Community Learning and Development - A year of Community Learning and Development 2023 to 2024

For some, the idea of a formal learning institution can be daunting, particularly, if a learner faces barriers or has been out of education for a long time. Community-based learning provides the right learning environment for many taking their first steps into or back into learning. (Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland 2021 to 2026)

Who is it for?

Our programmes are for adults with limited or no qualifications, those who may not feel confident in their communication, reading, writing, number or English language skills, as well as people who haven't had much experience with computers.

How?

We work in small groups, in person or online, to ensure personalised attention, and a supportive space for learning.

Typical time commitment required is just a couple of hours per week, for approximately 5 to 8 weeks. Our programmes are free.

Where and when

Most of our courses run during the day, Monday to Friday, with some being available in the evenings, to accommodate learners' needs. We currently operate in Perth, Kinross, Bridge of Earn, Birnam, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, Crieff, Alyth, Rattray, and Blairgowrie.

Key achievements

Over the past year, 708 learners have signed up to our courses. These have included English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), digital skills, literacy and numeracy, and a range of ASDAN short courses.

Our ESOL offer over the past year has been developed and expanded to include Conversation Café, ESOL for Employability, and ESOL for Academic Writing.

Our Digital Skills offer has been developed in response to identified needs and now includes a basic digital skills course, with learners having the option to progress onto SQA Core Skills Unit in ICT.

Our ASDAN short courses offer includes a wide range of topics for learners to choose from. Favourite topics over the past year have included Expressive Arts and Gardening. ASDAN courses have proved to be a great way for adults to get back into learning, and they enjoy the challenges in a supportive environment.

• "Thank you for your help, I got this English course from the Council, thank you for your interesting teaching, my English has improved, and it can help me in my daily life, I hope it can continue to help improve my English ability to integrate life in UK thanks."
• "Hello, I took the Foodwise course. The course was interesting enough for my level. Also, at every stage I felt supported, and this gave me more confidence regarding my plans for my future work. Since English is a language I only recently started learning, I was worried that the course would be difficult. But this did not happen. Thank you for your support and I hope for future co-operation."
• "I am proud of myself for getting out of the house and coming to the group."
• "I have been waiting for years to get help, then I saw you and a week later I'm in a reading and writing class and I'm starting a digital skills class."

Case studies

Grappling with dyslexia

Background

Learner A is a 50-year-old man, grappling with dyslexia. His fear of writing birthday cards and simple messages weighed heavily on him, and he actively avoided reading.

The turning point

Through persistent effort, he attended lessons in the Learning Curve, where he focused on spelling, punctuation, reading, and writing. Gradually, his confidence soared, and he gained new life skills:

• Texting his daughters: he now crafts heartfelt texts to his daughters using his mobile phone. He independently checks spelling and punctuation.
• Validation: His daughters confirmed that his messages now made sense - a testament to his progress.
• Independence: No longer reliant on others to write birthday cards, he confidently expresses himself.
• Reading signs: He even reads signs in shop windows, on the street, and leaflets that once ended up in the bin.
• Impact: In his own words, he declared, "You have changed my life!".

Finding refuge in Scotland

Learner E, found refuge in Scotland, and embarked on a remarkable learning journey. Here's her inspiring story:

• Food hygiene course: E kick-started her journey by completing an accredited Food and Hygiene course.
• Growbiz connection: recognising E's potential, the Community Worker connected her with Growbiz for small business support.
• Foodwise ASDAN: she enrolled in the Foodwise ASDAN programme, during which she did research on different diets, market research, linked in with other small local businesses, trialled dishes with family and friends, and with Growbiz to further her progress.
• Bakery dream: E's passion led her to starting her own bakery business from home.
• Self-employment: E officially registered as self-employed, with her home kitchen as the business hub.
• Sweet success: now she crafts cakes and desserts for local events.

