DadTalk

Dad and daughter inspire each other to learn

His daughter's journey back into education has inspired a former drink and drugs addict to go back to school.

His daughter's journey back into education has inspired a former drink and drugs addict to go back to school.

Father and daughter Jamie and Lizie Bird have overcome huge obstacles and inspired each other to gain qualifications at College.

Ms Bird, 20, left school at 16 with a GCSE in art and undiagnosed dyslexia, while her dad abandoned school at 13.

Now she is studying to be a social worker at Bath University, while her 46-year-old father, despite a 20-year battle with addictions, has begun the same Access to Higher Education course that transformed her life.

Ms Bird said: "When I left school I had no confidence and ended up in a call centre but didn't want that forever.

"College recognised my dyslexia and I was able to get the additional support I needed."

Watching her dad's battle with drink and drugs motivated Ms Bird to start training for a career as a social worker.

She said: "I didn't really know my dad until I was 16, when he came to live with me at my nan's, but watching what he went through and how he has changed inspired me."

Mr Bird said: "At 13 I truanted from school for two years and felt nobody could teach me.

"I worked in building and construction, involved in multi-million pound projects but alongside this success was a growing addiction to alcohol and drugs. In the last five years these took a complete hold but I was lucky and went to a treatment centre.

"I saw how much Lizie enjoyed college and once I'd sorted myself out decided to give it a go with her encouragement.

"It was an amazing feeling to get three merits back on my very first essay and distinctions and eventually I'd like to take a degree in counselling."

Read more about this story at thisisbristol.co.uk