Viva Vox 103.2

This is why I love National Learning Network and Rehab Group

“Life was okay before I got to National Learning Network. I got bullied and I had difficulties with my self-esteem and my confidence. It was hard to cope with. In National Learning Network, they help me with my confidence and self-esteem, but I still have some work to do on it. The instructors in NLN are very supportive, as well as my family and my boyfriend.
I did the Leaving Cert, and then I chose to go to National Learning Network because my parents said they were very nice people in NLN and to give it a try. I am doing the Access course with Emma.
I just love my mates that I have made in the class. And I love the different modules that we're doing, they help with my communication and maths. They help us to do presentations and learn how to speak in front of people so that you don't get really nervous when you're speaking out in life. I used to get very nervous speaking in front of people before, when I was getting bullied, but I've got loads of friends here now in National Learning Network. There are people of all different ages who attend and we can have lunch together in the canteen. They say they don't want me to leave because I light up the centre when I come in.
With different modules like health and fitness we have options such as playing soccer and going for walks, it's just good to get out. It helps that I have confidence to be able to talk when I'm out and about. It's good to be able to do things and not be worried about what other people think.
I'm in the Special Olympics, I'm doing bowling. I started years and years ago, and I never stopped. In 2018, I became an All-Ireland Champion. We went to Dublin, and I took part in bowling and I got a couple of medals. When I got off the bus, I saw my mother, then I just started crying because I was emotional. She started crying, that's how I started crying. Doing that really helped with my self-esteem, because it felt like I was actually fit to do something.
If I had to say something to me as a teenager, I would say, 'You should do NLN because you're well fit to do it, and you are able to do these things'. I would love to be a beautician when I'm older. My instructor Emma is going to help me with work experience before I finish the programme. My family and NLN are very supportive with work experience. They say to me, 'do what you're able to do'. They always put my self-esteem up."
Andrea is a talented athlete and student from National Learning Network Monaghan. This is her fantastic story about how she found a new group of friends, raised her self-esteem and is looking forward to her future career. Thanks for sharing your story, Andrea.