Adult Learners' Week runs from May 15 - 22 and is the perfect opportunity for adults throughout England to have a free taste of learning with something to suit everyone - whatever their age, ability or desire. Right across the county there's plenty of chances to try out a new experience for the first time, and perhaps open doors to a new way of life. If you had a bad time at school it might have put you off learning for ever.  | | Fancy trying your hand at African drumming? |
But the message at adult education establishments these days is that returning to learning can be fun - as well as providing stepping stones to change your life for the better. Whether you fancy your trying your hand at garden design, African drumming, or salsa dancing or want to know more about cookery, confidence-building, Indian head massage or using the internet, there are loads of chances to have a go at new things. 
I never went to school. The school inspector was always banging on our door to make me go. Now I'm banging on the door to get in to college. I feel very passionate about it. | | Adult learner Julie Higgs |
Julie Higgs, from Cheltenham, has beaten both drug addiction and dyslexia and now hopes to do a degree in art. She is passionate about the possibilities that returning to learning offers. She says: "I never went to school. The school inspector was always banging on our door to make me go. "Now I'm banging on the door to get in to college. I feel very passionate about it." | 
Want to find a new passion in life? Then don't be afraid to go for it - that's the message in Gloucestershire where there are opportunities galore to return to learning.
