Course(s): Craft courses
Training partner: GCDA
Fulfilling personal passions with Crafts courses led Gillian to entering a new chapter in her life teaching ESOL courses
Gillian Allison spent 26 years teaching modern European languages in Greenwich before taking early retirement due to health concerns. It was then that she finally acted on a Facebook post she’d seen advertising GCDA adult learning, signing up for free patchwork and art classes.
“GCDA’s adult courses are free as part of Greenwich Learns – which for someone like me, living on a small pension, is really helpful,” says Gillian. She quickly discovered a flair for lino cutting and so enjoyed her new creative skills that she began volunteering alongside Art Tutor Joanna Clinton at GCDA’s children's sessions at Eltham and Woolwich libraries.
It was there she heard that GCDA was looking for an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. Encouraged by Joanna to apply, Gillian dusted off her CV and landed the job. Two years on, she is a valued member of the GCDA team, teaching at Woolwich Front Room, Kidbrooke Community Hub and Glyndon Community Centre, where she helps the local Nepalese community improve their English. She has also been employed by the Uganda Community Relief Association (UCRA) – another training partner at Greenwich Learns.
“The opportunities opened up from Greenwich Learns, has enabled me to grow and contribute in ways I would never have imagined post-retirement,” she reflects. “You’re in an environment where you feel safe, whilst meeting new people, learning different skills, and making connections. The possibilities are endless.”
Read more about Gillian’s journey on the GCDA blog.
Our range of creative courses will help you develop a passion or discover new interests. Our cooking courses cover all the basics as well as global cuisines and knife skills. Our craft courses include sewing and making, specialist embroidery, drawing and painting, macramé, creative writing and more.
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Our range of courses can help you start or develop a new passion. Courses cover drawing and painting, ceramics form and surface, cake decoration, sewing and creative textiles, digital and black & white photography, creative writing, stained glass, flower arranging, jewellery making, and more.
Find out more and book
Nurture your creativity through craft courses. Explore interests such as ceramics, flower arranging, jewellery making, baking and cake decoration, hat making, macramé, stained glass, sewing, and creative textiles. Courses available for all experience levels and to support you to progress.
ESOL course are designed to help you if you are new to English or want to build your basic English language skills. Learn to start speaking in English for everyday life, and develop to improve your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to advanced level.
Hearing someone else’s story can inspire you to start your learning journey.
