Community Learning Champions seminar Thursday, January 27, 2011 - 16:34

Adult community learning providers from across the country heard about the benefits of adopting the Community Learning Champions model in their work, by hearing directly from providers and learners.

Groundwork West Midlands shared information about their Community Learning Champions project which has effectively engaged learners across Coventry.

Sue Schofield from Bolton College spoke about the college's Learning Ambassador scheme which has been running since 2000. The Learning Ambassadors are often called upon and paid to undertake research in the community by other organisations, such as the PCT, who recognise their effectiveness in making the right contacts.

Sue said:

"The Learning Ambassadors are known to reach places water can't reach - and they are so much cheaper than outside consultants."

Nottinghamshire County Council described how it recruits mentors in partner organisations who then recruit and support Community Learning Champions in their community. This helps to strengthen local ownership and to ensure long term sustainability.

Liz Cousins, NIACE Project Manager for the national Community Learning Champions Support Programme, said:

"The value of the Community Learning Champions approach is that there is no one right way of doing it. By working within some basic values and principles, local projects can develop in ways that are right for their residents and build on the strengths of their Community Learning Champions."

"A common theme at our seminar was that sustainable change in communities has to be built from the bottom up and that Community Learning Champions can be a key factor in achieving this. Eleven of the participants not currently running Community Learning Champions schemes have committed to do so after the seminar and others went away with great ideas and enthusiasm."