Friday 19 December 2014

Wishing you all a lovely Festive break

The Learning Shop is closed from today, Friday 19th December, until the 5th January. Staff would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and thank all students and tutors for all their hard work this year. You make our work worthwhile. Thanks also to everyone who donated to our Cash for Kids Christmas jumper day. We raised £36.36 and Wendy kindly took the donation and dropped it off to West FM.
We hope that 2015 brings many good things and we look forward to seeing all our familiar faces and some new ones too. We will come back in January ready to do some interesting work and look forward to catching up after the festive break,
Have a good one, one and all!!!
Zoe

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Volunteer Tutor Training

Nineteen tutors have just undertaken and completed the 11 week Tutor Training course – the largest number ever to finish the course. So well done to all those who took part!
·       ‘Very worthwhile’,
·       ‘I have learned to be more tolerant and understanding’
·       ‘I am more aware of other people’s challenges’
·       ‘Informative, educational and fun!’
·       ‘Great course’
·       ‘Illuminating and challenging’
·       ‘It helped me empathise with people who have learning and numeracy issues’
These are just some of the comments that were received from the feedback.  We now wish them luck as they undertake their final assessment and we look forward to working with those who have not yet been paired with a learner, in the New Year.

Eric and Julia

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Wednesday 17th December

Due to a staff meeting in the Learning Shop on Wednesday 17th December, unfortunately the shop will be closed until 1pm. Sorry for any inconvenience. Have a very Merry Christmas from all the Staff

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Festive fun for a good cause

On the 10th December we are having a Christmas jumper day! Please wear a Christmas jumper and join in the fun - make a small donation if you can and The Learning Shop will send all donations to Wesh FM Cash for kids. 'Tis the season!!

Thursday 27 November 2014

Calling all Tutors!!


We are on a recruitment drive for more tutors!  Many of you have been working as volunteers with Adult Learning for a while and as you know your role is an important one.  If you have enjoyed the experience and found it worthwhile please let your friends and colleagues know.  The next course will commence in the New Year.  Please contact the Learning Shop on 01292 263304 for more information and if you would like someone to come and speak informally to a small group, that too can be arranged! Thanks, Zoe

Thursday 13 November 2014

English class in Maybole

We run a free english class on a Monday morning in Maybole. If you or someone you know needs help with english and is looking for a job please come along and ask for Susan. You can find us upstairs in the library or phone us on 01292 263304 for more information.


Thursday 30 October 2014

Hello!



Hi There!

I am Rhonda Leith, the new team leader at the Learning Shop.  I am responsible for adult literacy across the whole of South Ayrshire, as well as Community Learning and Development in the Troon and Prestwick areas.

I started out as a volunteer with the team here about 12 years ago and just loved it!  Since then I worked in youth work, adult learning and community development across Scotland (from Aberdeen to Glasgow).

For the last two years I've been working in the Carrick area for South Ayrshire Council.  I’m really pleased to have joined the team here at such an exciting time, with the shop re-opening and some new projects starting.  They have made me very welcome and are doing some wonderful work!

Its been lovely to meet some of you learners and tutors over the past few weeks, and I look forward to meeting even more of you over the coming months.

Best wishes
Rhonda

Monday 27 October 2014

Money Management Workshop

Do you know anyone who would benefit from a Money Management workshop? Carrick Money Advice Service is running a session in Maybole on Wednesday 3rd December, please spread the word! Contact Nikki on 07725823687 or email nikki.moneyadvice@ssff.org.uk for more information, Zoe


Friday 24 October 2014

Our Opening day


Cutting the ribbon to officially re-open the Shop, Councillor Toner said: “I’m absolutely delighted to re-open this excellent service and it’s a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the Adult Literacy team and the superb work they do.

“In the eleven years since the Learning Shop first opened, our team has helped thousands of people with reading, writing, spelling and number skills, all delivered at a time and pace to suit their needs.

“Our team is brilliantly supported by another team of over 100 volunteer tutors – people who give up their time to be trained to support other adults in their learning – and the success of the Learning Shop is a direct reflection of their dedication and commitment to others.”

This year looks set to be one of the busiest ever for the Learning Shop, with more than 150 students receiving literacy support and over 100 foreign students getting help to improve their English language skills.

Nearly two hundred people will learn how to use a computer and more than fifty new volunteers will complete the tutor training course.

