Stories From Learners

Hope

‘You’ve got to be an adult when you’ve got a kid.’

Completing school for Hope became very difficult after she became pregnant. When you have a baby, there’s so much to learn and the time you have left to do other things is limited.

‘At mainstream school, I struggled with the workload.’

Hope found that a lot of her friends disappeared after she had her baby. Motherhood can be an isolating experience because you are not as free as others to socialise or attend school at particular times.

Hope wanted to continue with her education but she needed a more flexible option. She found it at Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education’s Young Mum’s VCAL.

Young Mum’s VCAL is an innovative program that allows students to study both from home and at the Learn Local provider for a couple of days each week. The curriculum is designed to help students complete their secondary education and also to become capable parents. Importantly, it also gives young mums the opportunity to socialise with people in similar circumstances and to make friends.

‘It’s not just about doing your work. You are meeting new people and learning from each other.’

Hope has found the online component and being able to study from home really useful.

‘This is so much more flexible.’