A huge congratulations to Cathrine Rutter who has been awarded Outstanding Adult Learner 2022/23 as part of the National Festival of Learning event hosted by Wirral Lifelong Learning.
This event was an opportunity for training providers to nominate ‘stand out learners’ who have completed qualifications funded by Wirral Lifelong Learning.
3D Training’s Adult education tutor Anita Marnell nominated Cathrine for the award. “Cathrine is a remarkable and inspirational individual, who deserves to be recognised for providing outstanding support to those dealing with addiction and mental health problems.”
Below is Cathrine’s Story:
10 years ago, Cathrine lost her son Paul to alcoholism. Paul had suffered for many years with addiction. He was in sobriety for 7 years after being put on a ventilator at the Royal Hospital in Liverpool for 15 weeks. They helped to save his life. Paul sadly began to drink again, and his liver was so damaged with cirrhosis this caused liver failure. In 2013 Paul lost his life. Cathrine says watching her son slowly kill himself was unbearable. As a grieving Mother she was so lost. Cathrine decided that she needed to educate herself about substance misuse. She started a support group which proved to be in demand. The group is called ‘Life is a gift,’ named after a tattoo Paul had on his neck while he was in sobriety.
At the beginning of 2023, Cathrine completed her Level 2 Suicide Awareness qualification with 3D Training. 5 days after completing the qualification, Cathrine was volunteering at Wirral Ways To Recovery. A young man who was being assessed, told Cathrine he had tried to end his own life earlier that day. Using the skills and knowledge she had learnt on the course; Cathrine was able to take the necessary steps in order to help him. Cathrine saved this man’s life. She welcomed him to come along to her support group that she was running at the service that afternoon. He thoroughly enjoyed it and from this was given the appropriate help and support. This included a keyworker at Wirral Ways and a place to stay at the YMCA.
Cathrine has volunteered with Wirral Ways To Recovery for over 8 years and is now running her ‘Life is a gift’ group at their Nightingales centre. She is also running a family group to support families dealing with addiction. Cathrine says, “Addiction affects both sides”.
Using her knowledge and experience, Cathrine now visits detox centres and schools to talk about addiction, helping to raise awareness and to tell Paul’s story. This is spreading an important message and also keeping his memory alive.
Cathrine has met and continues to work with so many inspirational people, who are now in sobriety and working again. They are now part of her life. She wants to continue to raise awareness of addiction and believes it’s so important to educate the next generation.
Cathrine said, “I have turned a negative into a positive. I will continue to learn and develop my knowledge. I find that this really helps in the work that I do.”
We are so proud and honoured to have had Cathrine on our courses! Her passion and ability to help others is truly inspiring. Congratulations and well done on all of your achievements!
Cathrine’s support group, Life is a Gift, meets every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm at the Moreton Community Centre CH46 7TS.