After being placed in a women’s refuge, 33-year-old mother-of-three Laura Harris moved to Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff. She knew no-one in the area so decided to enrol in college at Coleg y Cymoedd and began her learning journey in 2015. 

Laura started with an Access to Humanities course and progressed onto Level 3 Business & Administration. Determined to succeed, Laura excelled at her studies, achieving distinctions in her coursework. 

Laura has received the Overall Learner of the Year as well as the Health and Wellbeing category at this year’s Inspire! Awards in recognition of her transformation into a confident and successful student progressing to university, having secured a place to study events management at the University of South Wales in September. 

Mum to Tyler, 15, and 10-year-old twin girls, Laura said: 

“I had a troubled childhood. I didn’t go to school and had a difficult relationship with my mother. It was no surprise when I was made homeless and ended up walking the streets of Swansea trying to find shelter at 14 years old. 

“I used drugs to escape from my life but they made me psychotic and frightened. I got pregnant at 17 and was given my own property and came off drugs and started to turn my life around. I met my partner and all was alright until he became controlling. 

“I was placed in a women’s refuge and was transferred to Aberdare, an area where I knew no-one but I was safe. I wanted to get an education to help my son with his school work. I began at Coleg y Cymoedd and have never looked back. 

“I relish learning and nothing feels more rewarding than the pride I feel achieving distinctions in my work. I have been accepted to university next academic year which is something I thought I would never ever do.”

The Inspire! Awards are hosted each year ahead of Adult Learners’ Week to celebrate the achievements of outstanding learners in Wales who have shown exceptional passion, commitment and drive for learning; often in the face of difficult circumstances, as well as employers who champion learning in the workplace.

Organised by Learning and Work Institute Wales with the financial backing of the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund, this year’s Adult Learners’ Week runs from 19–25 June and celebrates lifelong learning; whether work-based, as part of a community education course, at college, university or online.

Now celebrating its 26th year, it aims to promote the range of courses available to adult learners; from computing and childcare to business and languages.

Laura has used her challenging background to help others. As a result of the trauma of her past life, Laura suffers panic attacks. As part of a theatre workshop Laura devised a DVD which features her experiences on relationships and domestic violence. The DVD was rolled out across schools and colleges in Rhondda Cynon Taff and won a National Union of Students Enterprise award in 2016.

Laura Wilson, welfare officer at Coleg y Cymoedd, nominated Laura for the Inspire! Awards. She says: 

“Laura is definitely inspiring others through her youth work. Laura sees the college as her family. It’s such a small and friendly campus, she’s got to know lots of people here and that’s helped increase her confidence.”

Laura Harris adds: 

“My message to anyone who suffers from mental health, alcohol and drug problems like I did is that the answer is education. It has transformed my life and that feels amazing. 

“My mum has come back into my life. She’s really proud of me. She’s amazed by the transformation in me and I now feel complete.

“I’m overwhelmed at winning this award, I’m excited and I’m proud. I’ve proved to myself and others that I can do it.”

Commenting on the Inspire! Awards, Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James, said: 

“Laura’s story captures the true spirit of the Inspire! Awards, proving how empowering education can be, no matter your age or background. It is learners like her that provide an excellent example for others, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in their own lives to inspire potential adult learners across Wales. I would like to congratulate her and all the other winners on their outstanding achievements.

“We hope that Adult Learners’ Week will encourage adults to find out more about improving their skills and enhancing their career options by taking part in the range of free events happening across Wales. Adults can also access the Skills Gateway to get careers advice and guidance, whether they want to improve their skills and employability, access training, or get back into work.”

David Hagendyk, Director of Learning and Work Institute Wales, said: 

“The Inspire! Awards show how learning can really change lives. We hope people feel empowered by the winners’ stories and make the most of Adult Learners’ Week to get involved in local opportunities and seize the moment – whether you are stuck in a rut, want to make a change or brush up on your skills, Adult Learners’ Week could be just the boost you need to help improve your current situation through learning.”

Other winners include Arthur J Gallagher, who won the Small Employer category, Stuart Hughes, who won the Into Work category, Nina Miklaszewicz, winner of the Progression category, Nutica Neascu, winner of the Family Learning Individual category, Jimama Ansumana, winner of the Young Adult category, Christopher Joyce, winner of the Life or Career Change Category, Ceredigion Council, winner of the Large Business category, Treorchy Primary, winner of the Family Learning Project category, and 3Gs Only Men Allowed, winners of the Community Project category.

For more information on Adult Learners’ Week, go to the Welsh Government’s Skills Gateway for Adults (external link), call 0800 028 4844 or follow @skillsgatewaycw.

