Adult learning newsletter spring 2016

Summer 2011 Issue 10 Spring 2016

Welcome Welcome to the latest edition of Adult Learning in Stirling.

A lot has been happening since our last

edition. In March, at a special event, we celebrated the achievements of adult

learners who had successfully completed ASDAN certificated programmes. We

were delighted to be joined at the event

by Provost Robbins who presented

“Adult Learning helped me turn my life around”

certificates to the award winners. Also in

March, the Have Your Say group treated us to their annual show, this time, an

afternoon of cabaret performances. It’s fantastic to see the growth in skills and

Iain McLaren, who has been supported by the Adult Learning Team to help find a job as well as develop his literacies skills, updated us on his progress recently. Iain has now been promoted to supervisor at his work, has got his fork lift drivers licence and is now learning to drive.

confidence of the participants. A special

In Iain’s words, “This place is a lifeline. If it wasn’t for Adult Learning, I wouldn’t be where I am now. At the end of the day, Adult Learning helped me turn it round.” Well done Iain!

Also, congratulations on finding work to our regular Work Club learners Gerrard McEwan, Robert Don, Neil Short and Les Blair. Good luck in your new jobs!

Learning Team. These sessions have been

Gerrard McEwan said, “Adult

Learning is a great team to work with, everybody is friendly and every day you learn something new.”

mention this edition too, for the parents and carers at Fallin Nursery who have been participating in interactive story

sessions with children run by the Adult

supporting parents to help their children

with reading, improving access to books

and play opportunities at home. Let’s not

forget some of our employability learners

also, like Iain McLaren whose article in this edition highlights just one of the ways in

which adult learning impacts on people’s

lives. Congratulations Iain. Good luck to all with their learning this term.

Have Your Say Hall of Fame Tribute Cabaret

The Have Your Say group recently held their annual performance at the Cowane Centre. ‘The Hall of Fame-A Tribute Cabaret’ provided the audience with an exceptional display of talent. The learners rose to the challenge of performing solo roles posing as a variety of singers. Each learner achieved a marvellous response to their versions of: Elvis, Shirley Bassey, Roy Orbison, Cilla Black, Dolly Parton, Sandie Shaw, Adele, Status Quo, Dana and the Beach Boys. A surprise performance by the Abba Waterloo Singers composed of members of staff and a rap performed by the volunteers and support workers added to the occasion.

The learners worked hard learning their lyrics, preparing props and designing their outfits. The preparation for the show also involved the learners in improving their communication skills as well as a variety of practical skills but most importantly showcasing the way in which their learning has impacted on their confidence and wellbeing.

Adult Learners receive ASDAN Awards At a recent event at the Cowane Centre, Provost Robbins presented 45 learners with their ASDAN awards certificates.

ASDAN qualifications provide opportunities for all learners to develop their personal and social skills in a range of subjects.

The Adult Learning Team as coordinator of the Stirling ASDAN Partnership and verifier of the awards was delighted to host the presentation of certificates to learners who had successfully achieved accreditation in units such as Meal Preparation and Cooking, Using a Computer, Work Awareness, Time Management and Self Organisation, Yogacise and The Wider World.

The learners were most delighted to receive their awards from Provost Robbins who congratulated and commended them on their success.

ASDAN qualifications provide opportunities for all learners to develop their personal and social skills in a range of subjects.

Family Learning Interactive Story Sessions at Fallin Nursery The Adult Learning Team has been working in partnership

with Fallin Nursery to develop and deliver interactive story

sessions for children aged between 2 and 3 years and their families.

The purpose of these sessions is to support reading, play and learning at home. The sessions are designed to encourage

families to borrow books for home and for parents and carers to

engage with their children in interactive stories and play activities.

Furthermore, staff and parents/carers have informal discussions

about the skills and knowledge children can develop through these activities. The activities are designed to be easy and affordable to

replicate at home and there are learning prompt cards available for the families to take home.

Scottish Union Learning

Improving IT skills at Cornton Vale The Adult Learning Team recently provided IT classes for staff working at Cornton Vale. The classes covered Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The Cornton Vale staff thoroughly enjoyed the classes and gained skills for the workplace.

