Community Learning and Development Plan 2024 to 2027

A number of methods were used to help inform the priorities for the new Community Learning and Development Plan: 

• a survey of stakeholders, including the Community Learning and Development Partnership, learners and staff, asking for their views on how Community Learning and Development can help tackle the themes of: 
  • reducing poverty 
  • mental wellbeing 
  • digital participation 
  • learning and development 
  • employability 
• a review of key data, including locality profiles, performance data from services and other sources of evidence, such as Community Action Plans 
• ensuring that the priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan align and support the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Council Corporate Plan

What we learned and priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan 

Priority: Tackling poverty 

Perth and Kinross has a reputation as an affluent place to live with higher-than-average rates of employment. However, many children and households experience the damaging effects of poverty, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and current cost-of-living crisis present significant challenges for many of our households. Approximately one in four children in Perth and Kinross are living in poverty. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Tackling poverty effectively involves a multi-agency approach that values lived experience, combats stigma, and centres solutions around community hubs to ensure inclusive, community-driven support. 
• Addressing poverty requires improving employment opportunities and providing access to learning and upskilling (including young people), which are essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering economic empowerment. 
• Tackling poverty effectively depends on well-funded outreach services, supported by dedicated volunteers, to strengthen community connection and provide crucial assistance to those in need. 

Priority: Mental wellbeing 

The mental wellbeing of adults and young people was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis and evidence from the Health and Social Care Partnership shows a major increase in demand for mental wellbeing support. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Training around mental wellbeing educates individuals on recognising and addressing, while promoting and understanding of its importance helps create a more informed and empathetic environment.
• Early intervention in schools can significantly enhance mental wellbeing by identifying and addressing mental health issues early, providing support through counselling and mental health education and fostering a supportive school environment with students and parents.
• Focus on practices such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular exercise, building strong social connections, engaging in meaningful activities, managing stress through alternative therapies. 

Priority: Skills, lifelong learning and employability 

Good digital skills and the confidence to use them has become increasingly important and has highlighted issues with connectivity, technology and individual capacity. Community Learning and Development services focus on those who need the greatest support to bridge the "digital divide." 

What people told us about this priority:

• Training opportunities should be co-ordinated and promoted locally including pathways to employment. 
• Digital hubs in communities, could also include banking and advice hubs with devices available to use. These could be in schools, libraries and/or community centres/village halls. 
• Intergenerational learning and Digital Champions in local venues could increase digital skills. 

Access to learning and development opportunities is a priority for those in formal and informal education. Community Learning and Development provision helps to support individuals and communities to build their skills, confidence and resilience. Ways of delivering learning have also evolved and changed with a particular focus on our most vulnerable communities such as those seeking asylum and gypsy travellers.

What people told us about this priority: 

• Improve accessibility to learning. This should include having a variety of opportunities such as drop-ins. Also, increase the accessibility of suitable venues, times and childcare to reduce the barriers. 
• Involve communities more in the design and delivery of learning opportunities for all ages. 
• Improve accessibility to learning including digital access and suitable venues such as empty shop units which could be utilised by community organisations to carry out outreach work. 

Employability is about an enhanced focus on upskilling for those seeking employment and supporting adults and young people in a fast-changing job market, enabling people to enter, sustain and progress into further education and work. Community Learning and Development services supports the Local Employability Partnership bringing by providing the skills, qualifications and confidence to engage in more formal employability programmes. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Formal and informal education opportunities need to match the job market trends. 
• Have a clear strategic approach with an identified lead to bring together employers, educational establishments and community organisations to network and collaborate. 
• Work with employers to increase the number of work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities available. 

Priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan 

Based on the findings from the consultation exercise and a review of relevant information and data, the following are priorities for the 2024 to 2027 Community Learning and Development Plan: 

• Tackling poverty in our communities 
• Working in partnership with communities to meet local need and develop resilient communities
• Supporting children, young people and families to improve their outcomes 
• Developing a stronger and greener local economy and supporting lifelong learning and employability support 
• The mental wellbeing of children, young people and adults