education Wolverhampton. I needed to gain skills and qualifications in Maths, English, ICT and Bookkeeping, skills that would help me re-launch my business. In September 2016 at the age of 55, my journey started once again.
English wasn't my strongest subject but with determination and lots of support and encouragement from my teachers, I worked my way from Functional Skills through to GCSE. It was a fantastic result for someone who had lacked confidence and self-belief. I went on to pass all of my courses with good results.
When COVID hit the UK like everyone my life came to a standstill… However, this became a positive time for me to pursue my business and work out how I could once again become self-employed and independent. At this time the only means of communication was online so the skills I had gained in IT, English and Maths were incredibly important to pursuing my career.
It's now June 2024 and I am proud to say that through learning I have achieved my dream, I am a self-employed business owner running Fabweaves Enterprise LDT and am doing well.
Adult Education Wolverhampton helped me to grow, gain skills, find my self-esteem and brim over with confidence.
This year I am planning to gain my GCSE maths and progress my IT skills. I have learnt that all you need is determination a good teacher and a 'Yes I can attitude'!
Thanks, Adult Education see you again soon."