lifelong learning

Update July 2006

The NLDC funded project, Forward to Basics, allowed Toucan Europe to promote and develop its training centre within the local community by providing the opportunity to deliver a service that supported people living mainly in Ardwick to improve their employability by entering into basic skills provision. Existing beneficiaries were supported by the project to act as ‘learning champions’ to encourage other members of their community to take part in learning activities.

Over 50% of beneficiaries were ‘new learners’ who had not been in any type of learning for at least three years but in the majority of cases it had been a lot longer, including a small number of people in their 40s and 50s whose last educational experience had been high school. Some of these ‘new learners’ had not considered entering into learning until they heard about Forward to Basics, others had been considering it but had not been able to find provision that they felt was right for them.

We have been fortunate enough to be able to allow a small number of beneficiaries who participated in Forward to Basics to continue attending training sessions in order to complete their work towards an ICT qualification.

Forward to Basics is an NLDC funded project to help people living in Ardwick and Longsight to improve their reading and writing, learn how to use a computer, get help with creating a CV, have free access to the Web, as well as meet new people and build self-confidence. We are delivering the project activities through drop-in, taster and tutor-led sessions; all the activities are free of charge.