Oluwakemi

Making a change: How Oluwakemi is using adult education to give back to her community 

‘I believe change comes from within yourself, so I’m going to college to start that change and using it to give back to society.’

Balancing family life, work, and study is no easy task, but for Oluwakemi, returning to education is about giving back. She is currently studying Health and Social Care at New City College, driven by her desire to strengthen the healthcare sector and help those in her neighbourhood. 

Health and social care jobs continue to grow on average by 2% each year, showing just how vital and expanding this sector is for the UK’s future. For students like Oluwakemi, training in Health and Social Care isn’t just about career progression—it’s about stepping into a field that directly supports communities and saves lives. 

What motivated you to return to education? 

I currently work as an assistant in healthcare, and I see constantly that we’re short staffed. It’s in the news all the time – the sector needs more qualified people. 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 and to my community. 

How do you balance work, study, and family life? 

It can definitely be challenging and it’s a big life change. I only work two nights a week so that it doesn’t interfere with being a mother. I study in the library whenever I can but after the school run and helping my children with their homework, there’s not much resting time! But it’s worth it because every hour I spend studying is an investment in my future. I believe change comes from within yourself, so I’m going to college to start that change and using it to give back to society. 

What does adult education mean to you? 

For me, it means being empowered. Everyone deserves access to education, no matter their age or background. Without access, people end up relying on benefits, when we could be supporting them to gain the skills needed for employment. With the help of adult education, we can fix staff shortages in essential services like healthcare. Empowering adults means empowering communities. Since returning to study, I’ve gained confidence, and people at work can see the changes – they see me improving and wanting to make a real difference.  

What would you say to those who make decisions about adult learning? 

If the cost of these courses went up or funding was taken away, I’d be heartbroken. 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 and creating opportunities. It transforms lives, not only for people like me, but also for the people we serve every day in our jobs and the communities we belong to.