These three women were taking part in a Functional Skills Level 2 maths course at one of Tower Hamlets’ Idea Stores—a community learning space that blends the traditional role of a library with a wide range of educational opportunities. Level 2 is a crucial stepping stone: it’s the equivalent of a GCSE grade C and often a minimum requirement for further study or entry into many professions.
Their tutor, Kasia, had recently completed Numeracy Champion training as part of the Every Londoner Counts programme—support that clearly made a big impact.
Aishah: “I thought, ‘I can’t do this’ – but I did!”
Aishah’s experience reflects the reality for many adults who didn’t get the chance to build strong foundations in maths earlier in life: “There will be a lot of young people who miss out on their education for various reasons. And in their 30s and 40s, they realise, ‘Oh my goodness, I need a job, and I don’t have maths!’”
Returning to learning in her 40s was daunting. “I would have found it overwhelming to go into a college full of young people. Even when I started working with Kasia, I was so scared because I was the oldest. I knew nothing about maths. To be honest, I’d forgotten everything!”
Aishah nearly walked away several times—but the support she received and the friendships she built kept her going. “Kasia was brilliant. I realised that it was a great opportunity. I’ve learned so much, it’s helped my anxiety, and I’ve met people along the way.”
Her message is clear: “It’s a great opportunity for people later in life to take on this challenge and grow.”
Caroline: “No matter your age or background, you can achieve your goal”
Caroline had always dreamed of a more fulfilling career—something that made a difference in people’s lives. That ambition led her to healthcare, where she now thrives as a healthcare assistant. But her journey there wasn’t easy. “I always struggled with maths at school. I found it a big challenge. I didn’t feel supported, I was pushed from class to class and never had time to properly digest the information.” College wasn’t much better: “I felt anxious, like I couldn’t speak up to say, ‘I don’t get this.”
After completing her Level 2 course, Caroline faced a literacy and numeracy test as part of a job interview—and panicked. “I opened the page and thought, ‘Oh my God!’ I didn’t even know where to start.” But she got through it and passed.
That breakthrough was a turning point. “It’s nice to know you can achieve. Even if it’s daunting and overwhelming, you have to go back to your reason: why you’re doing this and what you want for yourself. Then you’ll get there—no matter your age or background.”
Shajna: “Why not?! I might even go to uni—you never know!”
Shajna had been working in education for over 20 years. She got a D in her GCSE maths as a teenager, but at the time, it didn’t seem to matter. “I never thought to resit it. I went to college, did A levels, and got a job in education.”
Her work as a teaching assistant, especially with children with special educational needs, has always been valued. But recently, a colleague pointed out something frustrating: she was doing the same work as a speech and language therapist, but being paid less—simply because she didn’t have her maths GCSE grade C.
That realisation lit a fire. “I’m in my mid-40s, I’m a mother of four—do I really want to go back to college?” she asked herself. But the answer was yes. “They’re paying me so much less than what I could be getting. So I thought, why not?! I might even go to uni—you never know!”
Acknowledgements
These stories were recorded at the Tower Hamlets Idea Store as part of a collaboration with their Functional Skills team. Huge thanks to Kasia, the tutor whose encouragement and skill clearly made a lasting difference, and to Nikki Chatha, Assistant Programme Manager – Functional Skills English and Maths, Multiply and Outreach provision, whose support and coordination helped make these recordings possible.
