A farmer’s wife has put her muddy wellies to one side to enter the glamorous world of beauty. with financial support from an Adult Learning Grant (ALG).

Sarah Hughes, who lives with her husband and daughters on a dairy farm in Neston, has decided to retrain for her dream career as a nail technician at West Cheshire College.

Now she is urging other mums to follow their New Year dreams by returning to college. and applying for an ALG through the Learning and Skills Council.

Sarah has been able to take up the course with the financial support of an Adult Learners Grant (ALG) through the Learning and Skills Council. ALG can offer up to £30 per week to adults aged 19 and over, who go back into learning and training, to help out with extra costs – from travel and books to materials and childcare.

Instead of driving tractors through the mud at her family farm, Sarah is learning the latest nail art, pedicure and manicure techniques through an NVQ Level 2 in beauty therapy and nail service at West Cheshire College, using the ALG to buy essential supplies for her course.

Sarah said: "Going back to college was a big step for me as I took 10 years out to have my daughters, but it’s been great and my family have backed me all the way. Getting the grant has taken away the strain of worrying about the costs of going back into education. It gives me that extra bit of independence and freedom without worrying that I’m draining the family finances.

"If there are any mums out there who made a New Year’s resolution to go back to college, I’d say go for it." and apply for ALG to help with the costs."

Sarah, who has already completed a work placement at Escape beauty parlour in Neston, hopes to become a mobile nail technician at the end of her year-long course.

She added: "I still help out on the farm, but now I make sure I wear gloves so I don’t get my hands dirty! I’ve already started to treat clients in college as a nail technician and I love it when people walk out looking relaxed with a smile on their face."

Amanda Flewitt, lecturer in nail services and beauty therapy at West Cheshire College, said: "Sarah is a very promising student. She is a total perfectionist and juggles her work at college with bringing up her children and helping to manage her family farm business.

"ALG is really helping Sarah and other students, as the nail services course is one of the most expensive courses due to the amount of equipment you have to buy."

To find out if you could be eligible for the Adult Learning Grant, visit www.direct.gov.uk/alg or call the learner support line on 0800 121 8989.

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Farmer’s wife turn trainee nail technician Sarah Hughes is on the verge of a new career. thanks to the Adult Learners Grant.