OPEN DAY SUCCESS!!

A big thank you to everyone who came along to our very busy Open Day yesterday, we had some great feedback and it was lovely to see all the faces, both new and known to us. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as the staff here at the Learning Shop. We'll get some pictures posted soon.
Thanks, Zoe

Thursday 23 October 2014

Welcome to our Open Day!



It's finally here, our long awaited Open Day! We hope you enjoy meeting others and seeing our new improved Learning Shop, hearing about our wonderful student stories and having a chat and a cup of tea!

Monday 20 October 2014

Opening Day

Here is the invite we sent out to our tutors and learners, we hope you can make it and look forward to meeting our partners, council members and other invited guests in the evening from 4pm onwards,
Thanks, Zoe


Wednesday 8 October 2014

Adult Learning Diaries

Did you know that you can now print Learning Diaries and Lesson Plan templates from our website?

Click here to be taken to printable tutor paperwork. These documents are always available under our Resources tab in the Tutor Paperwork section.

I hope this is helpful

Zoe

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Girvan and Dailly IT Groups

Looking for basic IT computer classes in Girvan or Dailly?

At the moment they are on at the Carrick Opportunities Centre, Girvan
Wednesday - 11.45am-12.45pm
Thursday - 11am-12noon

The Learning Bus will also be in Dailly for Basic IT classes on Wednesday 15th October 1.30-3.30pm

IT for Employability:

Dailly Library- Monday- 10.30am-12pm

Carrick Opportunities Centre- Thursday 1pm-2.30pm
Carrick Opportunities Centre- Thursday-2.45pm-4.15pm
 
For further details please contact Elaine on 01465 716639  

Wednesday 3 September 2014

We are OPEN!!

As promised, we are open again. Please come in if you are passing and say hello. There are lots of new developments and exciting things planned so be sure to check back for an update.
Zoe

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Not long now!!!

The blinds are up the carpets are down and the computer system is back up and running. Staff are busy moving paperwork and boxes back into the shop to prepare for us opening to the public again on Monday. Is it just me or is anyone else excited!! Here are some photos taken today, enjoy and see you all soon
Zoe 

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Getting there

Here is a picture from earlier today, as you can see the walls are all freshly painted now, with skirting boards! Just the new flooring to go down next week and we can begin the process of moving back in!! So far it looks like we are still on target for opening our doors again on the 1st September. Hope to see you then or shortly after,
Many thanks, Zoe

Monday 11 August 2014

Update on the Learning Shop


Hello everyone,
We are pleased to announce that we have a provisional date for reopening the shop to tutors and learners. As things currently stand, the flooring should be down by the end of next week, the computers and staff should be settled in by the end of the following week and we will hopefully open our shiny new doors on the 1st September. As we've seen over the past few months things change and don't always go to plan so please check back next week for another update and keep your fingers crossed that it all goes smoothly!!
Many thanks for your patience,
See you all soon,
Zoe

Wednesday 30 July 2014

New ESOL Class in Maybole

If you know anyone who would benefit from learning English please get in touch. The class starts on Monday 4th August at 1pm in the Carnegie Building in Maybole, we look forward to hearing from you.

Zoe

Thursday 24 July 2014

Still progressing...!

So the new windows and doors are in and do look very nice 
 The painter has been in to do the inside and outside of the windows and door, still waiting on walls,skirtings, carpet tiles and blinds!

Hopefully we will be opening our doors soon to all our wonderful learners and tutors!


Thursday 10 July 2014

Progress!

So things finally look like they are starting to take shape down at The Learning Shop with the new doors and glass having been fitted this week! Here's the latest pictures.

 



Tuesday 8 July 2014

Learning Shop Update!!!!

We think we have some good news!!


As work was being done around the doorway....asbestos was discovered.  Luckily it was a very small amount and all has now been removed.  The windows and doors are being fitted this week and hopefully the decorators will be in next week.  They will take over a week to paint the Shop and fit new flooring and then the move back in will start.  We are HOPING to be back in business on Monday 4th August.

Keep checking the website for updates and we will endeavour to contact everyone to confirm the date.
 
See you all soon and hope you are enjoying the summer!

