The death of the father of her son after a battle against Motor Neurone Diseases and a period of being homeless with her young son Nathaniel were the true low points of Cheryl’s life.

However, the tide has now dramatically turned. Cheryl got married recently while additional stability in her life has been provided by the recent completion of a Level 1 Preparing to Work in Schools course.

Cheryl’s life appeared to be progressing well when her son was born in 2012. However, tragedy was just around the corner with her partner diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease three months later.

After a battle with the illness, Cheryl’s son’s father passed away in 2015.

Cheryl eventually met a new partner and moved from Bradford to Huddersfield to live with him. That relationship ultimately broke down and, despite an amicable split initially, her and her son were made homeless.

That left them living in temporary accommodation at the Edgerton and Cambridge Hostels in Huddersfield and desperately seeking to provide stability.

Throughout the entire period, Cheryl was continuing her career as a hairdresser but striving for a fresh start in both her personal and professional life.

The last 12 months have provided both. Through Fusion Housing, Cheryl secured a permanent home while she met Stanislav, who has now become her husband.

She also encountered Realise, one of the UK’s leading training providers, who worked with Cheryl to provide a suitable route to forge a new career.

That came in the form of a six-week Preparing to Work in Schools, Level 1 course.

Displaying great determination to balance looking after her son, continuing her hairdressing commitments and embarking on studies, Cheryl battled through testing times to gain her qualification in April 2024.

Cheryl continues to go from strength to strength. On Thursday, 10^th October 2024, at the Kirklees Adult Learners Awards, Cheryl was was crowned the winner of the Overcoming Barriers category.

Congratulations, Cheryl. You are an inspiration to us all.