The Prime Minister spoke to Leo Varadkar on the phone earlier today to offer her congratulations on becoming Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach expressed his deepest sympathies for recent tragic events and said the thoughts of the Irish people were with the people of London at this time.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of continued cooperation between the 2 countries and the Prime Minister said she was personally committed to a close and special partnership with Ireland as the UK embarks on leaving the European Union.

They also spoke about a crucial need for the parties in Northern Ireland to come together to form a fully functioning Executive by 29 June and how both leaders would continue to engage closely on this important issue.

The Prime Minister also emphasised her steadfast commitment to the Belfast Agreement and its successors and the two leaders agreed to meet in person at the earliest possible opportunity.

Today I met Northern Ireland’s five main parties with a clear focus on restoring devolved Government to Northern Ireland as soon as possible.

Speaking with the parties today, it was clear that real progress was made in the last round of discussions and agreement can be reached if there is good will on all sides.

But time is running short and the parties must come together by the 29 June for the return of a strong voice at Stormont and for a brighter future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

My government remains absolutely committed to doing everything we can to help take this process to a successful conclusion, remaining steadfast to our commitments in the Belfast Agreement and its successors.

The Northern Ireland Secretary will continue to engage with the parties before this crucial deadline and if no resolution is reached then we will need to consider what steps we need to take, to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability it needs.

The new team at the Department for Work and Pensions is:

• Secretary of State – Rt Hon David Gauke MP
• Minister of State for Employment – Damian Hinds MP
• Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work – Penny Mordaunt MP
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions and Financial Inclusion – Guy Opperman MP
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance – Caroline Dinenage MP
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords) – Baroness Buscombe

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Gauke said:

It’s a privilege to be leading a department which touches the lives of so many people. The work we do here really matters, so I’m delighted to be leading a team of talented ministers committed to ensuring a welfare system which transforms lives and offers help to those who need it most.

I’d like to welcome Guy, Caroline and Peta, and welcome back Damian and Penny. Together we will work tirelessly to deliver fairness and opportunity for all, whatever people’s background or where they are from.

Minister for Employment, Damian Hinds said:

Our dedicated Jobcentre Plus teams and ground-breaking reforms like Universal Credit have contributed to record numbers of people getting back into, and staying in work.

This is great news but we want to go even further. I’m determined to build on this success and support more people into jobs as we aim towards full employment.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt, said:

Disabled people face barriers in all aspects of their lives and we believe in a comprehensive approach to tackling them.

I’m very pleased to be returning to the role to continue this important work. We’ve made good progress, and with the support of the sector, businesses and wider society I am confident we can do even more. I look forward to working together with all those who are passionate about this agenda to stop discrimination and improve opportunities for everyone.

Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, Guy Opperman said:

It is a privilege to have this opportunity to undertake a role promoting financial inclusion and helping people prepare for later life, with both a state and private pension.

Automatic enrolment has been a huge success and I look forward to our efforts to build on this.

Minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance, Caroline Dinenage said:

I’m committed to doing everything possible to support families to get on, have a secure place to live, and give their children the best start in life.

From making sure working parents can access good childcare, through to having the right support in place for families experiencing difficulties, I know how important these issues are in helping people to improve their lives and make the most of the opportunities available.

Lords Minister for Work and Pensions, Baroness Buscombe said:

The department plays a major role in helping to support people across Britain, and it is an honour to be their voice in the House of Lords.

I look forward to working with my colleagues across the department, and wider government, to ensure a sustainable welfare system which delivers vital help to the people who need it most.

Read more about the ministers.

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Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that a government emergency scheme – the Bellwin scheme – will be activated to support the immediate response operation following the horrific incident at Grenfell Tower in London.

Under the scheme, financial assistance is available to local authorities to help with immediate costs following a disaster or emergency in their area that involves danger to life or property. They can apply to have 100% of their eligible costs above a threshold reimbursed.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

First and foremost my thoughts are with the residents and families of those affected by the horrific incident at Grenfell Tower. Emergency services and the local community have been tremendous in their response.

As the Prime Minister has been clear, the Government stands ready to help in anyway possible. We’re determined to stand squarely behind the affected communities.

Funding through the Bellwin scheme will help councils support the community to get back on their feet.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said:

We are all deeply saddened by this terrible tragedy and are determined that all necessary support will be there for victims and their families.

That is why we have made emergency funding available so the local council can provide much-needed services to everybody affected.

Housing Minister Alok Sharma also confirmed today that working with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Government will guarantee that every single family from Grenfell Tower will be rehoused in the local area.

Background

The Bellwin scheme compensates authorities for the exceptional costs incurred in incidents such as flooding. Relevant authorities are eligible for costs under Bellwin when they have spent more than 0.2% of their calculated annual revenue budgets on emergency works.

Eligible authorities include:

• councils
• police authorities
• fire and rescue authorities
• national park authorities

The scheme provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The scheme is named after former Department of the Environment Minister Lord Bellwin.