Best Endeavours brings OCN Learner of the Year Award for AMH New Horizon’s Shauna Christie!

The Open College Network (OCN), a professional and technical awarding body, announced the shortlist for its fifth Learning Endeavour Awards, at Titanic Belfast on Monday 26 June 2023. Shortlisting for these prestigious awards was drawn from eight categories with nominees from organisations throughout Northern Ireland.

Delighted to pick up the highest accolade as Learner of the Year at the annual Endeavour Awards event, Shauna Christie a client with AMH New Horizons, Lisburn, is a shining example of how the charity transforms lives through education. Shauna also received a second award for her nominated category, Health & Well-being Learner of the Year.

Celebrating her double success, Shauna chose the part-time mixed media qualification, which led to learning new skills such as lino printing, embracing her artistic side and making many new acquaintances. Shauna explains,

“Donna and Carol Anne from AMH New Horizons encouraged me to become involved with the 12-week OCN course at AMH New Horizons, Lisburn. They both gave me real support and guidance throughout. I’m so glad I decided to take part in the course as I feel it has not only given me additional skills, such as time-management and improved my written communication abilities but has opened the door to future learning. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Aisling Doherty, Peripatetic Service Manager with New Horizons, Lisburn said,

“We are so incredibly proud of Shauna‘s great achievement. She is delighted and her family are delighted for her too. Shauna will return to the awards next year to deliver a speech and congratulate the new winner. Adding, AMH New Horizons supports the recovery of adults living with mental ill health and provides a comprehensive personal development-training programme, vocational skills and employability. Shauna’s award is great news for New Horizons and the work we do.”

Martin Flynn, Chief Executive of OCN NI said,

 “The shortlisted learners and organisations reflect the best of Northern Ireland and are shining examples of what hard work and determination can achieve. We were delighted to reward the winners at our in person event.”

The awards ceremony featured special guest, Belfast Giants Head Coach, Adam Keefe, alongside members of Belfast Giants coaching and management team. The guests fielded an on-stage question and answer session, providing insight and highlighting similarities or lessons on how the on-ice high-performing hockey team’s Challenge Cup treble win, may also translate into life and learning for those pursuing their own personal goals.

Adam Keefe, Belfast Giants Head Coach, said: “It was a great honour to be asked to attend the OCN Learning Endeavour Awards and hearing first hand from some pretty inspiring people who succeeded in their categories. There is no substitution for working hard so I clapped loudly for everyone who was honoured at the OCN NI Learning Endeavour Awards.”

Further information on your nearest New Horizons centre https://www.amh.org.uk/services/amh-new-horizons/

For more information on the OCN Learner Endeavour Awardshttps://ocnni.org.uk/learner-awards/learner-awards-2023

Caption – The highly commended winners and guests at the Open College Network (OCN) Learning Endeavour Awards 2023.