One learner, who had been nervous about coming along to the Excel course due to lack of skills and confidence, was delighted at the end of the course that she was able to create, without help, a spreadsheet that could calculate her working hours. She said this will really help her in her personal and her working life.

One of the learners, Sharon, said, “The tutor was so patient and while I never achieved the complete aims of the course, I more than enhanced my skills and it has now given me the confidence to go on and develop my knowledge. “

Workplace ESOL The Adult Learning Team was recently awarded a contract to deliver Workplace ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes at the Newhouse Co-op Depot. The classes worked on building more effective communication in the workplace.

Additionally the classes set out to help build staff’s self-confidence, to help integration as well as progression in the workplace.

The classes were hugely successful with lots of positive feedback from the learners. Learners requested that the classes continue with a waiting list of further members of staff looking to join a Workplace ESOL class.

Jill Littlewood from USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) said: “The course has been delivered

by Adult Learning services within Stirling Council, and their delivery has been excellent.”

Adult Learners’ book launch

Recently at Bannockburn Study Group,

Nancy Lemmon and Fiona Hamill shared

extracts from their respective completed

Partnership Community Literacies Project A new Adult Learning Team and Artlink

Central partnership is supporting adults with learning difficulties and learning

disabilities to develop their literacies skills.

The Partnership Communities Literacies project is providing

books, ‘Nancy – My Life’ and ‘The Collected Poems of Edmund Hamill’ with family,

friends, fellow learners and invited guests.

Nancy had a dream of writing her life story for her children, grandchildren and great

grandchildren: a dream realised as a result of joining the Thursday night class held in Bannockburn Library.

Fiona also succeeded in fulfilling a long desired wish to publish a book of the wonderful poems

the opportunity for adults to access literacies support

written by her husband who sadly passed away

Participants are finding the informal integration of literacies

Nancy and Fiona enjoyed an evening

way of helping them to develop their skills. Self-esteem,

others to find out more about the opportunities

through the provision of a creative writing programme.

support in their creative writing activity a really beneficial confidence and communication skills are developing as a result of the partnership. Recently, the participants

performed a selection of their writing at an event at the Macrobert Arts Centre.

Self-esteem, confidence and communication skills are developing as a result of the partnership.

before the completion of the book.

celebrating their achievement and encouraging available in adult learning.

Early Writing at

East Plean Nursery

Spotlight on a Parent’s Learning Journey Over the past 7 months Adele Marshal

has embraced the opportunities available through the Adult Learning Team and

Partnership working between the Adult Learning Team and

demonstrated a real commitment to

opportunities becoming available for parents and carers and their

Adele is a regular user of her local library and

East Plean Nursery has resulted in a range of family learning

children to attend. The focus this year has been on interactive family activities incorporating early literacy elements.

learning.

it is here her learning journey started. After

attending an open day there she signed up for

The nursery based Festive Family Craft Session was very popular

computer classes in order to help her children

children also had their other family members supporting them too. The

the 10 week course.

attracting 17 families. As well as mums and dads attending, some

do their homework, and successfully completed

session provided festive themed creative activities. Threaded through

Adele then went on to complete the 8 week

these activities were the opportunities to draw and write for a variety of meaningful purposes. Staff and parents/carers supported their child to

draw, write labels, messages in cards and represent their ideas for their very own story.

Triple P Parenting Programme, the Teen Triple P and is now currently participating in the

THRIVE project. This project aims to support

parents to develop skills and confidence within

Having purposeful activities, a range of resources and most importantly

a women centred programme delivered over 16

concentration and demonstrated the range of skills and capacity children

Despite a busy family life, Adele has been

one-to-one support from parents/carers and staff, enhanced children’s

have to engage in early writing. This session was an excellent example

of how working together with families can positively impact on children’s engagement and learning.

weeks.

dedicated and attended courses held in the

local and wider Stirling area. She has applied

what she has learned at home and feels better

Following on from this session some parents are now accessing further

able to support her children with their computer

deeply at how early writing emerges and what adults can do to support

parenting programme has had a positive impact

sessions on early writing for children under 5. These sessions look more

based homework. Applying strategies from the

early writing development at home.

on her family.

