Kenneth turns his life around to win award
A FORMER criminal has won a prestigious award after he caught the learning bug and turned his life around.
Kenneth McAlpine, from Ladywell in Livingston, has won the council's Tom Meek Award trophy for his commitment to learning.
The trophy is given by West Lothian Council's adult basic education (ABE) service, which helps people with reading, writing, spelling and maths.
The 39-year-old is an alcoholic and has been sober for six months after being referred to ABE from the Criminal Justice Department team, which works alongside the council.
He was caught growing cannabis and was put on probation for a year as he was using the drug to alleviate the effects of ME, which he suffers from.
But through the support of an ABE tutor he decided to accept a course to study, which then gave him the incentive to make positive changes to his life.
"I got the option of doing the course and things just spiralled from there," said Mr McAlpine.
"I think if I had the ABE tutors at school things could have been different. They really spend time with you to help you. It's an amazing feeling doing this and watching other people on the course achieve things."
Mr McAlpine is now working on creating a leaflet to encourage other people within the criminal justice system to follow suit, and is hopeful of finding a job when he has developed his skills.
Mr McAlpine was part of a group of county adults who were recognised at a special ceremony hosted by Friends of the Adult Basic Education (FABE) at Bathgate's Kaim Park Hotel.
Eight people were nominated for the Tom Meek Award for 'daeing the best I can dae', including those who had overcome barriers such as ill-health, drug and alcohol misuse, low confidence and self-esteem to improve their learning.
Current council chief executive Alex Linkston, who presented Mr McAlpine with the trophy said: "Congratulations to Kenneth on deservedly receiving the Tom Meek award."
The ABE service is available to anyone over the age of 16 who wants to take the first step back into education, build confidence or brush up on skills for work.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bathgate
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
