Real learners 'No more regrets' Gwen Luxton, 73, left school at an early age and only recently returned to study. She found she lacked confidence and was self-conscious about being considerably older than most of the other mature students. "I have long regretted not having made better use of my educational chances when I was younger. I feel that I’m now a more interesting person, with a heightened awareness of the world. I’ve applied to Exeter University to study for a single honours degree in English, and hope to be given the opportunity to do this as the climax to my belated academic career." ‘Crossing borders’ Dusan Budimir, 66, left Bosnia in the middle of a civil war, and arrived in the UK with limited knowledge of English. He decided to join an art class to fulfil his ambition to express himself through painting, as well as attending language classes and continuing to study at home. "Being given the opportunity to learn at this late stage of my life has helped me enrich my existence in a situation which could otherwise have resulted in loneliness and isolation. I have now gained confidence to communicate and express myself in a way which helps cross all boundaries." ‘Boredom abolished’ Alan Godridge, 51, took voluntary redundancy from British Steel in 1981. After his own business failed, he was unemployed for several years, suffering depression and illness. He decided to return to education. Having completed an Access course in 1997, he is now in the final year of a BA (Hons) degree in Social Science. "I have never missed a tutorial or lecture in three years. Intensive study, debate and interaction with students of all age groups have enabled me to vanquish boredom forever. Far from being isolated due to age, I have become an accepted, integral part of my study group. Higher education has provided me with a number of key skills. From being a complete novice with computer phobia, I now surf the internet for information. And delivering seminars to peer groups has given me confidence and self-esteem." ‘Joy of living’ Lilian Shoursmith, 76, attends classes in Tai Chi, Living Joyfully and Complete Healing at her local Age Concern group. "These classes are exactly what I need. All three engender calmness and a joy of living. I love my Tai Chi classes. We are learning to relax, to take things slowly, to think before we do each movement – how to turn, and to keep our mouths shut (a miracle) so as not to interfere with two meridians. I never thought I would ever be able to bend down, touch my toes and straighten up again! It’s good to realise that younger people understand that when you reach 60 you don’t lose your mind and cease to want to learn. We didn’t have these benefits when we were young – some were not even heard of – and to be given the opportunity to learn new skills is very satisfying." ‘What a turn-around!’ Norah Twelftree, 68, suffered a serious nervous breakdown in 1996. She was admitted to hospital, where art was recommended as a form of occupational therapy. After discharge, her counsellor suggested she join an art class, where she was taught to paint. "I had very mixed feelings about joining the art class. But my tutor and other students made me most welcome and I soon felt comfortable there. From my art lessons I gained many new friends, much more confidence in myself, and an opportunity to exhibit my pictures locally – I’ve been fortunate enough to sell quite a few. There is no stopping me now. I have a completely different outlook on life and my days are full: painting, visiting elderly neighbours, having my grandchildren to stay, working at our local hospital serving tea and talking to the patients. I even ride a mountain bike. "I recently received an invitation to a Silver Wedding party: under my name was written ‘Celebrated artist of this parish’. It certainly made me feel good about myself! When I had my breakdown I thought of myself as worthless and of no use to anyone – what a remarkable turn-around to my life now." ‘A new-found freedom’ Bill Thomson plucked up the courage to enrol in an Adult Basic Education class after his daughter asked him to spell a word and he couldn’t. Joining the class was to transform his life. "Something wonderful happened that was to turn my world upside-down in my early fifties," Bill says. He discovered that as well as being dyslexic, he also had Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which made it difficult to focus on black or blue text on white paper. With the help of a yellow filter, he learned to read and write properly, and now enjoys "a new-found freedom". Bill’s schooldays had been a nightmare because of his dyslexia. "At that time, children like me were considered nervous and backward," he recalls. After years of unhappiness and frustration, Bill is now a prolific writer of stories and poetry, and has had exhibitions of his work in a variety of places. He is also a vigorous campaigner on behalf of dyslexic children, visiting schools to help motivate and encourage those who find it difficult to learn.

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