Computing Learning Opportunities

At Adult Learning we provide a variety of Basic IT learning opportunities in various locations across South Ayrshire.

Our Ayr classes include:

Monday 9.30 - 10.30 Basic IT at Lochside Learning Centre

Tuesday 2 - 3.30 IT for Job Search (with literacies) at Lochside Learning Centre

For Lochside classes:

Give your name to Sammy or Gail or call 0800 3898 320

Monday 1.30 - 2.30 Basic IT at John Pollock Centre (Adult Learning Room)

Wednesday 10 - 11 Basic IT at John Pollock Centre (Adult Learning Room)

Friday 9.30 - 11 and 11.30 - 1pm Basic IT for speakers of other languages at JPC (ALR)

For John Pollock Centre classes:

Give your name to the Adult Learning Room reception or call 0800 3898 320

In Girvan we have:

Wednesday 11.45 - 12.45 Basic IT at Carrick Opportunities Centre, Girvan

Thursday 11.30 - 12.30 Basic IT at Carrick Opportunities Centre, Girvan

For Girvan classes:

Give your name to Carrick Opportunities reception or call 01465 716600

And in Maybole:

Tuesday 12 - 1 and 1 - 2 Basic IT at the CLD Room, Maybole Library

For Maybole classes:

Give your name to CLD reception in Maybole Library or call 01655 882105

Nailed it @ Newton

In January 2017, the Nail Bar project started in Newton Primary.  The aim of the project was to provide ten young mums, with children attending either Newton Nursery or Primary School, with an opportunity to develop new skills and gain a recognised qualification.  The course was delivered by a lecturer from Ayrshire College and  literacy support was provided by Lesley Shepherd from the Adult Leaning Team. Ten learners now have a SCQF Credit Level 4  Creative Nail Finishes to Hand & Foot.  Considering that some of these mums have experienced various barriers to education throughout their lives, and therefore have no previous qualifications, nor any experience of this subject area, this is a fantastic achievement. Not only that but six of the mums have applied to progress on to the next level of this course, or will be starting a  different college course in August.  It was undoubtedly this opportunity and the positive learning experience of participating in this project which fuelled their desire to continue their learning.

At the beginning I banned the phrase “ I can’t do this” and encouraged them to think “ how am I going to do this”.  They were a great group of learners to work with throughout and ‘gelled’ as a group very quickly. When asked for their comments on how this experience had been for them, they stated that:

“I discovered that if I put my mind to something, I can achieve it”

“ (I) gained more confidence working with others”

“...the other students.  We kept each other going and we’ve been a great group”

And when asked what they were going to do now, they replied:

“I want to learn more. Take this further”

“ I want to go to college”

“ I want to keep building on my skills”

Lesley Shepherd

Another successful learner!

English as my third Language.


I am a 37year old Latvian lady who wanted help with writing and reading English.

I walked into the John Pollock Centre and requested an appointment. I was introduced to Ann who was able to arrange for me tutor.
A plan of my learning was discussed and a day for me to see my tutor. I have been working now for 5 months and I feel that my spoken and written English has greatly improved.

Conclusion

“I am now very much more confident and I am able to converse with people from many different walks of life.
This has also helped my family.”

Another Adult Learning success!

The team at Adult Learning don't just support single learners, we can provide group support too.

The recent Let’s Get Started course at Lochside Learning Centre was delivered in collaboration between Scott from CLD and Gail from Adult Learning. It was predicted that students attending this group may be in need of literacy support, however the approach in the group was initially one of co-delivery, with our different roles emerging later as the participants got to know us.

One learner requested scribing help early on, though this was mainly due to lack of confidence, so the learner was helped and encouraged to write on her own at various times within the course.

Although other learners didn’t require literacy support in order to complete this course, five of the seven participants did request separate literacy support in a range of subjects including reading, writing, numeracy and IT.

The collaborative approach trialled with this group allowed the literacy team to become known to another group of potential learners, building a rapport with them and developing the links between Adult Learning and CLD at Lochside.

If you would like to know more about future plans for Adult Learning groups or Community Learning at Lochside, call us on 0800 3898 320.

One Adult Learner's success story

The following was written by one of our learners in Maybole

"I live in Maybole and am in my mid-fifties. I have health problems which prevent me from working.

I initially made contact with CLD for Basic IT classes run by Adult Learning. I was anxious about my ability to learn and about being with other people in a group. However with encouragement and reassurance from staff I went along. Over time I became more comfortable, and was invited to a new Let’s Get Started group – a programme for confidence building, identifying skills and looking ahead. Again, I needed some persuasion but I agreed to go. I was quiet initially, and very anxious, however the staff and other participants helped me to settle and I completed the course.

I feel a big change. I am eating more healthily, getting out more and have my sense of humour back..  I felt confident enough to approach Adult Learning to ask for help with my reading and writing. I had never had the courage to admit to this before. I have now started literacy support with a  tutor and am making good progress. I have also started the Stress Busting course and enjoy  the routine, the company and learning.

