A huge congratulations to students from Early Childhood, Social Studies, Career Development and Coaching Studies and Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE, on completing their studies!

While we were sad that we were unable to physically celebrate Winter Graduation this year, it was lovely to celebrate online with a few of our students.

Here, Gill Frigerio, Associate Professor, Career Studies and Coaching Programmes, congratulates our students on their achievements.

"Congratulations to all the students who were given awards at our November exam boards, whether it be a Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring, a Postgrad Award in Careers Leadership or a Masters in Career Development and Coaching Studies! We were delighted to be able to mark the occasion with some students on Monday, in lieu of the actual graduation ceremonies for MA graduates that would have taken place this week. We heard from students who have been awarded PG Certificates, Diplomas and MAs about their learning from the course and how they are taking creative and innovative steps in their practice as a result. We have all been working in challenging circumstances over the last year and for these students to have concluded their studies in this period is an even bigger achievement. Well done everyone!"

Welcome to the Centre for Lifelong Learning at The University of Warwick. We are delighted that you are joining us this year. I know, for many of you, this is the next step to achieving your personal and professional goals and we are looking forward to taking that journey with you.

It has been an unusual few months for us all, across the university we have been making changes to ensure campus is healthy and safe for staff and students. My colleagues within the Centre and your course teams have been working very hard to ensure we are able to welcome you to Warwick safely and that there is support in place to help you succeed. I know they have some very exciting and engaging teaching and learning opportunities awaiting you. The course teams have been working very closely to create a blended learning environment which ensures you have opportunities to develop your knowledge and learning skills. Your Course Directors and tutors will explain these to you in more detail.

Due to current restrictions, there will be times where staff are working away from their offices, so it may take slightly longer than usual for you to meet us all. However, there will be staff available on campus and we are here to support you throughout your time with us.

I look forward to meeting you online and face to face in the coming weeks.

A big warm WELCOME to our new students. After a summer of hard work and planning, we get to introduce a new group of adult learners who are ready to take on the challenge of university study to the Centre – and this year is (hardly!) any different. We hope they become a community of adult learners and can’t wait to see them graduate with their families by their sides in a few years’ time.

In the spirit of Adult Learners' Week 2020, we'd like to showcase some of our students who have returned to study.

• Jules Sparkle, student on the BA in Social Studies [2+2 degree pathway], applied for the degree after she was unsuccessful in a job application for not having a degree. Jules is now nearing the end of her time as a student at CLL and will be going onto further study at the University of East London. Read Jules' story here: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentstories/jules/
• Alana Wileman, student on the Foundation degree in Early Childhood, was always passionate about working with young children. Alana gave up her job in retail to work as a teaching assistant at her sons' school and then attended an open evening to find out more about the Early Childhood course and here she is now two years into the course. Read Alana's story here: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentstories/alana/
• Karen Burns, Full-time Social Studies student who had always thought of returning to study but found a reason to put it off. This all changed when an advert for our Gateway to HE course popped up on her Facebook. Now not only has she completed Gateway, she is coming to the end of her second year. Read Karen's story here: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentstories/karen/
• Clare Holland, student on the Career Development and Coaching Studies course, rekindled a desire to return to higher education when her teenage children were applying to university. It presented an opportunity for her to consolidate her personal development and guidance experience with a specific vocational qualification. Read Clare's story here: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentstories/clareh/
• Jim McGeoghegan, Teaching Fellow at CLL, began his CLL journey years ago when he studied the BA in Social Studies [ 2+2 degree pathway]. Now not only is he teaching on the Social Work programme here at CLL but his son is also a student on our Gateway to He course. Read about Jim's journey here: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/yourwarwick/studentstories/jim/

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