Ely College hosted an inspiring awards evening to celebrate adult learners who have made amazing progress.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ely was the inspiring volunteer Sam Clift and excellent volunteer group Anita Feltell and Kevin Ball of the Manea Internet Club.

Inspirational learner was Zaynab Jurabay, inspiring supporter was Christine Dade; excellent partnerp Andrew Hodgkinson (Ely JCP) and excellent provider: GAP Learning CIC.

Getting into work: Samir Osman; supporting into work: Mark Hawking (Switch Now CIC) and Kenny Cox (March Adult Learning and Skills Centre).

Career progression award went to Louise Hill.

County Councillor Lis Every presented the awards with Lynsi Hayward-Smith, head of adult learning and skills at the county council.

Cllr Mathew Shuter said: “The achievements of our learners and partners over the last academic year have been truly inspirational.

“Their success will hopefully encourage others to join a class in the future.”

The #BeInspired Adult Learning and Skills Awards 2017 was sponsored by a number of local and national organisations.

Among the winners was Zainab Jurabay a mother-of-three, who lives in Cambridge, who came to the city as a refugee from Afghanistan and her only way of communicating was smiling and saying ‘sorry’ a lot.

But after two terms on the English for Speakers of Other Languages course, run by the Adult Learning and Skills service, her communication skills have gone from strength to strength.

Sam Clift, who has volunteered as a digital champion for nine years, was the winner of the inspiring volunteer award after bringing a club that teaches people internet skills who are over the age of 55 or disabled “to life”.

The Adult Learning and Skills Service aims to help individuals, communities and businesses fulfil their potential and to grow, giving them access to a variety of support including careers advice and a range of support for skills development and routes into employment.