Angela, a lone parent-of-two, won the Individual Workforce Skills Award at the European Social Fund ceremony in Manchester for her commitment to increasing her skills and making a significant contribution to her employer's business.

Angela, 46, who lives in Blacon, was nominated for the award by her tutors at West Cheshire College who were impressed by her determination to overcome serious challenges in her personal life to build a better future for herself and her children.

Just 18 months ago Angela was divorced, depressed, had no formal qualifications and was facing a bleak future until, with the help of the Job Centre and the Blacon lone parent adviser, she enrolled on a 10-week Introduction to Health and Social Care course. In less than three months she'd discovered her love of learning and found a way to return to education and work.

The course allowed Angela to learn as she was working and she now has a permanent job she loves as a care assistant at Lauren Court Nursing Home in Blacon and is also taking an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care.

She said: "The course has completely changed my life and I'm very happy with what I've achieved – and that could go even further with the qualification I'm currently working towards.

"I'm thrilled to have won this award and am grateful to the college not only nominating me but for motivating and inspiring me in training."

The college's commercial adviser for the Care Sector, Beverley Aiston, said: "Angela is highly motivated. She's truly inspirational and a shining example of what you can achieve through returning to education – whatever your age or circumstances.

"Coming to the college has helped to give her a new outlook on life and her success at the award is much deserved."

The Introduction to Health and Social Care course is funded through the European Social Fund (ESF) which aims to improve employment opportunities and raise standards of living through helping people to achieve more skills and better job prospects.

It has been such a successful course that the college is hoping to run it again in October and anyone interested should contact Beverley Aiston on 01244 670675.