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Enter: Against All Odds

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Do you know someone who deserves to win the Against All Odds award?

This award recognises a learner or apprentice who has overcome difficult personal circumstances to achieve success. This may include overcoming personal challenges (including physical, emotional or financial), or caring for others whilst studying and still going on to achieve.

What should my nomination include?

You can write up to 1,000 words about why you’re nominating this learner for this award. You should consider including the following in your nomination: 

  • Has the learner faced difficult personal circumstances during their studies or had additional things they’ve had to juggle on top of their studies? 
  • Has the learner made significant progress since starting their qualification/apprenticeship, or achieved above and beyond, regardless of the hurdles they may have faced along the way? 
  • Has the learner gone above and beyond to make a difference – either for themselves, their peers, their employers, their place of study or their community? 

Remember to read the terms and conditions before submitting your nomination! 

Against All Odds

First, we need your details, so we can contact you if your nominee has been shortlisted:

Now, please tell us about your nominee:

(by completing this you’re confirming that the nominee has consented to give their email address so that we can contact them if they are shortlisted)

Before submitting your nomination, you should think about including any or all of the following: Has the learner faced difficult personal circumstances during their studies or had additional things they’ve had to juggle on top of their studies? Has the learner made significant progress since starting their qualification/apprenticeship, or achieved above and beyond, regardless of the hurdles they may have faced along the way? Has the learner gone above and beyond to make a difference – either for themselves, their peers, their employers, their place of study or their community?

If you have any queries regarding your nomination, please contact [email protected].

Need inspiration?

Our Against All Odds 2023 winner: Gabriella Fox

Last year’s winner was Gabriella Fox, an inspiring individual who is learning remotely through Technology Triumphs. Born with the rare syndrome VACTERL, which affects various parts of the body, Gabriella has had over 35 operations over the last 17 years. However, Gabriella wouldn’t let this stop her from getting an education, particularly in creative and practical subjects. In January 2022, she began her NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Creative Craft (Cookery) and went on to complete this.

Read Gabriella's story

Our Against All Odds 2022 winner: Oliver Poulter

Oliver’s optimistic attitude to learning has a positive influence on everyone around him and despite being born with a degenerative eye condition, he’s a keen performer and gives 100% in every lesson. Never fazed by any trips or falls, Oliver always picks himself back up and isn’t discouraged to try something again. Watch the moment he found out he had won the Against All Odds award or read his story. 

Read Oliver’s story

I’ve seen Gabriella at her lowest, but I’ve also seen her overcome that and achieve amazing things. For her to have won this award just makes me incredibly proud of her!

Louise Fox, mum of Gabriella Fox - our 2023 Against All Odds recipient