Courses in Carlisle

Adult Learning Manager

Hi, my name is Mike Wigham and I'm the Adult Learning Manager in Carlisle. I love my job and feel such pride in providing a service that helps so many people to access courses and qualifications to support their education and health and wellbeing requirements. When I'm not at work I relax by improving my baking skills in the kitchen and spending time with my young family.

Business Support

Hi, my name is Nicola and I work as Business Support for Adult Learning.  I have worked for Adult Education since 2004.  I like to meet and speak to our potential learners, pointing them in the right direction to help them achieve in their continuing education. Hearing how our learners progress through the various levels of our courses and their achievements gained is what I find so inspiring about my job.

Community Development Worker

I am Sam MacLean, the Community Development Worker for Adult Learning - Carlisle. My role is to work with Partner Organisations to set up courses for individuals that would benefit from Building Confidence and Communication Skills, Maths, English and Digital Skills. I also liaise with schools to set up Family Learning courses for children and their parents/carers to enhance their knowledge around Resilience, Maths, English, Online safety and Healthy lifestyles. When I'm not working or busy with my 3 boys I enjoy the odd challenge - walking 26 miles along Hadrian's Wall and Paragliding from a mountain in Turkey were both fabulous experiences!

ESOL Tutor

I am Anne Dias and I'm an ESOL Tutor. I have taught English as a foreign language in France and Spain and in different parts of the UK. I have taught ESOL in the community and worked in Adult Literacy with learners in Manchester and Dumfriesshire.  My voluntary work over the years has included public first aid with both St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross, health walk leading and fundraising for CAFOD. I recently stewarded at the Carlisle Passion Play.

Teaches ESOL, Spanish and French

I am Diane Stanswood. I joined Adult Learning in autumn 2015 teaching French in the evenings. In 2016, I started teaching Spanish and then in November 2017 I began teaching ESOL to some of the Syrian refugee families who had arrived in Cumbria. I am currently delivering ESOL, Spanish and French. I am passionate about education for all and the importance of learning. I love languages and traveling as well as hiking, gardening and Manchester United!

Mindfulness Teacher

Hello, Jane Hodgkinson here, Mindfulness Teacher with Adult Learning.

An interest in health and wellbeing led me into a career in nursing which later diversified into training to teach healthcare topics.

Having discovered the benefits of Mindfulness on a personal level, I was keen to share this with others who may benefit too;

So I now combine my knowledge of health and wellbeing, teaching skills and enthusiasm for mindfulness to support others as they experience, explore and develop a mindfulness practice.

Jenny Torrealva Stevenson - ESOL Tutor

With a master's degree in education, a background in MFL, English and QTLS, Jenny's first job as an English teacher set her off on a career in English language in a few roles including teacher, editor, mentor and language researcher. After working in different schools, colleges and universities as an English and Spanish Lecturer in South America and the UK, she joined Cumbria County Council, initially as a Spanish tutor and is currently teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). 

Jenny is a highly experienced ESOL Tutor. In her teaching practice Jenny has worked with learners of different nationalities and now is working with groups of refugees. Teaching is something that she is very passionate about.

Away from her computer and the classroom, Jenny loves listening to music, writing poetry, enjoying the countryside and playing the piano.

Linda Cousins - Adult Learning Tutor - Learners with learning difficulties or disabilities (LLDD)

My name is Linda Cousins and I joined Adult Learning in September of this year and work in the LLDD section of Adult Learning.  I work around Carlisle in different venues delivering Community Learning activities to groups of learners as well as teaching 1-1.  In addition to arts and crafts I teach Independent Living Skills and enjoy creating ways to make learning fun.  The courses are based around meaningful learning opportunities designed to develop self-confidence and skills which promote a level of independence and growth. I am passionate about teaching and it gives me great satisfaction when I see learners come together and broaden their experiences, build in confidence and self-esteem, are engaged and motivated as they work towards developing a range of skills and realise their potential.

I enjoy gardening and have created a few community gardens along my teaching journey with groups of learners.  I also enjoy walking, cooking and baking as well as anything arts and crafts.

I'm Lynn Nixon and I joined Adult Education in June 2021 as a Community Learning and Skills Tutor.

I teach Arts and Crafts, covering Painting, Illustration, Book Illustration and Drawing. I like nothing more that to help someone turn a blank piece of paper into something amazing! I work with people from 19 -73 (and counting) and absolutely love my job. Teaching art is also about bringing out hidden talent, confidence and sharing ideas with like-minded people. Being creative is a great way to relax, let go of stress and  always with the knowledge that Art can never be 'wrong' but it can always be fun.

When I'm not teaching I still make art, as it's my passion! I love colour and experimenting with different media and techniques. I work in a little shed in my garden where I can make a mess and listen to my dog snoring by my feet. It's heaven.

On sunny dry days I like to walk with friends or my partner, and on wet days I like to watch old black and white films and eat crisps!

LLDD tutor

My name is Miriam Gibson and I have been an LLDD tutor for Cumbria County Council for eight years. I teach Skills for Life, Maths, English, Cooking and Wonders of Nature.

I live with my husband and my dog, Poppy.

In my spare time I enjoy walking with my dog, gardening and cooking. I am part of a reading group which encourages a variety of genres, the discussions around the books are very lively and great fun.

Community Learning and Skills (Digital)

I am Nigel Cannar and joined Adult Learning in January 2023. After serving 22 years in the Army I found a second career in education. First training engineering apprentices then moving into sixth form management and teaching in Carlisle. I have taught a variety of courses, Public Services, Engineering, ICT, Workskills before final ending up as a psychology teacher. Throughout all of these technology has always featured heavily. I am passionate about the role that technology can have in enhancing and making our lives easier. I hope to share my passion with you.

In my spare time I love looking after my grandchildren, learning to play the guitar - slowly, course fishing and travelling.

Teaches Maths and English

I am Nyrie, I have enjoyed teaching for over 25 years and currently teach Maths and English with Adult Education, from Functional Skills to GCSE. I developed my skills and love of teaching within schools, assisting young people with varying needs and abilities to feel successful. However, my greatest joy is in teaching adults, particularly watching them grow in confidence and achieve their dreams. It is a great privilege to hear a learner say that they can now help their child with homework, or another deciding to apply for their dream job. It makes my job worthwhile!

Language Tutor

I am Olesya. I taught English and German in Russia for 10 years before moving to the UK, where I now also teach my native Russian. Learning a language has tangible educational benefits, but the intangible recreational wellbeing that accompanies it is important too. I like to lead learners on a journey of discovery using various techniques, media and activities, then encourage them to socialise in their new language.

I am Phil Tinning. My day job is as an energy consultant but I am also a qualified rock climbing instructor (SPA) and a Mountain Leader (MLs), Duke of Edinburgh Supervisor and Assessor, and Outdoor First Aid trained. I use these skills to take individuals and groups of all ages out into the hills in all conditions, train and assess professional outdoor qualifications and also teach evening classes for Adult Learning - helping to build learners' confidence and giving them the skills to be safe in the mountains. I love everything to do with Mountaineering, Hillwalking, Skiing, Ski Touring, Rock Climbing, Adventure Travel, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Road Bilking, and Teaching mountain skills to anyone that has a passion for the outdoors.

Examiner for the AQA English Language

I am Yvonne Metherell. I have worked in a range of Adult and Further Education settings for 18 years. I have taught English GCSE, English literature 'A' level and a variety of other courses including creative writing and Sociology. I have previously worked for a mental health charity in Leeds and a book publisher in London. I am currently working as an Examiner for the AQA English Language.