Meet Saul: Making change happen through adult learning
For Saul, returning to education isn’t just about career progression, it’s about purpose. Balancing work, study and family life, she’s currently studying Health and Social Care at New City College, determined to use her learning to strengthen the healthcare sector and give back to her community.
“I believe change comes from within yourself,” she says. “So I’m going to college to start that change and using it to give back to society.”
With health and social care jobs growing by around 2% each year, the sector continues to face huge demand for qualified, compassionate professionals. For adults like Saul, adult education offers the chance to step up, gain skills and help fill those crucial roles.
Turning passion into purpose
Working as a healthcare assistant, Saul sees first-hand the pressures faced by the industry.
“We’re short-staffed all the time — it’s in the news constantly,” she says. “I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem. Adult education gives people like me a chance to get qualified and make a difference. For me, going back to college is about investing in myself so I can give back to others.”
“Going back to college is about investing in myself so I can give back to others.”
Balancing work, study and motherhood hasn’t been easy, but Saul’s commitment is unwavering.
“I only work two nights a week so it doesn’t interfere with being a mum. I study whenever I can — sometimes after the school run, sometimes late at night. It’s hard, but every hour I spend studying is an investment in my future.”
Why adult education matters
For Saul, adult education is about empowerment — for individuals, for families, and for society.
“Everyone deserves access to education, no matter their age or background. Without it, people can end up relying on benefits when they could be supported to learn and work. With the help of adult education, we can fix staff shortages in essential services like healthcare. Empowering adults means empowering communities.”
“With the help of adult education, we can fix staff shortages in essential services like healthcare. Empowering adults means empowering communities.”
A message to decision-makers
Saul worries that cuts to adult learning could take away opportunities that transform lives — and harm the very communities that need them most.
“If the cost of these courses went up or funding was taken away, I’d be heartbroken,” she says. “My dream to help my community in East London would be much harder to achieve. Adult learning isn’t just about personal success — it’s about building a stronger society. It transforms lives, not just for people like me, but for the people we serve every day.”
“Adult learning isn’t just about personal success — it’s about building a stronger society.”
Find out more
Discover flexible, part-time and funded courses for adults at New City College and join the campaign to protect lifelong learning.
