Cardiff and Vale College Essential Skills lecturer Martha Holman and Kim Eversham, quality manager at Dow Silicones in Barry, have won Inspire! Tutor and Mentor Awards for their dedication to helping adults return to education and overcome barriers to learning.
The Inspire! Tutor Awards, organised by Learning and Work Institute in partnership with the Welsh Government, invite nominations for individuals making an exceptional impact in educational settings across Wales, from schools to higher and further education, workplaces, and community settings.
Shaped by their individual experiences, this year’s award winners are making significant contributions to adult education in Wales, reaching communities and supporting more people to build their skills and break down barriers.
Martha was recognised for her dedication to equality and anti-racism. Her inspiring journey saw her overcome language barriers after arriving from Zimbabwe, retraining as a teacher and earning Distinctions in her PGCE and Master’s degrees.
She has developed an innovative anti-racism module and helps students progress from entry-level to higher qualifications. Martha also founded the ‘Love Zimbabwe’ charity and is active in her local community.
“It’s never too late to start or continue learning,” Martha said. “Through my personal life experiences, I can help my learners rediscover the joy and benefits of education.”
Partnering with CAVC, Kim launched the “Transitions to Work” programme at Dow Silicones UK, creating supported internships for learners with additional needs. The programme has successfully grown with more than 50 interns and a 60% employment rate, compared to a national comparator of 4.8%.
Kim’s leadership, mentoring, and mobilisation of more than 40 mentors has fostered an inclusive, ability-focused culture at Dow Silicones, leading to new roles and apprenticeships.
“Mentoring is about creating a psychologically safe environment and supporting learners to bring their whole selves to work, unveil their true potential, become the best versions of themselves and make their aspirations a reality,” Kim said.
Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James-Evans said:
“Congratulations to Kim and Martha! The work they do is so important, valuable and life-changing in so many different ways, making them both extremely deserving winner of these awards.”
