Pre-entry Bedfordshire - Bedfordshire Adult and Community Learning
The overview of the project was: engagement and first steps provision for adults without L2 &/or skills for life qualifications, and progression to formal training and pathways leading to a level 2 course or employment/volunteering as appropriate.
The project aims and objectives were:
- To engage adults from deprived communities in Bedfordshire and provide access to learning opportunities through engagement and first steps provision.
- Improve confidence and achieve underpinning skills, eg. Co-operation, listening, negotiating and supporting peers.
- Provide access to embedded life skills, Skills for Life and modules of Level 2, eg. Improve your own learning and performance and OCN personal & Skills development.
- Build and develop partnerships with voluntary and community sector groups in order to reach disadvantaged adults.
At the start of the project partners identified their potential delivery activities. These were shared with the group and they were encouraged to work collaboratively. This worked well especially where partners did not have Skills for Life capacity and also where they could offer life skills and underpinning activities that promoted confidence and self-esteem for learners.
The project outcomes were that partners worked collaboratively there were opportunities to strengthen the provision and add value each partner’s offer, whilst retaining continuity and sustainability for learners within their own community.
Energize:
Engaged 86 new learners by providing interesting, useful and innovative events. Embedded skills for life in sessions delivered – 34 1st step sessions delivered to 63 learners. 19 learners completed 4 or more sessions. Developed motivation, new skills and self-confidence of learners (see letter from YMCA about impact on 2 of their residents). Encouraged pursuit of additional learning or employment opportunities. 3 learners now employed or involved in on-going voluntary work. 2 learners completed level 2 accredited courses. Created sustainability by developing leadership skills within two groups.
Bedford College:
The students on the Renaissance Project demonstrated an increased confidence through attendance upon the course. A number of the learners were encouraged to make applications to the February Basic Skills course along with others who made applications for courses starting in September (as a result of being known to the college their details were passed on to the Additional Support Team to ensure that they would be supported from interview onwards). There were unfortunately only a few sessions which were delivered at Prebend Day Centre due to initial difficulties in arranging sessions. The learners who attended the session seemed to enjoy the opportunity to take part in learning and re-engage with skills they had.
BPHA:
One user who attended the volunteer programme on developing wiki websites then took what he had learnt back to a local support group he was involved with. Hearts in Beds Cardiac support already had a website but were looking to revamp it. Our participant went on to totally redesign and develop their website as a wiki. Another volunteer from the wiki programme is currently teaching a local silver surfer attendee how to put her protest about a local bypass on to one of our wikis.
ACL:
Work at Cornerstones and Meadow Way enabled community champions to be developed. The sustained funding and prolonged contact provided by IiC activity has enabled us to identify the range of learning and social support needed by adults on an individual basis. This meant that we could progress them on in a responsive and sensitive way which would not be picked up through single TNAs or taster sessions. Issues identified included: child development issues, mental health, Epilepsy, ADHD and behavioural difficulties.
The project had most impact where learners either could not afford to pay for provision, had poor self-esteem and self-confidence, or did not see learning as a priority or relevant to their needs. The community impact was most effective where community champions were identified and began to develop leadership roles.
Collaborative working between experienced practitioners who understand the needs of reluctant and disadvantaged individuals and communities ensured that the project worked well. Well-developed multi-agency networks enabled practitioners to work across Service and organisational boundaries and to link in with new partners. A longer lead time would enable project workers to establish contacts and identify needs and tutors and staff to be properly briefed prior to delivery.
Contact for the Project is:
Jennifer Henderson
Bedfordshire Adult & Community Learning
Rufus Centre
Steppingley Road
Flitwick
MK45 1AH
Tel: 01582 818785
Email: Jennifer.henderson@bedscc.gov.uk
