A YOUNG mum who survived a suicide attempt, depression and an eating disorder has won an award for transforming her life through learning.

Just two years ago, Chloe Young from Mold, was too afraid to leave her own home due to severe anxiety and depression and an eating disorder she’d battled since she was 17.

When she ended up in hospital after she attempted to take her own life, she thought there was no way out.

She said: “My life was a rollercoaster. At my lowest I would struggle to get out of bed to take my daughter to school. I had no confidence - there was nothing left of me to give.

“Life was so bad – I wanted to die. I didn’t see the use in talking about my mental health as I felt there was nothing that would take away my experiences.”

After leaving hospital, Chloe was referred to WeMindTheGap programme, a scheme which provides life coaching, work experience and access to employment, and it was life changing.

She started the WeMindTheGap training programme, spending the next six weeks on work placements, and now she has plans to attend university to study to become a nurse.

Chloe, 25 was awarded with the ‘Into Work’ Inspire! Award, a recognition of her success in changing her life through learning.

Co-ordinated by Learning and Work Institute with support from the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund, the Inspire! Awards reward those who have demonstrated the power of learning, building confidence and developing vibrant and successful communities.

Chloe is one of 12 winners who feature as part of Adult Learners’ Week, a week full of taster sessions and masterclasses aimed to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, which this year takes place online from 21-27 September.

She said: “Starting my traineeship was like a light was turned back on in my life. The opportunities I had in those six months were life changing.

“I wanted a better life for me and my daughter. I soon understood that I had to accept the past in order to move forward.

“I could feel my excitement bubbling to each new place I worked and each new skill I picked up, after walking into my first work placement being so shy.”

When Chloe graduated, she was asked to share her experiences with other inspirational women on her course, charity sponsors, placement managers friends and family.

“I was shaking, stuttering as I read my speech to a room full off 200 people. I was so emotional I burst into tears - I couldn’t believe I had the confidence to do it. I knew I would show the people who doubted me, and I have.

Her fourth placement was for the social services as a support worker for the elderly led to permanent work at a care home in Shotton.

“I absolutely love it and its been the making of me. My daughter has about 20 honorary grandmas and grandpas, they love hearing about her. It made me realise that I want to take care of people, my boss says I have potential to be a senior manager, but I want to go to university and study nursing. I went to see my nan last week and she said how healthy I’m looking. I’m eating better, I socialise, I have a job I love, a car and I’m waiting for a date to take my driving test.”

Adult Learners’ Week celebrates lifelong learning, whether in educational institutions, through work, at home or as a leisure activity and the week will be full of tasters and success stories on why learning a new skill can change your story.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “Chloe is a great example of how lifelong learning has turned her life around, both professionally and personally. Gaining qualifications at any age will not only help us build a workforce with the right skills needed for the new normal, but also inspire people to keep learning to explore directions and keep their minds and bodies healthy too.”

David Hagendyk, Director for Wales at Learning and Work Institute said: “'There has never been a better or more important time to start learning and our Inspire! Award winners show just what is possible. Whether it is gaining skills to help you find a new job, improving your health, or learning something you have always been passionate about, now is the time to pick up the phone or go online to get the support you need to start your journey.

“During lockdown thousands of adults across Wales started to change their story by learning something new. We hope the incredible stories of all our award winners will inspire thousands more to take that first step back into adult education.”

To find out what’s going on during Adult Learners’ Week and for personalised advice on your own learning options and support available, get in touch with Working Wales on 0800 028 4844, visit your local Careers centre, or search www.workingwales.gov.wales