A SERC student has overcome adversity to scoop a gong at the recent Essential Skills award ceremony in Hillsborough Castle.
Brenda Young from Bangor clinched a Highly Commended plaudit at the event which recognises outstanding achievement in literacy, numeracy and ICT learning.
She returned to education to gain qualifications which would enable her to help her grandson with his homework, despite mobility and eyesight difficulties following a severe stroke.
Explaining how her life has changed since achieving the qualification, Brenda explained: “Completing Essential Skills has given me a new found focus and allowed me to meet lots of new friends. I would encourage others to come back to college to do further learning.”