After retiring, life was great for a while until I got bored. I saw an advert for a part time cooking courses at Lancaster & Morecambe College and, at the age of 70, decided to enrol. My mother had been a confectioner and a great cook, so I thought it was appropriate to follow in her footsteps and see what I could do!

As I love being practical, I initially enroled onto the Mechanical Engineering Level 3 course in my first year, but then decided it wasn't for me. I changed to my current course Esports Level 3, as I wanted to turn my hobby into a profession. I particularly enjoy the Business Entrepreneurial and Health units, but an amazing add-on is the ability to play and compete in Esports games.

Think of this course as an investment in your future, think of your potential and how and what you can do to achieve it. The AAT Accounting Certificate offers you the basics of accounting and a fantastic opportunity to see what topics interest you. The course is a great foundation for employment or further studies. 

I think my biggest accomplishment has to be passing my GCSE Maths! It has opened up so many pathways into other areas that were previously out of bounds or restricted because of missing my GCSEs grades. This has definitely got to be my greatest achievements, and one that I am very proud of! 

I chose to study Art & Design at LMC because I have always been a creative person and art is what I’m best at and enjoy. The best part of my course is creating artwork for my projects. The tutors give you the freedom to explore your own style and make each piece truly personal.

The best part of my course is the freedom you are given on your projects, I love how I can customise and create art to suit my preferences. I am so grateful for the people I have met through College and how kind all the staff are in the department.

I would say that if you are interested in a creative job but are unsure which direction to take, the Art & Design courses at Lancaster & Morecambe College can offer you the guidance and skills to help you make that decision and take the next step.

I have always been a believer in Apprenticeships. If you want a career that you enjoy, then this is a great way to get the qualification and the experience at the same time. It's a great way to start your career, or if like me, you are after a career change.  Best of Luck!

My advice for anyone thinking of doing Health & Social Care Level 2 is to just go for it, especially if it's your passion. You could also get some experience by contacting local care homes and asking about volunteering or becoming an Ancillary Assistant, as that can jump start your career in Health & Social Care.

During my time at LMC, I gained the skills I needed to support children and young people in education and how to behave positively and professionally when working in the education industry. This first-hand experience resulted in me being offered a long-term role as a teaching assistant.

I chose this course as it aligns with my goals and many trips were offered. I liked that it was assignment-based, allowing me to put time into my work. As the College is quite far away it allowed me to meet new people. The transport to College was also free allowing me to get there and back easily.

I have significantly improved my communication and collaboration skills at LMC.