Sewing up a successful transition into adult learning 

Sheila Hawkins is an adult learner on the first year of the Fashion and Footwear Design HND at Leicester College. Having lived in Leicester since 1997 and worked for the NHS for the last 10-11 years in workforce transformation, Sheila called it a day in June 2021. 

Sheila explained: “After a career working in health, social care and staff development, I was interested in returning to education to learn more skills. I didn’t want to commit to a degree so the HND at Leicester College was ideal.” 

“Sewing is a hobby so the course will enable me to improve my technical skills around sewing and help to translate my ideas into reality. I haven’t got firm plans as yet but am confident that the course will open up opportunities for self-employment or running my own business.”

“Although it was a challenge to transition from working to being a full-time student, the self-organisation and management skills that I’ve gained during my working life have been really useful. I’m the oldest in the class by a long way but staff and students have been very welcoming and it’s good fun being around younger students. 

“I’m very pleased to do the course, really enjoying it so far and learning so much from my studies. It’s been really worthwhile and I’d recommend it to others. I’ve particularly appreciated the module on professional development and how we think about roles.”