Deemed to old for free access to a mainstream school at 18, Ruksana Begum spoke very little English. Two years later and with the help of a community centre, she has been recognised with an award for her efforts as part of Adult Learners’ Week, which takes place on June 14-20.

Two years later and with the help of a community centre, she has been recognised with an award for her efforts as part of Adult Learners’ Week, which takes place on June 14-20.

She was named as the winner of the Learning Life Skills Individual Award and will receive her award in a ceremony at

Ruksana said: “It takes time and energy to learn the skills needed for work, so I was determined to learn English and develop new skills to help me get a job.

“I also wanted to make my family proud as I was aware that my younger siblings needed a role model to look up to.”

Ruksana, from Bethnal Green, has improved her language skills thanks to Heba, which provides training for women from a range of cultural backgrounds.

The centre helped her to complete three entry level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “The achievements of this year’s NIACE Adult Learners’ Week winners show the positive change education can make.

“I am a big fan of Adult Learners’ Week and the contribution it makes in celebrating the people who have embraced education in adulthood and in encouraging those who are considering starting out on a similar journey.”