My Story: Fiona Jones

For Fiona Jones, learning is about more than gaining qualifications. It is about building confidence, developing independence and proving to herself that she can achieve things she once found challenging.

Fiona has always had a real thirst for learning and enjoys discovering new skills. For her, learning brings a great sense of achievement, and few things make her prouder than receiving a certificate recognising everything she has worked towards.

Wanting to continue building her life skills, Fiona began researching opportunities online for people with SEND and discovered ASDAN, an organisation offering flexible, accredited programmes designed to support personal development, independence and employability skills. After reading more about the courses available, Fiona spoke with her Service Manager Michelle to explore how the programmes could work and understand the benefits they might bring.

When asked why she chose to undertake the courses, Fiona explained:

“I wanted to challenge myself by trying new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I also wanted to improve my independent living skills both in my shared accommodation and when I am out in my local community. Another reason I decided to do the course was because it gave me the opportunity to take part in learning that was suitable for people with a learning disability and allowed me to continue developing important life skills.”

While ASDAN courses are often delivered through education settings and day centres, Fiona wanted to complete the programme as an individual learner. To support this, Michelle became Fiona’s mentor and assessor, helping her work through the courses in a way that suited her best.

Fiona enjoys structure and organisation and prefers learning through workbooks and written activities. Having materials she can read through and return to keeps her focused and helps her track her progress along the way.

Since starting the programme, Fiona has completed courses in Meal Preparation and Cooking and Public Transport, while currently continuing her work around Recognising Signs and Everyday Living.

The Meal Preparation and Cooking course, which Fiona began in May 2025, helped her learn more about food safety, kitchen awareness and storing food correctly. Through the course, she developed a better understanding of different foods and built confidence preparing and cooking meals independently. Fiona says she now feels much more confident in the kitchen and believes the course has helped improve her cooking skills.

The Public Transport course also had a huge impact. While Fiona had used public transport before, she often felt anxious and relied on support staff when travelling. Wanting to build her confidence and independence, she enrolled on the course to help her feel more comfortable planning journeys on her own.

As part of the programme, Fiona learned how to:

• Research different travel options available to her
• Compare travel costs
• Understand travel insurance
• Check weather forecasts and plan journeys safely
• Organise and plan trips independently

Putting these skills into practice, Fiona organised a day out to the cinema with her flatmate. She researched film times online, checked bus timetables and even booked a café for food afterwards.

Now, Fiona is taking another exciting step and planning a bus journey to visit her parents independently. In the past, visits relied on staff support or family collecting her, but Fiona is determined to continue building confidence and overcome anxiety around trying new things.

Reflecting on what she enjoyed most about the courses, Fiona said:

“One of the things I enjoyed most was improving my independent living skills. I also loved having opportunities to visit and explore new places in different towns and use my communication skills in real-life situations. I particularly enjoyed researching recipes and developing my cooking skills. As a result of completing the ASDAN qualification, I can now independently boil the kettle for my pasta and confidently stir ingredients in hot pans.”

“Another favourite part of the course was developing my travel training skills. This is an important step towards being able to travel independently by bus to visit my parents without support. Most of all, I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing I have worked hard and that my efforts will be recognised through the certificates I achieve.”

The impact of Fiona’s learning journey has extended far beyond completing workbooks and receiving certificates. Working through the courses has helped build her confidence, encouraged greater independence and even contributed towards reducing the level of support she now needs.

Speaking about the difference the courses have made, Fiona explained:

“The biggest impact of completing the ASDAN qualifications has been the increase in my independence. The courses have given me the opportunity to learn new skills while also helping me strengthen and expand skills I already had. I feel much more confident in my abilities and better equipped to do more things independently.”

Fiona’s determination and commitment have not gone unnoticed either. Her support worker, Ashleigh, is planning to nominate her for an ASDAN Community Champion Award, recognising her dedication to learning and the progress she continues to make every day.

For Fiona, these courses represent much more than qualifications. They represent confidence, independence and the courage to step outside her comfort zone in pursuit of new opportunities.

At Real Life Options, that is exactly what we are here to do: supporting people to build confidence, develop new skills and ensure everyone has the opportunity and right to live the life they choose.

We cannot wait to see what Fiona takes on next.