Top award for mature student

Nigal Goodship, from Stourbridge, has been named winner of a West Midlands Regional Adult Learners’ Week award. He will be presented with a certificate and a £200 learning voucher at the regional award ceremony on Monday, 17 May 2010 at West Midlands Safari Park in Worcester.

The 41-year-old is in his first year of a BA (Hons) Photography at the University’s School of Art & Design.

Nigal suffered two industrial accidents that affected his left arm and meant he could no longer work. He suffered the first injury to his shoulder in 2001, and the second injury, which affected his elbow, put an end to his career as a stock manager in a cold store at a hospital in 2004.

Having completed a University Access Course in Photography at Dudley College, he decided to enrol at the University of Wolverhampton. It was shortly after being accepted onto the course that Nigal was diagnosed with Dyslexia.

Nigal, a former musician, said: “I came to University because I wanted to turn my life around, and I wanted to pursue an art course, preferably photography. Coming in as an adult learner has been an advantage as I have life experience. I feel I came back into education at the best point in my life, and I have achieved something I really wanted to do, and that has never happened to me before.

“I am pleased to have received this award. I have gone from being practically house-bound and depressed to almost happy, with a chance to start again and have a greater chance of being able to return to the job market with an education and training in something I greatly enjoy doing.”

Nigal was nominated for the award by Senior Lecturer Dr Peter Day, who was particularly impressed by his work on an assignment focused on memories.

Peter said: “Nigal probably more than any other student I have taught represents a non-traditional learner who is excelling in his studies at the University. His work is mature and dynamic, and is a reflection of the quality adult learners can bring to a course.

“His work is a unique and personal journey and in many ways reflects all the positive effects of achievement and education. I am delighted he has won this award.”

ENDS

Picture: Nigal Goodship receives his award from Kathy Kirk, Interim Head of Culture and Community Services/Strategic Libraries and Learning Manager for Worcestershire County Council. Photographer: Stewart Writtle

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