Julia

Thursday 3 July 2014

South Carrick Tutors

 
We would like to invite you to a tutor forum on Tuesday 8th of July from 1pm-3.30pm in the Carrick Opportunities Centre, Girvan. This will be an informal meeting, where you can have a chat to other tutors about the work you are doing.  There will be staff present to answer any questions you may have.

We hope you can make it and hope this will be an opportunity for you to network with other tutors!
 
Thanks

Monday 30 June 2014

ESOL Celebration Evening


 
On the 19th June 2014, we had the ESOL celebration evening in The John Pollock Centre Ayr. Greg Cassidy came along with Shona Howat from Ayrshire College to take part in our evening.   Greg presented some of our learners with certificates for gaining Access 2 accreditation.   





There was a fantastic buffet of international dishes and home baking.  Learners had the opportunity to work in class on recipes and instructions with their tutors prior to the evening.   This then helped them to write up their own recipe that they had prepared for the evening.  We had a variety of Indian, Chinese, Polish, Italian and Scottish food.

 
 The weather allowed the children to play in the court yard at the John Pollock Centre, whilst their parents got their ‘eyes down’ for a game of bingo.  This was also organised and presented by one of our ESOL groups.  The evening was a big success and I’d like to say a big thank you to Susan Wilson, Eileen Opiolka, Irene Lamont, Liza Donaldson and all our volunteer tutors for all their help that evening and for all their hard work during the year.

 
The ESOL courses will start again week commencing 18th August 2014.  If you have any queries, please contact the Learning Shop on 01292 263304.

 
 Ann
 


Thursday 19 June 2014

New windows!

If you haven't been past the Learning Shop recently the new windows are going in and they are lovely!


It's all go! The outside is taking shape, inside....different story!

Friday 13 June 2014

What's happening now?!

Today the work men are preparing to install the first window
The stonework surrounding some of the windows has been put in place and looks wonderful
Work on the other windows is continuing and the new doors are still to be installed but over all the progress is good and should look very nice when completed
We'll add more pictures soon so please come back for an update. If you have any problems or questions please phone the usual shop number: 01292 263304
Thanks, Zoe

Thursday 5 June 2014

Here's the latest!


The work is well and truly underway, this week has seen the old windows being removed and in some cases taken down to floor level. Thankfully the gaping holes have been boarded up again too, waiting on the shiny new windows that will be installed later in the month.
We have also displayed banners outside the shop with contact details and a reminder that we will be closed during June. The banners can be seen by people passing by on foot or coming over the bridge in cars and buses. A reminder of the contact number for us: 01292 263304

Thanks for checking in, come back soon,
Zoe

Monday 2 June 2014

Week One of the Learning Shop Closure

This is the first week of the closure of the Learning Shop due to our renovations.The picture above shows how things looked on Friday when Colin Coney took a photograph. Each week Colin will take pictures to map the progress being made and we will update this site regularly so you can share all the developments taking place. It's an exciting time for the building and we look forward to seeing the changes over the coming month. Check back soon for more information and meanwhile if you have any queries please phone the usual Learning Shop number on 01292 263304.

Thanks, Zoe

Monday 19 May 2014

Tutor Awards Night

The Learning Shop was open late on Wednesday for a special occasion.  The tutors who completed their training in February were presented with their Certificates of Achievement, by Councillor Margaret Toner, the Portfolio Carrier for Lifelong Learning.  She is a great supporter of the Learning Shop and is always interested to hear the new tutors talk about their learners and teaching experiences.  The Adult Learning service could not exist without the Volunteer Tutors, who, over the years have given many adults the opportunity to increase their skills in order to improve their lives.  Some of the new tutors and staff then adjourned to a local restaurant.  Thank you to all who attended.
Julia Wooley

May 2014 

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Temporary Shop Closure


Hi everyone,

The Learning Shop will be shut during the month of June as part of the renovations of New Bridge Street.

In the next few weeks, we will be getting in touch with everyone who uses the Learning Shop to try to make alternative arrangements for their learning. We want as many students as possible to be able to continue meeting their tutors during the closure.

Even though the Shop will be shut, the staff will still be working at various locations throughout South Ayrshire. You will be able to contact us, as usual, via email or by phoning 01292 263304.

