Linking The European Family – I, You, We
Aims and Objectives
The project aim was ‘”To provide adults in disadvantaged communities with the opportunity to work with their children and with educators to improve their contribution to the enhancement of their children’s/students school success”.
Activities and lessons learned
Family groups (including children aged 7-14 years) participated in workshops where they produced materials about themselves, their lives and their cultures and traditions. Materials were swapped with partners and families from other countries to develop a greater understanding about family life and the culture of families abroad.
A wide variety of media were used to share experiences; for example, IT, film,video, digital photography andcrafts. Themed sessions were held to introduce the cultures of partner countries, and trips to local cultural and historical venues were made to develop more awareness of our own culture.
In addition a small number of adult learners accompanied staff to the transnational meetings.
Achievements
As a result of the project adults gained a greater understanding of their children’s learning processes, and adults, children and staff increased in self-esteem. This was especially evident amongst the children who were well prepared and confident to move to secondary school.
The project encouraged a greater understanding of the lives of other members of the European Union (EU) and less fear of the unknown. The group won the NIACE Dysgu Cymru Family Learning Award 2006.
Materials produced
The outcomes of the project have focused on individual development.
Partnership organisations/countries
Wales – Cardiff Council Community Learning Service
Romania – Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking Association of Romania
Spain – IES Laxeiro Secondary School
Italy – Florence Education Department
Northern Ireland – East Antrim College of Further and Higher Education
Impact
On the organisation
It has heightened the profile of the organisation bothlocally and nationally
(Wales).
On staff
Staff have gained in confidence through involvement with the project. All staff
have widened their knowledge and skills base, resulting in three staff members
being promoted and one returning to college to complete a post-16 teaching
certificate.
On adult learners
All adult learners gained in confidence. A number of learners enrolled on IT and
literacy, language and numeracy courses. One learner brought other family
members to a literacy, language and numeracy course. One has become Secretary of
the local residents’ group, and gave talks at a local school on the visit to
Romania.
Contact details
Name, organisation and address:
Ann Lock
Cardiff Council Schools and Lifelong Learning Service
Howardian Centre
Hammond Way
Cardiff CF23 9NB
Telephone no:02920 432709
Email:
alock@cardiff.gov.uk
Classification data
Project Focus
| Active citizenship | |
| Essential skills | |
| Inter-generational learning |
x |
| Cultural/multi-cultural | |
| ICT and learning | |
| Foreign languages | |
| Other* |
Project type: Grundtvig 2 (learning partnerships)
UK Project base
| East Midlands | |
| East of England | |
| London | |
| North East | |
| Northern Ireland |
x |
| North West | |
| Scotland | |
| South East | |
| South West | |
| Wales |
x |
| West Midlands | |
| Yorkshire and the Humber |
