Eunice talks to Roy Noble about her awardEunice is a Community Based Learning Development Officer with the Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning based at the Caerleon campus of the University of Wales, Newport.
She'd already won the WEA Community Mentor Award but was surprised and delighted to take the top prize as well.
Student Farzana Khanom recommended Eunice for the award: "She believes she can change and improve people's lives despite them living in disadvantaged areas in Newport."
With a teaching background in IT and Basic Skills, Eunice's role is to recruit, support and advise adult learners returning to education in community venues across the city.
Eunice has a reputation for respecting everyone's individuality, and as a very strong role model treats everyone equally with a dedication, patience, encouragement and support that mean local people continue to sign up for more courses, regardless of age or background.
Farzana said: "Whatever courses or social event she organises, Eunice does it with passion, and puts her heart into it despite having her own health problems. She inspired me to further educate myself at a very difficult point in my life."
Fellow student Patience Ogunmilua added: "I had been out of education for over 16 years. I found the whole idea of going back to education really daunting, but thanks to Eunice's warm personality, encouragement, support and positive attitude, I took some courses, and now find myself in the second year of a degree course. Thanks Eunice, you're a star."
On winning her award, Eunice said: "In my role as a Learning Development Officer, I regularly come into contact with individuals who have had negative educational experiences in their lives.
"Consequently, they possess very little self confidence, and in encouraging them to re-engage in education, I hope that they begin to recognise how much potential they all possess.
"I firmly believe that their learning will empower them to take control of their lives, as well as valuing themselves and recognising their hidden abilities, and feel privileged to be involved with them in their learning journey."
Rob Humphreys, Director of NIACE Dysgu Cymru, congratulated Eunice on her achievement.
"Just as we all remember teachers who inspired us in school, there are figures of inspiration like Eunice who have an equally strong impact on adult learners.
"The Inspire Awards reward the great work being carried out every day in Wales that gives adults the support and encouragement to turn their lives around through learning."
your comments
Debbie & Tim - Salsa Class
How wonderful - it couldn't happen to a nicer more geniune person. Thank you for your friendship Eunice.
Mon Jan 29 10:05:04 2007
Annabella Gallimore, Newport
Meeting Eunice changed my way of thinking when it came to studing. I'm glad she won this award. Well done Eunice for all your hard work.
Thu Jan 4 15:02:54 2007
Anni Wilton-Jones, University of Wales, Newport
I first met Eunice when working in partnership with her while I was with, RISE, the learning network. She is a lovely person and very much dedicated to the learners whom she supports. This is a well-deserved award. Congratulations, Eunice!
Wed Dec 20 12:58:55 2006
Bev Weaver
Eunice works closely with myself and the community to encourage the local residents to participate in training opportunities, with an aim of improving their quality of life. Eunice is always full of fun and extremely supportive with anything I ask her to help with. Congratulations Eunice - this couldn't have happened to a nicer person.
Mon Dec 18 12:27:58 2006
Wendy Hale, Risca
I was delighted to see that Eunice has won this award. I started my teaching career with Eunice and we've both come a long way since then. Congratulations Eunice.
Mon Dec 18 11:41:56 2006
Nosheen Jellani - Newport
Congratulations on your award Eunice! You are an inspirational person. You've made an impact on so many people's lives including mine. Well done!
Mon Dec 18 11:41:47 2006
Michele Rutherford, Swansea
I have known Eunice since we were 14, when I changed schools two months into the term and Eunice was nominated by the teacher to teach me the basics of shorthand, despite having only been learning it for two months herself. More recently I have found her to be a very kind and supportive friend when I had a life threatening illness. Well done, Eunice, you deserve this award and I know that you have found it difficult at times with your own health problems, so enjoy the adulation.
Mon Dec 18 11:41:32 2006
Shade from London
Congratulations on winning the award, Well Done!
Mon Dec 18 11:41:18 2006
Tony Hopkins from Newport
Eunice Taylor is the type of person that most of us can never be, she is 100% good, 100% genuine and 100% trustworthy. A rare breed that doesn't have a bad bone in her body. Saying that she knows how to empathise with all of us who cannot hit those standards.
Thu Dec 14 16:04:23 2006
Debbie Wilcox from Newport
I am delighted to hear of Eunice's award - she works very closely with us at the Gaer and Maesglas Community Networks in promoting learning in the community through the RISE programmes. She richly deserves this recognition for her work in developing learning across the city. Llongyfarchiadau Eunice!
Thu Dec 14 10:23:47 2006
Sarah Lewis, Newport
Yes I know Eunice and I was actually one of the supporters of her award. I'm so happy she won as she truly deserved it. Well done Eunice!! And believe that everything that was written! You are an inspiration.
Thu Dec 14 10:23:26 2006
Nancy Jackson, Milford, Pembrokeshire
I had occasion to meet Eunice at the Pain Management Centre in Bronllys in April 2005 where we spent three weeks together with six other patients learning to cope and deal with our pain. I am not at all surprised that she has won this award as she was an inspiration to all of us on the course with her cheerfulness and determination despite her health problems. She has become a dear and valued friend and I only wish there were more people like her around then perhaps Wales would not have the social problems it has. I wish her love and good luck in all she does and consider it a privilege to call her a friend.
Wed Dec 13 15:21:49 2006
Jackie Maynard from Toronto, Canada
Eunice and I have been friends all our lives - we grew up together in Barbados and we both went to the United Kingdom - she went to Wales and I went to London. I now reside in Canada. Eunice is a great human being, she is very patient, very caring and compassionate and with these qualities I don't think they could have chosen a better person to receive the Roy Noble Award. Congratulations, keep up the good work. You got an award that you so richly deserve.
Wed Dec 13 14:45:18 2006
Janet James from Newport
I remember Eunice from way back in 1977-79 when we were working at the Royal Gwent Hospital, she as a young secretary and me as an unqualified social worker. We went our separate ways she to other jobs and me to qualify as a social worker. I followed Eunice's progress with admiration as she was a young mother with two children. In all those intervening years we never met, but always sent each other Christmas cards and news. It was not until two years ago that we finally met up at an International Womens' Day dinner. Eunice has had a remarkable career and has inspired many people to re-connect with education. She has had a well-deserved award.
Wed Dec 13 12:18:27 2006
Alison Starling, Charter Housing Association
Congratulations Eunice! Members of the Trinity Court creative writing club would echo Farzana's comments. A number of senior adult learners have been transformed by attending Goff Morgan's poetry class in Pill and a wealth of literary talent has been unearthed - thanks to you and Community Learning!
Wed Dec 13 12:17:43 2006
Roy Grant, Newport
I have known Eunice for as many years as I can remember and can with all surety endorse the comments that have been made in her honour. Eunice is a deserving participant, worthy of this accolade. She has worked tirelessly to bring learing and social cohesion into our diverse community. Congratulations,I'm sure there will be many more awards in the future.
Wed Dec 13 12:16:40 2006
Essex Havard
Well done Eunice. You are a star!
Tue Dec 12 15:31:54 2006
Eunice Taylor was crowned the Inspire Adult Tutor/Mentor of the Year 2006.
