A woman, aged 50, learned new plumbing skills at college for free and is urging others to do the same.
Sophie Hoskins, from Barrowby, has gained a range of new plumbing skills after taking a free level one course at Grantham College.
She will use her new-found abilities to not only sort out leaks in her own home, but to help family and friends with theirs.
Sophie Hoskins using her new plumbing skills.
“Two weeks ago I was, like many other adults, terrified of trying to fix anything to do with water in my own home,” said Sophie.
“Now, after doing a free course in Level 1 Plumbing at Grantham College, I can plumb in an entire bathroom – radiators, toilets, sinks and all.
“I can put up and fix guttering, make and manipulate proper watertight pipes – copper, plastic and steel.”
Sophie’s partner, Alan, handing her the drill so she can turn off the isolation valve to work on the tap.
Sophie explained that she spent 10 days in the workshop with Mike Ashby, “the most brilliant teacher”, and three other novices.
After completing the course, Sophie has rebalanced the central heating system in her home, meaning the boiler is working more efficiently.
She plans to do the same at Blue Cat Music School in town, which she runs with her partner Alan, when it opens again in September, which will help with the energy bills.
Sophie also face-timed her elderly aunt recently when she had a problem with her hot water.
“[My aunt] needed a better qualified plumber than me for that as her boiler needed servicing, but I could talk her through the issue and then speak to the plumber so we could get it sorted really quickly for her,” explained Sophie.
“I can’t tell you how good it feels just to know what is going on in those water pipes, and to know that most problems are actually really easy to deal with if you just know how to stop the water getting out – which I do now.
“I’m lucky that I have the time to sign up to an intensive course like the one I did, but the college does evening classes, and I am definitely looking at doing something else too.”
Sophie said she wishes she had done the course “years ago” and had no idea that she could “learn so much in a few weeks”.
She has a real passion for manipulating copper pipes too, saying that it is “fun and incredibly satisfying” to do.
Sophie’s rig of copper pipes.
Sophie added: “I would urge any adults with a bit of time to look at what is available at Grantham College – the courses are absolutely amazing and the teaching I had was fantastic. And the whole thing was free.
“Grantham College is brilliant, and people should really take advantage of it.”
More information is available on the Grantham College website.
Chelsea Toulson, marketing officer at Grantham College, said: “Our courses are for everyone aged 19+ and the great thing is, you don’t need any prior skills or qualifications to sign up.
“We offer a great range of courses for adults, from professional and technical training to leisure and community courses, distance-learning options from the comfort of your own home, and courses for unemployed to get back into work.
“All taught in our outstanding facilities by expert tutors.
“You can learn something new, develop your skills and advance your career prospects, explore hobbies and new interests while making new friends, and we can help you learn techniques to better manage your life, or mental and physical health.”
www.granthamjournal.co.uk
https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/woman-50-gains-new-plumbing-skills-to-help-friends-and-fam-9325252/
