My Journey with Adult Community Learning

Trying something new—whether it’s learning a language, meeting new people or starting a new job—can feel intimidating. With the right support and resources, however, those first steps become much easier. Adult Community Learning (ACL) offers free, local courses for residents aged 19+, designed to build skills, boost confidence and open doors to employment.

Ziniada Bondarenko, a healthcare worker in Islington, shared her experience taking courses at ACL and finding employment.

Discovering ACL

In 2023, Ziniada and her 11-year-old daughter immigrated to the United Kingdom from Ukraine. Ziniada hoped to find work as a carer, but wanted to improve her English and build healthcare skills first.

She found ACL online and enrolled in two courses: English and Healthcare Awareness Level 1.

Taking Courses

For nearly a year, Ziniada took a conversational English course twice a week at Cat and Mouse Library. With easy-going discussions, conversations and activities, Ziniada found the course extremely welcoming and engaging. 

There were around 12 people in her course, all from different places and backgrounds. Ziniada shared, “The people there were the same as me from different countries, so we were all in the same situation together.”

Throughout the course, Ziniada grew English-speaking skills and confidence. She said, “I was a bit afraid to talk, to speak to people, but on this course, I started to do it.”

At the same time, Ziniada took Healthcare Awareness Level 1 once a week. Similar to her English class, Ziniada found the course supportive and informative. She shared that her tutor, Colin, not only taught her valuable information and skills, but helped her navigate further steps after the course ended.

"He gave me motivation,” she said. “What to do next, how to go forward.”

After taking the level 1 healthcare course at ACL, Ziniada took a level 2 course at Capital City College.

Finding Employment

Today, Ziniada uses the knowledge she gained from the ACL courses as a professional carer. She adores her clients and her job. “I love it, I love it very much,” she said. “It was the job that made me happy here.”

To hear more about Ziniada’s story, watch the video below!

If you’re interested in taking English, maths, foundations for work or other courses to learn a new skill or find employment opportunities, learn more at Islington Adult Community Learning.

If you need help finding the right course for you, get in touch with Age UK Islington. Contact gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk or call 020 7281 6018.