Adult education centre celebrates a year of successes - Student Mena says the centre ‘is like a second home’

24 Nov 2025

An educational centre in Haverhill is celebrating its first anniversary.

Since opening in November 2024, the learning centre run by Eastern Education Group has taught almost 450 people.

The facility is situated on the town’s high street and offers everything from computer courses to programmes in childcare, floristry and family learning.

The building recently underwent a £2millon boost from owners West Suffolk Council, and the idea behind the venture is to help local residents get the skills they need for their personal or professional development.

Currently, the oldest student is in their eighties – but the Haverhill centre manager, Elaine Simmons, is keen to get the message out that no matter what age, background or educational level that you are at you are, the centre is here to support you.

Elaine said: “It has been a rewarding first year in our new centre and we have seen students of all ages and backgrounds join us for leisure courses and to upskill and retrain. The team here at the Haverhill Learning Centre looks forward to welcoming even more people through our doors in this next year, whilst increasing and improving our programme to further meet the needs of the local community and working more closely with businesses to provide relevant and exciting training. Thanks so much to the council for their support and the community for backing us.”

Most recently, the centre was visited by members of West Suffolk Council including Leader Cllr Cliff Waterman. The council acquired the property to protect the jobs already delivered from the site and invested a further £2m into the building, enabling the college to move to a prominent location in the town centre. (Preciously the centre was situated on the outskirts of town). 

Cllr Waterman said: “It is fantastic and inspiring to see first hand the benefits that the centre is bringing to people. It is helping adults develop their skills and education as well as confidence and self-esteem.                         

“Some of that learning is to support people directly in training for work or developing their career, delivering on the council’s strategic priority for sustainable growth. A large part of it is also about learning for enjoyment or personal satisfaction - as well as meeting new people. It’s also bringing additional footfall to the town centre and the shops, cafes and other businesses there.

“The Learning Centre is doing brilliant work. It’s supporting the delivery of the council’s ambition for a thriving West Suffolk – and as some of the people we met clearly demonstrate, you’re never too old to learn.”

Mena Fernandes, 48, from Haverhill is studying English and maths. Mena said: “I didn’t have the chance to study when I was a young girl. Now I’m a grandma and I want to be able to help my grandson with his homework and I’d love to work in a school. This place is like a second home. I’m much more confident and it (the centre) has improved my life.”

Graham Hardy, 77, from Hundon is on a reading course having left school as a teenager and going straight into work. Graham said: “I’m pleased with my progress. My aim is to read a newspaper – that is the plan. I’m doing quite well and I’m hoping by January that I can do it. The staff are fantastic. If you want to learn – come here.”

Nick Hopkins, 80, from Hazel Stubb studied IT and an Italian taster course. Nick said: “The courses keep me going, you meet new people and I’ve enjoyed it. The staff are very helpful and friendly. I’d say to others (about the centre) that you feel less isolated and part of the community.”

Teresa Telling, 58, from Haverhill is on a floristry course. Teresa said: “I wanted to do something for myself and I’m loving it. The centre is friendly and approachable. I’d say to others come here and give it a go – you get to meet great people.”

Trudy Birch from Haverhill is a mindfulness and meditation tutor. Trudy said: “I think the centre is amazing. A lot of the courses are fully funded or affordable. The centre is helping people in so many ways - giving people direction and purpose.”

The Haverhill Personal and Professional Development Centre is hosting an open event is Tuesday 2 December 2025 between 5pm and 8pm.

It will be an opportunity to view the facilities and find out more about the upcoming classes and learning opportunities that will be happening in 2026.  

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