INSPIRE! ADULT LEARNING AWARD WINNERS
Meet our 2023 Inspire! Adult Learning Award winners
The Inspire! Awards are an annual celebration that recognises the life changing achievements of people, projects, and adult learning provision in Wales.
Browse through this year’s award winner stories to find out more about the steps they took to build their confidence, take a second chance, and change their story through education and skills.

Starting Out - Welsh Beginner Award Winner
Steven Wright
Nominated by: Learn Welsh Glamorgan Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales and National Centre for Learning Welsh Steven Wright moved from Australia to Wales,…
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Learning for Better Health Award Winner
Rachel Parker
Nominated by: Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales | Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales Rachel…
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Workplace Change Makers Award Winner
Powys Teaching Health Board
Nominated by: The Open University in Wales Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales Powys Teaching Health Board had previously struggled to recruit and retain…
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Life Change and Progression Award Winner
Elinor Ridout
Nominated by: Cardiff University Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales | Agored Cymru Elinor’s second child, Will, passed away suddenly when he was 13…
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Skills for Work Award Winner
Emma Howells
Nominated by: PRP Training Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales Emma Howells was running her own upcycling and upholstery business. when the first national…
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Hywel Francis Award for Community Impact Winner
Families Learning Together CAVC
Nominated by: Cardiff and Vale College Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales The Families Learning Together programme at Cardiff and Vale College delivers a…
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Essential Skills for Life Award Winner
Vale People First Men’s Group
Nominated by: Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales Formed in 2012, Vale People First Men’s Group offers…
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Different Past Shared Futures Award Winner
Walid Musa Albuqai
Nominated by: Gower College Swansea Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales Walid Musa Albuqai grew up in Syria but was forced to flee the…
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Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
John Gates
Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales John Gates, 82, lives in Maesteg and comes from a family of miners. He started working at Coegnant…
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Ageing Well Award Winner
Jan Wallace
Nominated by: Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales At the age of 81, Jan Wallace, keeps herself…
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Young Adult Learner Award Winner
Harley Clements
Nominated by: Coleg Sir Gâr Sponsored by: The Open University in Wales and AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group Harley Clements was bullied at primary school,…
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Closing the Gap Award
Priory Learning Centre
The Priory Learning Centre, based in Monkton Primary school in Pembrokeshire, recognises the needs of families from the local Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and…
Read the storyDownload a copy of the 2023 Inspire! Adult Learning Awards profile book.
Find out more about the awards by visiting the Learning and Work Institute website
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