Learning is a family affair.

NOMINATED for the Intergenerational and Family Learning Award at this year's Inspire! Adult Learner Awards ceremony, the Griffiths family from Mountain Ash began their learning journey when father David Griffiths returned to college as a mature student in September 2000.

He went with a simple desire to achieve his City and Guilds advanced diploma in IT applications (level 3), which he attained after two years of study..

When he returned to learning in 2006, however, it was for far more personal reasons.

Due to his deteriorating health, David underwent major surgery eight times over two years, but complications resulted in brain damage.

To help David with his recovery, the Griffiths family contacted Coleg Morgannwg to see what courses it could offer to halt the regression caused by the surgery..

While still receiving treatment, David began a basic literacy and numeracy course in his local action centre.

As he began to make visible progress with the subject, the rest of the family became inspired to look to their own learning needs, leading each of them to follow David's example and enrol on a course.

David, his wife Christine, and both their daughters now study full-time computer courses at the Aberdare campus of Coleg Morgannwg..