I feel so much better about myself and have made new friends. I look forward to coming to the groups, it gives me routine and I have a laugh."

ESOL Awards

We recently held an awards evening for our ESOL learners who are always a very motivated group. We provide English lessons for people at beginner level and up until they are advanced enough to access college classes. We have also been providing family learning opportunities for those who have recently arrived in South Ayrshire.

We were joined by Claire Monaghan, Head of Communities for South Ayrshire Council, who presented students with their certificates.

Congratulations to all our ESOL learners on what they have achieved so far!

Gail

Claire Monaghan presenting some of our learners with their certificates.

The children from our family learning groups were also awarded for their learning and achievements!

Open Event photos

We are delighted to say that our Open Event was a huge success, with current students, tutors and partners coming along to see the range of learning opportunities we have on offer. We were pleased to welcome a few new faces on the day too!

Arlene showed some interesting writing activities

Bryce took us through our paces with numeracy 

Gail showed how to find information online

Lesley provided opportunities for reading

Pauline, Karla and Lesley provided some fun family learning

And there was even some time to play!

Our thanks go to partners from South Ayrshire Council and SAC Community Learning and Development who added information stalls to our open day. Thanks also to Tesco who provided refreshments for all who attended!

Learning Programme

Open Event - all welcome!

Adult Learning staff are hosting an Open Event next Wednesday, 24th May in John Pollock Centre, Mainholm Road, Ayr. There will be a range of fun activities highlighting the services we provide to the people of South Ayrshire including literacy, numeracy, ESOL and IT.

We will also be joined by partner organisations who can provide help and information on a range of subjects including employability and a range of groups within different areas of South Ayrshire.

Free tea, coffee and juice will be available alongside a cake stall run by Childwatch to raise funds for their creche facilities within John Pollock Centre.

We look forward to seeing many tutors, students and new faces at our event, so please come along and bring a friend if you can!

Volunteer Tutor Awards

Congratulations were in order as our volunteer tutors received their awards for completing the Adult Learning Tutor Training course. We were delighted to have tutors from the two 2016 training courses come together to receive their certificates.

It was a pleasure having Claire Monaghan – Head of Communities – along to present the certificates.

Volunteer Tutors with Margaret Burns (CLD Coordinator) and Claire Monaghan (Head of Communities)

The Adult Learning Team would like to thank all the volunteers who took part and who made the course such a success. Thanks and well done!

Gail

World Book Night

Sunday is World Book Night - how are you taking part? Try recommending a favourite book to someone who doesn't regularly read or, better still, give them a copy! 😊

Volunteer tutors needed for Girvan and South Carrick area

Did you know…?

One in every 28* adults in the Scottish population has difficulty with reading, writing and numbers.  Many people find it difficult to read and count sufficiently to enable them to go for their shopping, read the instructions on their medication, help their children with their homework, read letters or fill in forms.  These are only a few examples.  

Would you like to help an adult overcome these problems?

At Adult Learning we offer free support to any adult who wants to improve their reading, writing, spelling, numbers or computer skills.  We train volunteers to help adults who want such support. 

If you are interested in finding out about becoming a Volunteer Tutor  in the Girvan and South Carrick area, please contact the Carrick Opportunities Centre Reception on 01465 716600 leaving your name and number and your local Literacy Development Worker will be delighted to have a chat with you.  

Here's what one of tutors has to say:

"I have been a voluntary tutor for nearly 10 years and still love helping others to better themselves by learning a bit more. 

We aren't teaching to a university level - (I, for one, couldn't do that anyway ) - just helping those who maybe missed a bit at school or want to be able to read the newspaper or a book to their children or count up what they spent every week or understand what a supermarket receipt says.

If you put yourself in the shoes of someone who has plucked up the courage to ask for help and show them how easy it can be to learn, you get a nice warm feeling. You don't have to be a "teacher" type of person, just more like a friend helping a friend.

There is always plenty of help when you become a tutor.  I have only to ask and there will be some sort of resources to help me.  There is also a friendly person to give me advice if I am not sure about something."  

Please, help us to make a difference.

* Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies 2009 report of findings.

SYRIAN AND AFGHAN FAMILIES ESOL LEARNING PROGRAMMES

The ESOL Family Learning Programme started in Troon in July 2015 to provide a learning opportunity for a group of Afghan women and children.  The women continue to  improve their English language skills while the children enjoy learning through play.     

In Ayr, we are delivering ESOL literacy classes to some of the Syrian families recently resettled in the area. 

We are delighted that these groups can now receive Scottish Qualifications Authority accreditation for their learning.

The accreditation is delivered by Ayrshire College.  ESOL lecturer Orsolya Dunn recently visited the learners on site, “ it’s great to see how much they achieve and how determined they are to succeed”.  

The adult learners will be presented with their certificates at our ESOL Family Summer Social in June. The children will also be presented with certificates from our Early Years partners, for their participation and progress in learning.  

Receiving accredited recognition for their learning is highly motivating for the learners and the children.  Both are making great progress and we look forward to celebrating this with them and other families, at our annual summer social event.

Susan Wilson