Phew! It’s nearly the end of another jam-packed year for us.
So far this year, we’ve welcomed Brian Henry as our new Head of Service, won awards for our Careers Advisors and Let’s Talk Racism project at council events, had 3 wins at the Manchester Adult Education and Skills Plan Awards, and launched a whole range of new courses…
This issue has features on our upcoming MAESFest festival in Moss Side, a successful Community Interpreting learner, a staff member retiring after 30 years of service, and information on a brilliant mental health charity.
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First ever MAESFest!!!
We are delighted to announce the first ever MAESFest! This will be a community celebration of adult learning and a wonderful opportunity to mark the 30th anniversary of Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES).
On Saturday 16th July we will be live at our Greenheys Adult Learning Centre (M14 4HZ) from 11am to 6pm to bring you a range of free activities for families and adults. Learners, staff and members of the community are invited to come along to the free festival day packed with multicultural, inclusive entertainment for all the family.
The day will include: Reform Radio’s DJs and local music performers; bhangra dancers and dhol drummers; nature sessions with Thrive and Growing Manchester; circus skills workshops from The Circus House; African drumming with Creative Hands Foundation; stilt walkers, face painters and a henna artist; wellbeing workshops from The Proper Job Theatre Company; and course information and guidance from MAES staff. Street food will be available to buy from a range of vendors, including local heroes Wrays and sweet treats from Cupcakes of Kindness. We can't wait to see you all there!
For more information email daniel.shercliff@manchester.gov.uk
Community Interpreting success
Ioan Lacatus studied Community Interpreting with us and felt hugely supported by our staff. He wanted to share his experiences with other potential learners:
“I am a single father living in Salford and I completed Level 1 and 2 in Community Interpreting. I chose these courses because I wanted a career change. At the beginning of the pandemic, I realised that my job as a waiter wasn’t the most reliable of jobs and I wouldn’t be able to perform this role forever.
On the course, I learnt the importance of accurate interpreting, the code of ethics by which any interpreter should abide, various types of interpreting in different settings and it helped me with my use of tenses and vocabulary.
I would recommend this course to anyone who speaks a second language! It is a great skill that can help so many people. It helps single parents who can’t keep a full time job because as an interpreter you can choose the times you want to work.
I am very grateful to my tutors for the amazing support I had throughout my studies with them! Although it was an online class, I couldn’t fault it in any way. Thank you so much for the opportunity to study these courses.”
You’re very welcome, Ioan. Best of luck in your future career!
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Ending on a high for Jagtar
After 30 years of service for Manchester City Council, Digital Skills teacher Jagtar is retiring this summer. Here he tells us how it all began…
“I started my career with MAES purely accidently. I was self-employed and working with the NHS to make a short video on mental health issues. Hulme Centre at that time had a video-making course which I joined. I could not master the art of making a video, but it brought me in touch with MAES and what wonderful courses we had. (I employed the tutors on my video-making course to shoot the video for me!).
I went again to Hulme Centre, this time to learn Desktop Publishing. The course was delayed for two weeks because the software had not arrived. In the third week the computers were stolen and the course never started, and so I decided to train myself. A few years later, when the course did run, I returned as one of the tutors.
I started my career teaching English Literature in a college in India, and in England I have taught maths, ESOL and digital skills. During the past 26 years, I have taught at many different centres and on many different courses (CLAIT, ECDL and most recently Essential Digital Skills) - I truly love teaching!
Looking back, I am reminded of many learners who started as beginners and went on to achieve degrees and gainful employment. The most embarrassing moments are when I bump into an old student and I cannot recollect their name!
I will be retiring at the end of August and will take with me cherished memories of working with wonderful colleagues in MAES whom I wish to thank for their ongoing support. I will also have the satisfaction of having helped many learners on their journey to learn computers.
Alongside teaching, I have been involved in doing voluntary work with Indian Association, GM Community Faith Leaders and Manchester Mega Mela. I plan to continue to occupy myself by carrying on with my voluntary activities.
Goodbye my learners and colleagues. You will certainly stay in my memories.”
Thank you for 30 years of dedicated service to adult education in Manchester, Jagtar! You will stay in our memories too.
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Men’s mental health charity visits MAES
The charity Mentell joined our Health & Social Care and Mental Health learners last week to raise awareness of their fantastic organisation. Mentell provides free circles for men aged 18+ to talk, or just listen, in a safe and confidential space. The idea of the circle was inspired by how men used to sit around a campfire and share stories with one another, build community and solve problems. This is a tradition which isn’t common in today’s world and the opportunity for open conversation in this way is rare.
All sessions (online and offline) are guided by 7 key principles: safety, confidentiality, respect, free of judgement, free of commitment, free of advice, freedom to share or listen. Every circle is hosted by a lead facilitator who will explain the 7 principles and offer suggestions on how you can make the most out of the circle.
There are opportunities to volunteer as a circle facilitator to support others or gain some rewarding experience in this sector. Our learners particularly enjoyed listening to the facilitators’ personal experiences and how they had overcome difficulties.
It is worthwhile taking the time to visit Mentell’s website or follow them on social media. You never know when you may encounter someone struggling and this could be a valuable source of support.
A big thanks to Kelly Ferguson, Health and Social Care Lecturer, for organising this wonderful visit!
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