Linda Knight, aged 52, from Wolverhampton - regional indivdual award winner
Linda Knight had to survive terrible mental and physical cruelty as a child. She missed out on most of her education and grew up unable to read and write. Now in her 50s, despite continuing hardship in adulthood, she has found happiness again after taking a leap of faith and going to college.
“The sweetest and happiest time I can remember about my childhood was when I was five to eight years old. Going to school was like going out to play – so exciting. But at eight my life changed – what was happening to me at home made me want to die. At 11 years old I ran away and never went back. Now I’m in my 50s and coming to terms with the past. I’m back to my happy days. My life is on track at last.”
After approaching City of Wolverhampton College, an assessment found she had dyslexia. Soon her academic achievement helped her gain enormous confidence. Tutors say her progress has been astounding. In one year she has gone from a low Entry Level literacy to gain an OCR level 1 certificate – a tremendous achievement for what is the first formal recognition of her academic achievement.
Linda is currently working towards a Level 2 certificate in literacy, and Entry 3 in numeracy. Recently she was awarded College Student of the Year. “College has given me a feeling in the pit of my stomach that I’ve never experienced before,” she says. “It feels like my soul has come to life.”