PVT Learner of the Year

Laura Jones shows that no matter what barriers or problems you face, you can over come them and be somebody great. Laura had a tragic start to her teenage life when her step father sadly passed away, then a year later her mother also passed away after giving birth to Laura’s sister, meaning that her sister was taken into care. Not having contact with her natural father Laura was also put into foster care. Laura then got bullied at school and therefore didn’t finish secondary education. However you would never know these tragic events had gone on in Laura’s life, since joining Rathbone in July 2009 Laura has made a tremendous impact on the centre. Not only has Laura greatly progressed though her learning, completing various qualifications, a work placement at a nursery and is now studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care; Laura is always so very friendly, funny and warming to the staff and the other young people.

The Centre Manager of Rathbone in Carmarthen, Adele Gabriel, feels Laura is an inspiration to young people, as no matter what life throws at her she will fight to be the best person she can. Adele even asks Laura to help to make new learners feel welcome when they join the centre.

Although Laura has her sad days she keeps on trying. Laura said “Since being at Rathbone Cymru I have gained more confidence, the staff are great and if I have problems I can talk to them. Rathbone’s so much fun, everybody is always happy to see you, unlike school, I know I would never get bullied here, everybody has too much respect for each other, its great!”

Mae Laura Jones yn dangos, waeth pa bynnag rwystrau neu broblemau y byddwch yn eu wynebu, fe allwch eu goresgyn a bod yn berson o bwys. Cafodd Laura ddechrau hynod o drist i’w glasoed pan fu farw ei llystad yna, flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, bu farw ei mam hefyd ar ôl geni chwaer Laura, a olygodd i’w chwaer gael ei chymryd i ofal y wladwriaeth. Gan nad oedd unrhyw gysylltiad rhyngddi â’i thad naturiol, rhoddwyd Laura hefyd mewn gofal maeth. Yna cafodd Laura ei bwlio yn yr ysgol ac o ganlyniad i hyn ni orffenodd ei haddysg uwchradd. Ond fyddech chi ddim callach i’r digwyddiadau trist hyn ddigwydd i Laura, gan iddi, ers ymuno â Rathbone ym mis Gorffennaf 2009 gael effaith sylweddol ar y ganolfan. Llwyddodd Laura nid yn unig i sicrhau cynnydd sylweddol trwy ei dysg, gan gwblhau amrywiol gymwysterau, lleoliad gwaith mewn meithrinfa ond mae bellach yn astudio ar gyfer BTEC mewn Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol; mae Laura bob amser mor gyfeillgar, doniol ac annwyl tuag at y staff a’r bobl ifainc eraill. Teimla Rheolwraig Canolfan Rathbone yng Nghaerfyrddin, Adele Gabriel, bod Laura yn ysbrydoliaeth i bobl ifainc gan y bydd, waeth beth gaiff ei daflu tuag ati, yn ymladd i fod y person gorau posibl. Bydd Adele hyd yn oed yn gofyn i Laura i’w helpu i groesawu dysgwyr newydd pan fyddant yn ymuno â’r ganolfan. Er bod Laura yn cael ambell i ddiwrnod trist bydd wastad yn dal i ymdrechu ymlaen. Meddai Laura “Ers ymuno â Rathbone Cymru rwyf wedi ennill rhagor o hyder, mae’r staff yn wych ac os oes gen i broblem rwy’n gallu siarad â nhw. Mae Rathbone yn gymaint o hwyl, mae pawb wastad yn hapus i’ch gweld, yn wahanol i’r ysgol, rwy’n gwybod na fyddwn i fyth yn cael fy mwlio yma, mae pawb yn parchu ei gilydd gymaint, mae’n grêt!”