When I was at school I hated it! I just found school boring. I was just not interested. I just couldn't wait to leave! I did stay at school to finish my GCSEs but had quite poor results. They were either poor or I failed them! At the age of sixteen, when I le school, I joined the Army. From the first day of joining I felt like I belonged. It was my passion! To top it all off, I didn't need any qualificaons to join. I just needed to be fit. I loved it when I was in the Army, loved the fitness, the chance to explore, that you always have someone looking out for you and the chance to defend my country.


I joined the army in 2005. Aer three tours of Iraq, I started my tours of Afghanistan. On my sixth tour of Afghanistan (2009), I was captured as a prisoner of war. I was captured for fiy eight days before we escaped. Aer this, I was taken off acve duty because I was suffering with post traumac stress disorder. I was sll in the Army though as a Recruitment Officer in Bristol. As a Recruitment Officer, it was my job to go around to year assemblies to inspire the young adults to join the Army when they finish school. Aer doing this for three years, I received an honourable discharge from the Army.


In 2013 I ended up stealing petrol as I couldn't afford to keep taking my disabled son to hospital, which was a two hundred mile round trip every day. As a consequence, I ended up coming to prison!!! Aer being in prison for six months, I decided that when I was released from prison, I wanted to go to college to study Auto Electrics. As educaon was free while I was in prison and I had me on my hands, I decided to take level 2 in Maths and English, as well as lots of level 2 courses in other subjects, so I could start on level 2 in Auto Electrics instead of starng on level 1. When I started doing Educaon again I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed it.


When I decided to start Educaon again, I found I had to overcome some things. I was at a lower level than what I thought I was and what I needed. I had to study harder than everyone in my class. I had to learn more than everyone but I only had the same me as everyone else. I needed to be highly movated! I did have some blocks to overcome as well, like dyslexia. I found it hard to read anything that wasn't on a blue background. It was hard to complete work on me. I really had to work hard! The way I overcame my blocks was PURE DETERMINATION. I was determined to pass level 2 Maths and English, so I got my head down and studied.


I'm now an English Peer Mentor. I help students who are in a similar situaon as I was in with their English studies. I help them to learn and be ready for their exams. It's a trusted posion as I help the teacher with administraon forms and I also do important administraon work. I honestly believe educaon has changed my life. It has given me things to work towards and new goals in life. When I'm released from prison it's going to give me the chance to start on level 2 Auto Electrics instead Of level 1. It has also given me the confidence to help my children with their home-­‐ work, instead of looking for an excuse not to!


All I can say to anyone who feels lost or who are not sure what to do with their lives, is to think about educaon. It can open doors, give you confidence, and you're never too old to learn. It also might save your life like it did mine. I am now 26 years old. I used to hate educaon but now I very much enjoy it. Aer my me in the Army, I thought my life was over. To be honest, with the help of educaon, I now realise my life is just starng over!


Stewart Bell, Perth and Kinross Council


I looked 'dyslexic' up in my Chambers Adult Learners’ Diconary (not an easy word for me to find – it’s hard when “y” replaces the vowel “i”!) and this is what it says, “A dyslexic person has difficulty in learning to recognise and form wrien words correctly.” Well that sounds like me and indeed it is me


I am very lucky and proud to be a member of the Letham Thursday night adult literacy group which is a free class run by Perth and Kinross Council. Thursday night is one of the highlights of my week now. There are no tests or exams – it’s all about the learners' needs and wishes. And so it’s not like school or college in any way. One paid member of staff directs the group with the help of trained volunteers.


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