Never too late to learn

YOU'RE never too old to learn. That's certainly the message being sent out across Hampshire.

Homes across the county are being hit by mail-shots from various colleges and adult learning centres detailing their programmes from this September.

And it all comes on the back of a recent Adult Learners' Week held in the area when hundreds of classroom-shy men and women have been tempted to return to lessons.

It was the second time adult education centres, colleges and higher education establishments across Southampton, the New Forest and Eastleigh had got together to show the public exactly what they have to offer.

Throughout the week dozens of taster sessions were organised covering topics such as yoga, t'ai chi, fabric painting, cooking and Bollywood dancing at different venues across the region.

The Partnership4Learning organisation oversaw the event held at a variety of different venues, including Shirley Adult Education Centre, Millbrook Community School and Southampton City College, designed to show just how many learning opportunities there are.

Partnership4Learning manager Geoff Bateman is keen to point out that it's never too late to brush up on a new skill, train for a second career or take up a new hobby.

"We want to encourage more older learners back into learning.

"They can have taster sessions or take part in drop-in sessions of courses for one or two hours," he said.

Some of the major obstacles in attracting older learners to return is bad personal memories of school, a lack of confidence and low self-esteem.

"People might think that they are not clever enough after their experiences at home and college. They maybe very self-deprecating about their abilities," said Mr Bateman.

"We want to overcome that by making our adult education learning courses fun and welcoming."

In total, about 30 schools and colleges from around the region have joined together to compile a comprehensive booklet of what is available. It is due to be published later this year.

"Often colleges are competing against each other for students so it's excellent that everyone is working together so well," said Mr Bateman.

"By adopting a unified approach, we are able to show local residents just how many opportunities there are to learn across the city and the local area."

Southampton University and Southampton Institute are also backing the drive to get more adults back into the classroom.

Mr Bateman has witnessed first-hand the benefits that returning to learning can bring for men and women from all walks of life and of all abilities.

"They get a new sense of worth back. They take part in things they thought they could not do and get a real sense of moving on.

"For example, a cookery course might also improve a student's literacy skills by giving them experience in writing a menu and numeracy skills through weighing out the ingredients. In language courses, too, just the knowledge of how to say "Hello", "Thank you" and "How are you?" can improve someone's confidence."

Partnership4Learning is part of a national organisation designed to promote and enhance learning in order to increase the

economic prosperity of Southampton and south-west Hampshire.

It works together with the Learning and Skills Council, which funds and plans education for over-16s in further education colleges.

CASE STUDY ONE: A NEW HOBBY

RETIRED Teresa Shotter, 53, took part in a calligraphy taster session after admitting she had always wanted to try the writing skill.

She saw the course advertised in the Daily Echo and decided to take the plunge.

She said: "A taster session is a much better way of sampling a specific course.

"It is much easier to walk away from a taster session if you find that the course isn't right for you.

"Saying that though, I have really enjoyed the taster class today and have signed up to complete the course.

"I practised some italic writing and decorated what I had done using pastels and muslin.

"I didn't think that I would get this much done in one class.

"I am also sampling the patchwork and quilting taster course during Adult Learners' Week."

CASE STUDY TWO: THE FIRST JOB

WHEN Teresa Fitzgerald left school she had no qualifications and no job.

Despite a busy home life, the Southampton mother of two wanted to do something different.

After taking up the learning challenge she is now receiving her first wage packet.

With both her two children - Mark, now aged nine, and Katie, now aged eight - settled at Shirley Warren Nursery and Primary School, she became involved with a number of projects through the school.

First she took part in the Share project, a national scheme which aims to help parents to improve their own essential skills while also becoming involved with their children's learning and skill development.

She then went on to learn more about cooking for the family, baking with her children after school, and storystacks, where stories are acted out using different props.

All these activities helped Teresa to increase her confidence and she started to help out as a volunteer reading to pupils.

Now her hard work and determination have paid off as she has started her first job as a dinner lady.

"I am thrilled with the job.

I now work five days a week. It is wonderful to have my first proper job.

"By taking part in all of these different projects I have gained more confidence and have developed my basic skills.

"My children love having me coming into the school and my general development has helped their progress as well.

"I have also made new friends and whereas I used to be quiet and shy, I am now quite chatty."

CASE STUDY THREE: A SECOND CAREER

RETIRED policeman Ray Churchley was too young to retire permanently.

With his children off at university and starting new jobs, the 50-year-old thought he would start another career.

He came to Southampton Institute to study law last year with a view to becoming a teacher in law or a solicitor.

Before starting his LLB course, Ray joined the Institute's Gateway course for its adult returners.

He has never looked back and says the course helped give him a gentle introduction back into education before the degree started.

"Having not studied at this level before, Gateway was a good springboard into the course.

"It gave me the confidence I needed to start," he said.

SELECTION OF COLLEGES WITH ADULT EDUCATION COURSES:

Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh: 023 8036 7225

Southampton City College, Southampton: 023 8048 4848

Shirley Adult Education Centre, Southampton: 023 8048 4848

Woodlands Community School, Southampton: 023 8047 4866

University of Southampton New College Campus: 0800 085 6361

Southampton Institute: 023 8031 9035

Partnership4Learning website: http://www.p4l.org