We hope to keep the disruption to a minimum and we look forward to welcoming you back to the renovated Learning Shop at the beginning of July!
Thanks
Eric

Thursday 3 April 2014

Learner Poems

Vicky Mitchell has been meeting her tutor, Lisa Masiello, for a year now. She had expressed an interest in writing some poetry and she was happy to have it shared here on our site. We hope you enjoy reading them.


A Mother to a Disabled Child



I am a mother of a child with learning disabilities,

My son has Global Developmental Delay and Microcephaly amongst other disabilities.

He has problems speaking and gets frustrated.

When out and about he at times get frustrated and lashes out or lies on the floor refusing to move, People stand and stare making comments and giving looks as though my son is out control or if I’m an unfit mother.

No one ever thinks it may be a disability my son has, they don’t seem to think disabilities can come in all sorts of form.

My son is just like any other child, He’s a Happy, Healthy and Well looked after little boy. He’s also just a little boy with special needs.

Instead of people standing judging making comments or just looking as though they are embarrassed when my son gets frustrated or nervous and has a little melt down, don’t stand and judge but instead try and think that my child could have a disability.

People need to have knowledge of disabilities and all the different kinds of disabilities there are.

I am a parent of a child with disabilities please don’t stand and stare.

My child isn’t bad, just special.

 

By Vicky Mitchell


Proud Mummy to A Special Needs Child


I am very proud mummy to a special needs child.

My son went to nursery from age 2 till 4,

While there he had a hard time as no one really knew how to work with him.

 
He didn’t speak, just screeched and screamed, due to this he was put down as trouble.

He sat by himself with no one to play with or even sit and comfort him.

 
He had meeting after meeting to try and move him with No Avail,

He eventually was given a placement at a special needs school,

And has come on leaps and bounds.

 
He now says words and is just learning three word sentences, he also does puzzles and is learning to swim.

My child is a brave little boy with lots of things to learn BUT with his disabilities he’s not afraid to try new things, even when he gets wrong.

He’ll try and try till he gets it.

 
I am a proud mummy to a special needs child,

He’s the brightest, Cleverest, Smashing wee boy,

That only improves each and every day.

 
By Vicky Mitchell

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Chloe's Story from the Big Plus




Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “Chloe’s learning journey is truly inspirational and clearly demonstrates that there are many learning paths that can lead to improving literacy skills.

“Many people take for granted their reading, writing and numeracy skills, so I think that campaigns such as this are very important to highlight the learning obstacles some people face.

“Chloe wanted to improve her skills, sought help, worked hard and the result is a young woman who now has the tools that will help her reach her goals in the future.”

Look out for Chloe's story in the local press.


Monday 17 February 2014

Adult Learning Groups


We have beginner IT Groups running in Ayr, Girvan, Maybole and Troon. These are for learners over the age of 16 who want to get started using a computer, going on the internet and sending emails.

There are 2 reading groups in Ayr and one in Girvan. This is where a member of staff reads a story and then the learners discuss it – what they liked or disliked, whether it was any good or not. Sometimes they will discuss what they think the ending might be or the meanings of words from the stories. The groups are fun, interesting and a good way of meeting people and becoming more confident in groups at a pace that suits the learners.

We have a CV group in the Learning Shop on a Tuesday between 11 and 1 for people who need to update or create a CV from scratch.

There’s also a group who meet on Mondays in the Learning Shop for Supported Education and they work on things like telling time and counting money.

For more information on all of our ESOL Groups (English for Speakers of Other Languages) please get in touch. The group abilities range from complete beginner through to those that are ready to start college. We have groups in the Learning Shop and the John Pollock Centre in Ayr.


If you are a learner who would like more information or if you know someone who might be interested in being referred please give us a ring on 01292 263304 to find out more.

Thursday 30 January 2014

CONVERSATION CLASS FOR ESOL LEARNERS


Friday mornings from 11 – 12.30
New 8 week block starts  Friday 14th February 2014  until Friday 4th April

At the John Pollock Centre
Mainholm Road
Ayr
KA8 OQD
Practise your English conversation skills and meet new friends.
Free childcare places for pre-school children aged 4 may be available
For further information and to register.  Please contact:
Ann Gentilomo at the Learning Shop

Telephone:   01292 263304

Friday 10 January 2014

Happy New Year!








Everyone at The Learning Shop would like to wish our learners and tutors all the best for 2014. We’d love to hear if you have any resolutions and if we can help you to achieve your goals in the coming year.