Hanna's Story — 11 Sep 2009

Hanna* is a 49 year old NHS patient.  She is hearing and visually impaired and has mental health issues. Hanna's literacy needs were identified through the Keep Well programme, which screens NHS patients for ALN needs and refers them onto appropriate provision.  Hanna was interested in accessing ALN support, but she was uncertain. With support from her tutor, Hanna identified her goals to be more independent, to understand medicine labels and to pay her bills.

Hanna was given a choice of ALN learning programmes and she opted for local provision rather than a project with visual impairment support. She was nervous to attend at first but was encouraged to bring a friend along for additional support. Hanna has been attending learning twice a week for 7 months now.  She said, ‘I'm glad I had the help to go to class. I wouldn't have done that by myself.'  Since attending Hanna's confidence and independence increased.  She now volunteers at Chest Heart and Stroke and travels independently to the health centre and into town.  She also started a course at Cardonald College and encouraged a friend to join the learning.

*name has been changed.