Adult Learning Pays: Gemma’s Story

After growing up with significant barriers to education and only learning to read as an adult, Gemma Jackson has transformed her confidence, independence and opportunities through adult learning at Bradford College. Now studying GCSE English and maths while running a community café, she is encouraging others to take the first step back into education.

At 46 years old, Gemma Jackson is living proof that it’s never too late to learn.

Now studying English and maths at Bradford College, Gemma runs Lily’s Café in Wibsey, a community-focused space that provides free meals and activities for children in the local area each week. Through the café, she helps create opportunities for young people to learn, play and build confidence in a safe and welcoming environment. But just a few years ago, she was unable to read and had spent much of her life developing ways to navigate daily tasks without the literacy skills many people take for granted.

“I didn’t really have an education,” she explains. “I’ve got learning difficulties and growing up, we spent very little time in a classroom. Learning has always been a struggle, but I really wanted to progress.”

For years, Gemma taught herself what she could at home. However, enrolling in a formal course felt impossible. But an unexpected conversation with a Bradford College staff member visiting her café changed everything.

“That set it all off really,” she says. “The support has been amazing from day one.”

A daunting first step

Returning to education after decades away from the classroom was far from easy.

“I was absolutely petrified,” Gemma admits. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but I’m glad I did.”

Having spent most of her life finding ways around reading and writing, many everyday tasks were challenging.

“Getting a bus could take me three hours because I couldn’t read signs. I’d go to buy shampoo and come home with conditioner because I was looking at the colours instead of the labels.”

Despite her fears, Gemma was determined to keep going.

“I cried for three weeks solid when I first started,” she recalls. “But I kept turning up. Looking back, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Progress through personalised support

Gemma began her journey on Functional Skills courses before progressing through Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3, then onto GCSE preparation. This summer she sat her GCSE exams and narrowly missed a pass in English, which she plans to re-sit in November. Her progress has been supported every step of the way by Bradford College’s teaching and disability support teams.

Rather than being placed immediately into a large classroom, Gemma started with one-to-one learning sessions before gradually building up to larger groups.

“If they’d thrown me straight into a classroom, it would have been terrible for me,” she says. “They recognised what I needed and put the right support in place.”

She also praises the flexibility and understanding shown by her tutors.

“My teachers know me. They know what I can do and what I struggle with. If I feel overwhelmed, there are things in place to support me.”

Particular praise goes to her English tutor, Adam.

“He’s absolutely tremendous. He’s strict but kind at the same time, which is exactly what I need. I wouldn’t have enjoyed English nearly as much if it hadn’t been for him.”

Learning for life

Alongside running her café and supporting local families, Gemma dedicates around three hours every evening to studying.

“It’s hard work,” she says. “But I make it fun. I turn things into games and challenges in my head.”

The impact extends far beyond gaining qualifications. Her growing literacy skills are helping her manage her business, understand important documents and better support the children and families she works with through Lily’s Café. She also enjoys learning alongside the children in her own life, who often help her practise spelling and reading.

“It’s become a circle of learning,” she explains. “The children teach me things and I teach them things.”

Studying has also given Gemma greater confidence and independence. Recently, she travelled abroad for a holiday, something she believes would have been impossible before returning to education.

“I could read signs and directions. There would have been no chance of that before.”

The ability to read has also enabled her to research information independently, make informed decisions and avoid some of the difficulties she faced in the past.

“If you’re signing something, you need to know what it says. Before, I made mistakes because I couldn’t read it properly. Now I can find things out for myself.”

Creating opportunities for others

Gemma’s ambitions stretch beyond achieving her own GCSEs. She is passionate about improving access to education for people with learning difficulties and wants to use her experiences to encourage others to take that first step.

“I think there are lots of people with disabilities who could succeed in education. Sometimes it’s just getting over that first hurdle.”

Her advice for adults considering a return to learning is simple.

“Do it. The support at Bradford College is fantastic. If the online application feels daunting, go in and talk to someone. Take a friend with you if you need to. There will be people there to help.”

“Everyone should have this experience”

Asked what has been the most rewarding part of returning to education, Gemma’s answer is immediate.

“Joy,” she says. “Just joy.”

Whether it’s reading information in historic buildings, understanding the world around her more deeply or simply gaining confidence in everyday life, learning has opened doors she never thought possible.

“It’s not just given me a visual look at things anymore; it’s given me a knowledge look as well.”

If she could describe Bradford College in three words, her answer reflects the impact education has had on her life:

“Opportunity, joy and fun.”

And her final message is one that perfectly captures the spirit of Adult Learning Pays Week:

“Everyone should have this experience.”