It’s never too late to follow your dreams
Vera Benfield is proof that you’re never too old to learn something new. The grandmother-of-four is pursuing her love of dance well into her ninth decade, and her astounding achievement has been highlighted at the adult learners’ Week, an annual event designed to celebrate lifelong learning.
Vera, 85, who grew up in Kenton, Middlesex, and trained as an aerobics teacher, was never able to take dance lessons when she was growing up.
However, her lifelong learning took off when her daughter, Jill, started gymnastics as a child and Vera was determined to get involved.
She completed various courses and gained an assistant coach qualification, helping young gymnasts win competition medals. Then, in the mid-eighties, she trained as an aerobics teacher at her local YMCa in Croydon and passed her course with distinction.
On the course, she met a ballet teacher, who invited her to weekly ballet lessons and she grasped the opportunity — she’s been going ever since.
Vera says: ‘i never had the chance to participate in ballet as a child, and i didn’t know it was possible to take it up any time in life. These ballet classes have made me realise anything is possible at any age.
‘My husband sadly passed away in early 2000, and my world felt as if it had fallen apart. But i’ve been able to find a new life without him by learning ballet and ballroom dancing, and taking part in fitness classes. The skills i have learned and the wonderful friends i have made enable me to have an active and positive outlook on life.’
Vera’s award nominator, louise Mcalpine, says: ‘Vera is an incredible woman and watching her in class is an inspiration. She never fails to amaze us with her agility: performing the splits at the end of her barre work, and her enthusiasm for jumping steps makes us all feel humbled.’
John Pierre-Madigan, 49, from Huddersfield, also used adult learning to change tack. He worked as a fork-lift truck driver before starting a degree course with the Open University.
He went on to gain qualifications including degrees in Health and Social Care and Community Justice as well as Masters degrees in education and Social Policy and Criminology. He is now an associate lecturer at the Open University and tutors a foundation degree in Youth Justice and Childhood modules.
John says: ‘adult learning completely changed my life. i now pass on my experience and knowledge to others, where they can make a difference to their lives and can inspire others to do the same.’