NEWS

Jenny is awarded an MBE

Jenny Harriman has been working in Adult and Community Learning since 1978 has now been recognised for her achievements with an MBE.

Her MBE was awarded for Services to Adult Education and must in some part have been due to her work with ACE as she was asked to attend a reception at Lancaster House to meet the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his wife three days before the news of her MBE became public. At this event she was listed as the founder of ACE.

In 1988 she moved to Brixham Community College as Adult Tutor. She has worked in the town for almost 19 years and is now Head of Brixham Adult and Community Learning Centre, still based at Brixham College but employed by South Devon College .

Two years ago the ACL Department moved to new purpose built premises on the Westover Close side of the site enabling a larger programme of daytime adult classes using the improved facilities. Each year 1,500 people come to classes in Brixham enjoying the innovative and broad programme offered.

Jenny is well known for building up provision for physically disabled people. Soon after she arrived she instigated the Thursday Group which began with eight people. As more people began to attend it was realised that the only way to fund this work was to set up a users committee and obtain charitable status. So, ACE (Access to Community Education) was born. Today there are over 100 members. The group is run on a self help basis and needs £75,000 per year to subsidise ACE classes, taxis, Care Workers, and specialist equipment. Members can join classes in Drama, Art, Crafts, Creative Writing, Pottery, Swimming, Gardening, Sports Mobility and Textiles or move onto mainstream provision.

Jenny said “I was stunned when the letter arrived telling me that I was being recommended for the MBE. I was speechless and had to sit down to take it in as it seemed so unreal. Then to get a letter inviting me to meet Tony and Cherie Blair!

It was really interesting experience as I met people from all over the UK who worked in the NHS, Prisons, Schools, Guides, NVQ Trainers, Police and Adult Education. It was a warm evening so we were able to go out on the terrace at the rear of Lancaster House bordering on Pall Mall . When Tony Blair arrived he was a little late but quickly apologised and quipped that he had a good excuse as he had been to see the Queen. He then moved amongst the guests with photographers taking snaps and a video recording of the event. He said we had all been invited as we had done something extraordinary.”

Jenny now is awaiting her call to Buckingham Place for the investiture ceremony sometime in the next five months. She hopes that receiving this award in recognition of her work with disadvantaged groups will aid their cause. There is great pressure on the group as ACE no longer has a Lottery grant and requires £35k per year to replace this core funding.