East Midlands
(Projects are listed alphabetically)
Access to Arts
Action Deafness
Celebration of Learning Through Diversity
Featured CHANT Project - Care Homes and New Technology View more...
The project aimed to promote and support the use of technology for the benefit of older people so that they could:
- gain new and extend existing knowledge;
- learn about using new technologies and gain confidence and competence in doing this;
- gain skills for communication;
- increase their self expression; and
- help overcome the communications gap.
In addition, the project aimed to support existing learning mentors to teach information technology (IT) skills to digitally excluded older people, and teach care home staff to support care home residents in using the latest technologies.
The project ran a 'Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector' (PTLLS) course for L4A volunteers plus bespoke surgery time for volunteers. It also offered IT learning opportunities to care home residents.
Several L4A volunteers received PTLLS training which resulted, in some instances, to employment for those volunteers.
Residential staff in care homes have also been trained in the use of IT and are able to share this with residents. Participating in the project increased the well being, confidence and skills of residents.
The project noted better inter-generational relationships developing as a result of older participants working with younger volunteers.
Melissa March,
L4A,
14 Stoneygate Avenue,
Leicester,
LE2 3HE.
Coventry City Legends
East Midlands
Projects in the East Midlands
Facing Up – A Victim Awareness Programme
Harpenden Partnership Players
Horti'cultural' Learning Festival
Learning from the Past, Building for the Future
Featured Learning Leicestershire View more...
Learning Leicestershire linked organisations which provide informal adult learning to create:
- new places and spaces for learning;
- new forms of informal learning; and
- new bridges into learning for "hard to reach" groups.
The project was delivered in five strands: structures, spaces, technology, people, and content.
Structures: Local Learning Forums were set up and met twice each in each district council area, resulting in 14 forum meetings;
Spaces: a greater use for the delivery of informal adult learning of public buildings (libraries, museums, schools etc) and of some Co-op cafes/training rooms. Smart-card/key-pad access was fitted to library doors for out-of-hours use.
Technology: this involved (a) assistive technology purchased, demonstrated and installed; ( b) a feasibility study completed on linking the library catalogue to other resources for learning; (c) information and communications technology (ICT) equipment purchased for e-learning champions to use with learners.
People: local volunteers recruited and trained to act as community learning and e-learning champions.
Content: this included (a) Community Learning web page with "how to" videos created on the Leicestershire Villages website; (b) dedicated space on the learning platform to support an e-learning champion network; (c) podcasts of content created for people to view online ; and (d) a list of useful learning websites researched and collated.
Learning Leicestershire also delivered 'The Learning Champion Conference' to bring together the community and e-learning champions with project staff.
'The Learning Champion Conference' provided an excellent way of disseminating information about all the strands of the project, as well as celebrating the work of the learning champions. The conference was attended by 97 people, of which 56 were learning champions.
Forty-six community learning champions (CLCs) have been recruited and trained and 42 e-learning champions were recruited and trained. The Adult Learning Service learning platform has been extended to support these champions through a learner forum.
A Local Learning Forum was set up in each district council area (seven across the county), and meetings were organised which were attended by a range of organisations. Assistive technology kit was purchased, and demonstrated to individuals in various locations.
The Library Service pioneered the installation of devices to library doors (smart cards and keypads) in order that libraries could be used by informal adult learning groups when the library is otherwise closed.
The development of skills of staff and volunteers, particularly in video editing, was an unplanned outcome.
The project is a good example of the importance of learning what expertise, knowledge and skills partners bring to a joint venture and using that knowledge effectively. Partners need to ensure that, before they start something new, they identify, co-ordinate and use what is already available (e.g. using the Leicestershire Villages website which already has credibility and a good reputation rather than a new portal; linking to existing services).
Other lessons learnt include:
- the importance of having an excellent administrator was a huge help in keeping the project and the budget on task;
- the realisation that planning and procurement always takes longer than anticipated; and
- the fact that recruitment and vetting of volunteers was a lengthy process.
Leicestershire County Council, Room 117, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RF.
Featured Nottingham City Museums and Galleries View more...
The Learning Revolution in Nottingham set up a core steering group made up of participating adult learners who acted as an advisory People's Panel and decision making body. The project delivered a wide range of learning opportunities including conservation and restoration, mechanics, recording oral histories, film making, marketing, web design, broadcasting, and communication and interpretation.
It opened up a new and innovative space for learning via a purpose built Community Gallery in Nottingham Castle.
The development of the People's Panel has built a strong network between local organisations and community groups. The commitment and enthusiasm from the participants was overwhelming. They felt able to contribute to the decision making process regarding the development of the project and were very supportive of each other's needs.
In total, the project engaged over 100 adults from a wide range of backgrounds. It also captured the attention of both local and national press.
Consulting the 'service users' and then developing activities around their needs worked well. However, it is important to include funding for extra staff capacity as well as providing support for participants.
Whilst the majority of the adult learners appreciated the flexibility of engagement provided by the project, there were some who would have preferred a more structured and traditional learning system in place.
Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
Nottingham City Council
Nottingham Castle
Lenton Road
Nottingham NG1 6E
Nottingham Loves Learning
Out and About...a different view of the countryside
Pass the Source
Peak Wise People
Sow it Grow it Eat it
The Right Size, Bite Size Project
Thinking Spaces
Traveller Project
WEA Area 6 Project
Yearn2Learn?