Learning a new skill

Nålebinding by Robert Lawson 

Nålebinding (Danish and Norwegian: literally "binding with a needle" or "needle-binding") is a fabric creation technique predating both knitting and crochet. Also known in English as "knotless netting", "knotless knitting", or "single-needle knitting", the technique is distinct from crochet in that it involves passing the full length of the working thread through each loop, unlike crochet where the work is formed only of loops, never involving the free end. It also differs from knitting in that lengths must be pieced together during the process of nålebinding, rather than a continuous strand of yarn that can easily be pulled out. Archaeological specimens of fabric made by nålebinding can be difficult to distinguish from knitted fabric. 

I decided to test myself and try a completely new skill. I did find it difficult in the beginning and making sure that I was watching videos showing the techniques I needed to learn. Here is my journey.

I made these needles using ice lollypop sticks. I gently carved them and made holes for the wool to pass through. 

I made a new needle using a oak wood and found this much easier to use even though it is a much softer wood. 

This was my attempt at using the Finnish 2 + 2 stitch technique. As you can see, I worked on different tensions. I used the same amount of wool for both trial pieces.  

Making a hat and attempting at working on a round stitch. This hat took about 8 hours to make. 

This is the mitten I made. I realised that the thumb is too big and from bottom of thumb across palm needs to be tighter, also need more stitching at the cuff to be more robust. 

Working on Nålebinding allowed me to learn a new skill, research information and be patient. Over the weeks I can't see where I am going wrong, but I do know what I am looking for and that shows my progress and willingness to persevere with my learning. Being able to make socks is my ultimate goal and by testing myself I have made squares, rows, hat, beret, mitten and practised going round corners. I am enjoying this ASDAN and seeing what I have achieved over a short space of time gives me pride.

Developing digital skills

Introduction summary

Digital Skills in Pitlochry over the past year has seen tremendous growth. The average learner is over 60 and most have never used a digital device and have no confidence in learning how to use them. They feel that they are being forced into joining the digital world because most services are now accessed online, and shop locations are closing.

Situation

Learners in this area must travel to Perth from Pitlochry and surrounding areas to go into a bank or shop in a physical store. Transportation is extremely limited.

Learners have different devices which makes it difficult for training purposes. Some devices are older, handed down from a well-intentioned family member. Learners say that they cannot learn from their family due to lack of patience or the work is just done for them, so they are not learning to do it independently.

Learners want to gain confidence in using their devices to be part of their communities. They feel like they do not know what is going on because everything is posted on social media, conversations are taking place on WhatsApp, and shopping and banking is online. Even parking is done with an app!

What we did

We offered digital skills courses at the Pitlochry Library. These consisted of:

• 5-week basic course covering computer basic operations and terminology such as keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, apps etc. Internet navigation/safety, watching, listening, reading online, how to access Public Services online (MYPKC, NHS), and how to set up and use email
• 5-week building skills course covering social media, video calling, online shopping, file management, and using online forms and evaluation
• drop-ins at the end of classes for specific questions
• SQA Information and Communication Technology (ICT): the focus of this course is on transferable ICT skills - using ICT systems, using applications software, and finding information from electronic data sources
• ASDANS

Result

• 31 learners completed basic digital skills course.
• 25 learners completed building digital skills course.
• 1 learner completed an expressive arts ASDAN.
• 1 learner continued to take the SQA ICT course; she is planning on attending college once she has the digital skills needed for college.
• A total of 104 hours of learning in Pitlochry.
• Met the Action Plan Priority - IT skills training for seniors.
• One learner said she gained back her independence after having to give up her car and license by gaining confidence to shop online, use WhatsApp to communicate with her community groups, keep up-to-date with what's happening in her town, buy bus tickets online, and keep in touch with friends and family - "I've gained confidence in my digital skills so that I am not afraid to try things now".
• Active citizenship - learners are confident to take part in voting online for PB, some have shared their new skills in their community groups, they are able to participate in volunteer opportunities now that they can see what's happening in their area on social media, many have joined WhatsApp groups.

Did you know?

• 26% of adults in Scotland have very low digital capability
• 6% of adults in Scotland are offline