Dinas woman is an inspiration (From Penarth Times)

Dinas woman is an inspiration

12:10pm Monday 11th May 2009 in Latest news

BARBARA Scourfield from Dinas Powys, was left with multiple disabilities after a neurological illness – but decided to fight back through learning.

And now Barbara has been nominated for an Inspire! Adult Learner of the Year award.

The awards are organised by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, advocates of adult learning in Wales, and recognise learners whose achievements have been inspirational or life-changing.

The awards will be presented by TV’s Sara Edwards and former track and rugby star Nigel Walker in a glittering ceremony at Bangor University tonight, May 7.

After her illness, Barbara’s left hand, foot and leg are impaired, she is plagued by crippling migraines and she lost the ability write or to speak more than a few words at a time.

But she decided to reclaim her life by enrolling on a groundbreaking new Welsh blended learning course at the Welsh Language Centre, Cardiff.

The first of its kind in Wales, the course teaches students to learn language patterns and vocabulary online, before attending intensive classroom sessions. The nature of the course gave Barbara the time and flexibility to learn at her own pace.

She has slowly regained her speech and has built her way up to communicating effectively not only in English, but also in her target language of Welsh.

Her nominator at the Welsh Language Centre, Anna Tiplady, said: "Welsh is generally considered a difficult second language to learn, and rising to the challenge is an accomplishment in itself – but doing so in the face of wide ranging disabilities using the very latest technology makes Barbara a source of inspiration for others."

Richard Spear, Director of NIACE Dysgu Cymru said: "Barbara and the other Inspire Award nominees are inspirational people who have achieved a great deal, some overcoming serious obstacles to pursue their learning.

"They are also representatives of the thousands of people achieving success through learning right across Wales."

The Awards are held as a curtain-raiser to Adult Learners’ Week, the UK’s largest festival and celebration of adult learning, co-ordinated by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, and core-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Social Fund.

The week runs from May 9-16 and features regionally-organised activities and themed days. To discover what’s going on locally, call Learning and Careers Advice free on 0800 100 900 or visit www.careerswales.com