Viktoriia's Inspiring Journey at Hugh Baird College

VIKTORIIA Trikon, a dedicated Level 3 Hairdressing student at Hugh Baird College, began her journey at the College in 2022 after leaving Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. Originally enrolled as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) student, Viktoriia connected with the:- 'Ukraine Welcome Centre' in Crosby upon her arrival in the UK, where she met Tania, a tutor from Hugh Baird College.

Determined to improve her English for better communication and to make friends, Viktoriia visited Hugh Baird College, where the supportive ESOL team guided her to enrol on the ESOL Level 1 course.

She successfully completed both her Level 1 studies and the ESOL for Hairdressing course at Hugh Baird College, which allowed her to advance her language and reading skills while pursuing her passion for hairdressing. Now, as a Level 3 Hairdressing student, Viktoriia continues to showcase her dedication to her professional develo pment in the hairdressing sector.

Reflecting on her experience, Viktoriia said:- "My tutor, Tania, believed in me from the very beginning. She pushed me to reach my goals, and during times when I felt like giving up, she was there to support me. I'm incredibly grateful to Hugh Baird College for welcoming me so warmly; they truly feel like my second family."

As she looks to the future, Viktoriia is focused on completing her Level 3 Hairdressing qualification and continuing her work placement at a local salon. She is excited about meeting new people and further improving her English skills.

Viktoriia continued:- "I would highly recommend studying at Hugh Baird College to anyone struggling with their English. This course has boosted my confidence and opened so many doors for me."

Those wishing to find out more about Hugh Baird College's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses can do so via:- HughBaird.AC.UK.

Nominations open in the 2025 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards

 

ARTISTS and creatives, innovators and scientists, volunteers and community groups are set to battle it out as the nominations open in the 2025 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.

The annual awards celebrate the incredible individuals and organisations whose work contributes to the Region's thriving cultural and creative ecosystem year after year.

A glittering ceremony will take place in Wirral, this year's Borough of Culture, in March, but 1st, the Combined Authority is asking for nominations across 15 categories. They include:- the People's Choice Award, which is decided by the public, and awards recognising the use of culture and creativity in innovation, community cohesion and education.

Finalists are not chosen based on the number of nominations received by the judging panel for a particular project, group or individual, but rather the quality of the work described. 1 fantastic nomination is all it takes.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said:- "Over the years, I have come into contact with so many exciting projects across our City Region as part of the Culture and Creativity Awards. There's no limit to where culture and creativity can be used to support endeavours, whether that's in business, community engagement, sport or the arts. I encourage everyone to have a look through the categories and nominate people and projects from where they live in the City Region."

This is the sixth year of the awards, which return to Wirral, the 1st host of the event recognising the value and contribution the cultural and creative sectors bring to the Region.

They are made possible through the Mayor's Percent for Culture initiative which invests directly into cultural activities across the Liverpool City Region.

The awards' definition of creativity includes:- the use of technology, innovation, and science to develop and introduce new ideas, as well as innovative and transformational creative approaches.

Sir Phil Redmond said:- "As technology and AI in particular, continues to accelerate the pace of change, we need more than ever to stimulate and encourage creative minds, wherever they are. Liverpool City Region has always encouraged imaginative people with innovative approaches to life. These awards recognise and celebrate those critical thinkers. This is your chance to play a part:- by nominating people, groups or organisations who have made a difference, by thinking differently."

New judge for 2025, Maleka Egeonu-Roby, is 1 of the previous winners of the People's Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture. She said:- "What I love about the Culture and Creativity Awards in the Liverpool City Region is the diversity we see across the categories, as well as the scope of the nominations, from large traditional organisations to small community groups all making an impact across our area. We were 1 of those small groups working in the community when we won with World in 1 City in 2023; it has made such a difference to us, and I can't wait to read this year's entries!"

Any arts and cultural events, innovation and creative activity that took place within the Liverpool City Region during the period of:- 29 October 2023 to 25 October 2024 can be entered. Nominations are completed online and the closing date for entrants and nominations is:- 5 pm, on:- Friday, 25 October 2024.

An independent judging panel will consider all the nominations and choose category winners, while the public will be able to vote for the People's Choice award.

For more details and to make a nomination visit:- LCRCultureAwards.Co.UK.