A North West Regional College (NWRC) student who spent time living on the streets in London as a child, has created a blanket for her end-of-year Art exhibition, reflecting the deep value she places on the comfort and security of having a home.
Mature student Karen McLaughlin who received a special award at NWRC’s Best in Further Education celebrations for overcoming adversity, said the blanket allowed her to express her feelings about her childhood.
“I never had a stable home,” she said. “It was a tough, tough time growing up. The blanket is about the time my mum and I had going through homelessness together on the streets of London.
“The blanket represents warmth and cosiness, all the things we didn’t have when we were on the streets. It represents home and rest and a time in my life when I didn’t have those things. It makes me think of my mum when I look at it, her name is stitched into it.”
With two children of her own, Karen’s says her focus on life is to ensure they have safety, a home and security.
And with her Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design now complete Karen says she is considering further study.
“I never had a chance at education when I was younger,” she said, “all I wanted was a few pencils. I struggled in school. I think I was written off as dopey. Being at NWRC has changed all – I have literacy difficulties and the college has helped with all that. I started with a portfolio building course which built my confidence
“I cannot believe that I have been given this award. I was the girl that always sat at school clapping while everyone else was up getting a prize, it’s so special to me.
The Best in FE Awards celebrate the achievements of Further Education graduates from the College’s campuses across Derry~Londonderry, Strabane and Limavady.
The event is always a highlight in the College calendar and involves the presentation of certificates and prizes to students from the four main curriculum departments across all College campuses.
During the event Caragh Duffy and Reece Clark received scholarships from the Irish Society.
Karen celebrates with her children.
Karen McLaughlin
