Christina

Background:

When Christina was young she somehow knew she was very intelligent but could not express herself too well. She was told at school by two different teachers that she was illiterate and told to work in a factory. This was a real blow to her as she always had wanted to learn. It also had a psychological effect on her. She got through to adulthood and was in employment. Determined, she trained to become a McMillan Nurse dealing with people with HIV/Cancer. She enjoyed her work but it also affected her mental health situation. Some time ago she was made redundant from McMillan Nursing and this was another blow as by now she had become a workaholic. She suffered with depression. At the age of 32 she was diagnosed as being dyslexic. This helped explain a few things in her life. She did not receive much help medically and soon she took solace from alcohol.

Why Hillcroft?

Christina saw a poster of Hillcroft on a wall in a Centre and thought “this is for me”. The offer was exactly what she needed, including extra support and free tuition and accommodation. She came on a Women’s Health course in October 2004 followed by English GCSE course.

Christina says:

"To me English Language was the key to the world and I was on top the world when I realised I could start off by doing the GCSE course at Hillcroft. Being able to be resident at Hillcroft and through additional support from the staff and peers and my own determination, I got an A grade in GCSE. The dyslexia course also taught me a lot. I feel the traditional teaching in the national systems failed me, but Hillcroft has given me my life, hope and self-respect back."