Ex-convict wins learner’s accolade

May 30 2008 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

Ex-convict wins learner’s accolade

A FORMER convict turned his life around.

Andrew Dean, 46, of Carmel Close, Blacon, is on his way to becoming a youth worker after time in prison and a heart attack made him realise he had to change for his family.

Andrew, who has three children and one grandchild, has now won a Regional Individual Learner Award from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), as part of Adult Learners’ Week.

He has also been nominated for a £1,000 grant from the Helena Kennedy foundation for when he starts at NEWI in September to study youth and communication studies.

“When I survived the heart attack in 2001, I realised I had been given a second chance at life,” Andrew said.

“I was doing stupid things like getting into fights, drinking and generally behaving badly but when I had the heart attack I realised it was time to take control of my life.”

This happened at the same time as his son’s school was advertising a Healthy Eating course, which led to courses including first aid, football coaching and Spanish. He also passed Level 1 and 2 Literacy and Level 1 Numeracy exams.

Andrew, who also works part- time at Chester Zoo, had a difficult upbringing as one of 16 children and had left school with no qualifications. But with his new outlook he was determined to make changes, starting with his education.