Working together can positively impact on learning...

Adele reported that by attending these courses she has gained more self- confidence and

enjoys learning. She is now aiming to continue with further computer classes and once her

youngest child starts school, she is looking at applying for a wider range of jobs.

Community capacity building with Castle Crafters

An Audience with Adult Learners The Adult Learning Team recently held an open event

to celebrate Adult Learners’ Week, providing a range of

information about local learning opportunities to motivate others to participate in learning.

Castle Crafters are a voluntary group in Raploch who meet weekly for some creative learning and fun. As part of our community capacity

building, the Adult Learning Team supported

the initial development of the group last year

by providing a tutor to introduce new craft skills and activities suitable for all the members. The group members are positive and encouraging and they enjoy sharing their skills in knitting, crochet, card making and sewing as well as

helping and inspiring each other to develop their

At the event, learners shared their experiences and highlighted

own abilities. The group worked together to learn

spoke confidently about how learning gave them a sense of

flowers, book binding, weaving and embroidery

opportunities, developing confidence, learning new skills, taking

new ideas and many of them share their learning

the impact learning had made on their lives. The learners

new skills which included glass decoration, paper

personal achievement as well as how it helped to create new job

needlework. They enjoy the opportunity to try

up new challenges and making friends.

with family and others in the community.

The event provided members of the public as well as Council

One of the learners said, “We

officials an opportunity to meet with local adult learners and to find out more about the impact of Adult Learning.

“Learning helps to create new job opportunities, develop confidence, take up new challenges and make friends.”

have learnt a lot of different skills which we can continue to work on.”

“I want to achieve a level 4 Communication qualification so that I can take my studies to a higher level at college or university.”

Communication and Literacies Class The Communication and Literacies class at the Cowane Centre offers learners the opportunity to brush up on their reading and writing as well as gaining an SQA

Communication unit. The Communication units consist of reading, writing, speaking and listening outcomes

and are offered at SCQF levels 2 – 4. Learners starting

out on their learning journey and lacking confidence can start with the basics at entry level whilst those wishing to gain a more advanced qualification can study at

“I was already coming to other classes and wanted to gain a qualification and improve my confidence.”

SCQF level 4.

Some learners have joined the class because they want to go on to further or higher education. Others have

decided that they would like to get accreditation for the

learning they are doing through Adult Learning classes.

The Adult Learning Team offer SQA Core Skills accreditation in Communication, Numeracy and ICT.

“The class is small, relaxed and non-judgemental with plenty of support from the tutor and volunteers.”

Callander ESOL Class

Class Visits ESOL Conversation Café English language learners from across Stirling have been

meeting up once a month to practise their conversation skills over a cup of coffee, supported by Adult Learning Team

volunteers and tutors. Topics have included shopping, local events and even how to use the Glasgow Subway!

A new ESOL class in Callander has

been a huge success, bringing together new non-native speakers living in the area. Learners are migrant workers

from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and

Poland, working in many of the town’s

Learners have thoroughly enjoyed meeting different learners

local businesses. The class time was

all across the world, including Ethiopia, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy,

businesses to help those on shift work

and chatting with native speakers. Participants have come from

negotiated with learners and local

Morocco, Poland, Egypt, Latvia and Lithuania.

access the classes.

Learners have enjoyed the classes and

are clear about the difference the class is

making to their employment, employability One learner said,

“It’s hard to talk with Scottish people. Here I can meet Scottish people and make new friends. I don’t feel so isolated now.”

skills and personal lives.

Learners have reported that they now

understand instructions at work better.

They also shared that they now know how to make a good CV and how to perform

better at job interviews. Finally, learners

have fed back that the class has helped

them to make doctor appointments and to speak with the doctor about their health.

The Adult Learning Team provide a range of classes including: For further information, call 01786 237517 or email adultlearning@stirling.gov.uk

http:// www.stirling.gov.uk/adultlearning

facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adult-LearningTeam-Stirling-Council/147816432027472

• • • • •

Reading, writing, spelling and numbers

English for speakers of other languages ICT skills

Family learning

Personal development and confidence

building

• Languages • Skills for work • Volunteering and more