Inspiring author’s journey with The Manchester College features on The One Show

Successful writer Karen Woods appeared on The One Show to share her inspiring journey from adult literacy student at The Manchester College to published author.

Whilst filming at the College’s Openshaw campus, Karen was reunited with her former tutor, Christine Ansell, who returned the original manuscript of Karen’s first published work.

Karen worked as a cleaner for Manchester City Council before returning to the College to study an adult literacy course with only limited reading and writing skills. Since then she has had over 20 novels published and become internationally popular.

The prime time TV programme featured interviews with important figures from Karen’s life that inspired and supported her throughout her journey to becoming a successful writer. Karen also spoke about the profound influence that her tutor had by encouraging her to seek publication of her first manuscript.

Karen said:

When I came here to The Manchester College it was my first time in a classroom in over 20 years but my teacher, Christine Ansell, gave me the confidence from day one.

She told Christine: “I struggled Chris, when I was in that class, but the way you listened to how I needed to be taught helped me find me again, you gave me more confidence.”

Speaking about her time teaching Karen at the College, Christine said: “I thought that you had lots of potential. I was impressed from the minute that I met you.

“To come up with a book after you’ve just achieved Level 2 literacy, I just get speechless about it all the time.”

Find out more about our wide range of ESOL, English and Maths courses at The Manchester College.