With unwavering determination and the support of Adult Learning Wales’ (ALW) dedicated Flexible Essential Skills team and the ALW quality team, North Wales-based learner Sinead Tia Barry-Blackham has not only navigated but triumphed over significant personal barriers on her learning journey. Her story is a testament to perseverance and the power of tailored support.

Sinead suffers from extreme Social Anxiety, which presented considerable hurdles with her studies.  In her Essential Skills Wales Level 2 Communication controlled tasks she had to wear sunglasses during the discussion and presentation elements due to a severe twitch in her eye, which occurred when she was anxious.
 
Sinead failed her Essential Skills Wales Level 2 qualification in Application of Number Level 2 twice, but after persevering and with support from her tutors, she passed on the third attempt. She was never going to give up; she was determined to pass!
 
Before each exam, Sinead would talk to Catrin Roberts, a Quality Assurance Administrator and an exam invigilator with ALW. Catrin invigilated Sinead on a 1:1 basis in a safe space as she couldn’t be in a room with the other learners due to her anxieties. Over the course of Sinead’s exams, the pair got talking at the end of the exam sessions about lots of things, including the difficulties Sinead has faced in life and personal problems that are still ongoing in her life.

The growth in Sinead’s confidence has increased her employment opportunities. Sinead now has a part-time job at her local TK Maxx, where she works in a customer service position, which requires interaction with customers. Catrin said: “This is something I could never imagine when I met Sinead back in February, where she couldn’t even make eye contact with me. Her gaining confidence and dealing with her anxieties has been an incredible achievement.”

Looking ahead, Sinead hopes to enrol on an Access Course at her local college in January 2026, with the goal of then moving on to university. Sinead’s learning journey demonstrates that with the right support, not just academic success is possible; you can overcome even the most daunting personal barriers.  We wish Sinead all the best with her continued learning.

Sinead is one of the many learners from across Wales who have accessed Adult Learning Wales’ Flexible Essential Skills programme. Sinead has completed her Level 2 Essential Skills Wales qualification in Communication Skills, which is accepted by the vast majority of colleges and universities in Wales as an equivalent to GCSE A-C grade in English Language.

Alongside the Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication, Adult Learning Wales also offers courses in Level 2 Application of Number. If you would like to find out more about our Flexible Essential Skills programme, please visit this link here