UCM Celebrates Foundation Learning Students' Success

The event coincides with Learning Disability Week (20th - 26th June) which was created and run by UK Charity MENCAP, and this year’s theme is ‘Living Life with a Learning Disability’, which aims to show people how those with learning difficulties have overcome the recent challenges of COVID restrictions and how they are reconnecting with friends and managing day to day challenges, post pandemic.  

During the ceremony 12 students with various learning abilities attended the ceremony to collect their certificates, trophies and prizes.  

Students who study Foundation Learning, vary in abilities, ranging from those studying at Level 1 who require additional support with their studies to complex needs. 

(Mrs) Alison Higson, Programme Manager for Foundation Learning, said “We are extremely proud of all of our students. They have all worked incredibly hard this year, and continue to approach every task with a positive, can-do attitude. It’s been a difficult few years and young people, particularly those with additional support needs, have shown incredible resilience and positivity.  

 “Although this week is specifically ‘Learning Disability Week’, highlighting the achievements and challenges that those with learning differences overcome on a daily basis, is something we as a team, are proud to do every day”.  

This year’s winners are: 

  • Most improved Full-time learner: Thomas Unsworth 
  • Most improved Part-time learner: Tom Read 
  • Endeavour Award: Owen Wrigley and Adam Khan  
  • Contribution to Group and Team: Ben Potts 
  • Vocational Award – Work Experience: Nicola Maloney 
  • Recognition of Outstanding Effort: Will Grosvenor 
  • Life Skills Award: Nicole Halsall Polo                                      
  • The Annie Gill Award: Thomas Dallimore 
  • Pride and Motivation Award: Ellie Lewis 
  • Foundation Learning Part Time Award: Kieran Ash               
  • General Studies Student of the Year: Kanyeba Lubilanji 

 UCM would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their kind prize donations: Rushen Rotary, Elaine’s Flowers, Autism in Mann, Ardole Farm, Douglas Rotary, Bobby Saddler Agricultural Supplies, Annie Gill Family, Gill & John Skinner and Isle of Man Advertising and PR Ltd. 

Two winning students, Kanyeba Lubilanji and Kieran Ash, have also recently achieved success at the 2022 Special Olympics. Bringing home a bronze in football, as well as one gold, two silvers, and a sixth-place ribbon in Swimming. 

Many of the students who attended the ceremony, also work at UCM’s student-run Annie Gill café, open to the public during term time. The café is one of the University College’s four realistic working environments, where students gain hands-on experience in the workplace.  

UCM will be posting a series of videos across their social media platforms throughout Learning Disability Week, to highlight the importance of promoting awareness and spreading kindness.