Hair and Beauty – Joanne Redfearne

Joanne had worked in retail for many years, but when the pandemic struck and affected her working hours she had to rethink her career options. She joined the Level 2 Beauty course last year and hasn’t looked back ever since.

Here, she explains how she’s turned a challenging situation into a positive opportunity.

“During the lockdown my hours were drastically cut, so as a single parent I had to look at my options. I started the Level 2 Beauty Therapy course at Rotherham College as I had always been interested in beauty, but I had never got round to training as a Beauty Therapist; I’m 35-years-old and I thought ‘it’s now or never’.

“Going back into a learning environment has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. The online classes have been a bit challenging but the tutors have been brilliant; they’re really supportive and you can always go to them if you have any problems.

“I’ve loved learning about the beauty industry and gaining the skills in a range of treatments. I’m thinking about studying Level 3 Beauty, and ultimately, my hopes for the future are to work in a salon.

“It’s been brilliant working with other people, I’ve made some really great friends at College and I’m really happy with the course.”

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Rotherham College recognises that adult education is a powerful tool for personal growth, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Across the region and UK, adults are gaining the skills to progress in their careers, build confidence, and connect with others. The impact reaches far beyond the classroom as employers’ benefit from a more adaptable workforce, communities grow stronger, and society becomes more inclusive.

With the right support, course and training, adults through adult learning can address multiple challenges at once-from closing skills gaps and tackling social isolation to reducing inequality and strengthening communities.

Rotherham College – working to transform lives, empower communities, and drive sustainable growth.