Lifelong learning has transformed life for Southport MP Patrick Hurley, as the politician encouraged others to never give up on gaining an education.
Mr Hurley spoke at the launch of the Southport Learning Town initiative, which aims to secure UNESCO Learning City Status for Southport within the next two years.
He said: “Lifelong learning is a passion of mine. Going back almost 20 years now I enrolled with the Open University and it was transformational for me, who had failed a few A-Levels when I was a kid.
“I think the phrase goes ‘I had left by mutual agreement’.
“At the age of 30 I enrolled at the Open University and five years later I had an Undergraduate Degree to my name and a Masters Degree to my name and I never looked back.
“I think that it is obvious the change that had to my life and the change it had for the cohort that I was learning with as well.
“It is not just for career opportunities that opened up for me, it is also what learning does intrinsically for people.
“I think the Southport Learning Town initiative exemplifies that learning is important.
“When I first came across the Southport University Extension Society a year ago, I had been elected a couple of days, and I had an email waiting for me in the inbox saying ‘would you like to know a bit more about the society’?
“I was so bowled over by it, so taken with it, I became a member there and then.
“I have offered my support in whatever way the society can make use of me. One of the ways was to have me as a speaker at the Southport Learning Town launch night.”
Southport Learning Town held a launch event at West Lancs Yacht Club in Southport which was supported by local education providers, local businesses and community figures.
Southport Learning Town is now looking at properties on Lord Street as it looks to open a hub where people of all ages can access information; hear more about the campaign and how they can help; and discover where they can be signposted to learning opportunities.
Life-long learning would be established as a community rationale and would send a signal that whatever age you are in the town, whatever your background or circumstances, you can start to learn, continue to learn and be supported to learn.
- For more details visit: Southport Learning town – Southport Learning town
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
