Naomi is a mother of two, with a supportive husband, a large family and three jobs – so for her, time is a very rare and precious commodity. She’s kept busy looking after everyone but has little time for herself. “I do everything,” she says, “but before starting the course, I knew that things had to change. I was going backwards in terms of my mental health.” She wanted to create a better future for herself and her children but wasn’t sure how.
Naomi’s journey began when she was referred to a Long Covid ward after catching the virus during the pandemic. Around that time, she was feeling anxious, isolated, and lacking confidence. This is when she came across the adult learning courses.
At first, she was nervous and unsure. “To begin with I didn’t know what to say. I was worried that they might not understand me and my situation,” she admitted. But what she found was a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where learning was inclusive and at a pace that suited her. “I was pleased that it wasn’t like school. It’s all about learning together, not being talked at.”
The course offered a variety of activities: confidence-building sessions, craft classes, cooking workshops, and wellbeing lessons. These were not just about learning certain skills — they were about creating space for Naomi to focus on herself, connect with others, and rediscover her strengths.
Naomi quickly realised the power of these sessions. “Sometimes I feel that I have no confidence – I don’t feel loved,” she said. But the classes helped her “get out of my head and a different focus – it’s a good thing. You get into the flow of the activity, forget about everything else that’s going on. And when you’ve finished, what a sense of achievement.” Cooking classes taught her about the link between food and mood: “So, I try and make healthy choices and cook healthy meals because it helps my mental health.”
“All of this helps me build my confidence,” Naomi explained. “I can see that I’m learning stuff all the time – which gives me even more confidence.” The group became more than just a class — it became a circle of friends. “We go out for a meal every week. We’ll go Christmas shopping together.” These social connections have helped reduce her isolation and given her a support network she can rely on.