In 2009, Julia Anderson was enjoying a flourishing career in social care after more than two decades in the profession.

She had worked her way up to managerial level, but everything changed when she was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease that led to more complex conditions that took away her mobility, as well as a career she had loved.

Julia was diagnosed with Behçet’s Disease, a rare and debilitating illness causing multiple medical issues, including overwhelming fatigue. It meant she was unable to drive and struggled to walk more than a few steps. The comfortable life that she had known no longer existed, leaving her isolated for long periods and increasingly dependent upon others.

But in 2025, Julia came across a leaflet advertising pottery courses at Compass Community Hub. “From my very first visit, I was given the warmest of welcomes,” she said. “The friendliness of the staff was wonderful, and the quality of the facilities was second-to-none.

“Pottery had always appealed to me, but previous environments had not been accessible or supportive enough for my needs, which Compass was quick to recognise.”

Julia found herself again through the lessons and her confidence started to return. She found joy in working with clay, socialising and creating pieces she was proud of. Pottery proved to be just the start of her renewed passion for learning. Rebuilding Confidence Through Learning courses have followed in art, craft, writing and ancestry, where she researched her family tree.

Learning has given Julia a renewed sense of purpose and a voice. She has become a passionate advocate for adult learning, often speaking about the positive difference community learning hubs make to people living with chronic health conditions.

“I am extremely supportive of the Hub because it has literally provided a lifeline to me and so many others who need somewhere to turn to,” she said. Julie Jones mentored Julia at Compass Community Hub and said that her story shows the vital role that adult learning can play in turning lives around.

“It has given Julia something she feared she had lost forever – a life beyond her conditions. Through learning, creativity and community, she has rebuilt hope, purpose and pride in what she can achieve.”