Christina McAvoy, Third Sector Learner of the Year at the OCN 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards
Christina McAvoy from Sally Gardens (Poleglass Community Association) won Third Sector Learner of the Year at the OCN 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards. Christina received this award in recognition of her remarkable commitment to personal development, learning and recovery.
Christina’s journey is a powerful example of how community learning can transform lives. Through determination, resilience and a desire to grow, Christina embraced educational opportunities that have strengthened her confidence, improved her skills and helped shape a positive future.
As a dedicated learner, Christina has been attending Sally Gardens for almost two years and has successfully completed OCN qualifications in Introduction to Counselling Skills and Self-Directed Change and the Level 2 Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Throughout her learning, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to improvement, consistently engaging with new challenges and applying her knowledge to her personal and professional development.
For Christina, learning and recovery have gone hand in hand. She describes the two journeys as deeply interconnected, with each reinforcing and strengthening the other. The structure, purpose and sense of achievement gained through education have supported her recovery journey, while her recovery has provided the clarity, determination and confidence needed to pursue new learning opportunities.
Christina is motivated to use her experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Her story is an inspiring reminder of the life-changing impact of lifelong learning and the vital role that community organisations play in supporting individuals to realise their potential.
Congratulations to Christina on this well-deserved achievement, and to the dedicated team at Sally Gardens for their continued support in empowering learners to succeed.
Watch Christina's Interview
