From September 2024 the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) replaces the Adult Education Budget for all post 19 courses funded through the Community Education Fund.

The ASF includes a new Tailored Learning funding stream to support non-accredited learning programmes. Tailored Learning replaces the community learning stream that supported Personal and Community Development (PCDL), Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) and Family Learning (WFL or FEML).

Any questions contact us by email: aclteam@westberks.gov.uk

The VICI Language Academy, in partnership with West Berkshire Council, is offering FREE English courses tailored for Afghan families in West Berkshire.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this programme, please contact Jo Allen at jallen@thevici.com or 01635 44424

Let’s help build connections and open doors together.

Parenting Special Children (PSC) was founded in 2006. The charity was set up to help other parents/carers navigate the world of SEND.

Since then, PSC has grown steadily from one person to a team of over 40 with a wide range of specialist knowledge and lived experience who offer a variety of services to over 2500 families.

For over 10 years, PSC has been working with the community learning team to deliver courses to parents and carers of children with special needs. The programmes are delivered in partnership with local schools and family hubs in community venues across the district.

Feedback from a learner: "I can't begin to thank you for your incredible knowledge and warm approach delivering the ADHD programme.  I personally found every session captivating and so informative.  You and Charlie both have a wonderful way of sharing your own experiences along with practical support that can be implemented immediately. "

For more information click here 

Celebrating the Hong Kong Resettlement Programme

A celebratory buffet was organised by Educafe’s Hong Kong learners to say thank you to everyone involved in the resettlement initiative.

The 17-week programme included English language support, Q&A sessions with local community organisations and tours of the local area. The cohort made a delicious buffet and a celebration cake and expressed their gratitude for the welcome they have received in West Berkshire. Educafe looks forward to sharing the formal outcomes of this programme in due course.  

Educafe is delighted to be working in partnership with Newbury College to bring the English for Specific Purposes programme that includes a Job Support Club and English for Work course. In the New Year the programme will be extended to include English for Business Communication and English for Living in the Community. For more information visit the Newbury College website .

Educafe is also offering a drop-in Money Saving Service at the weekly community café, Newbury Library on Wednesdays mornings. Funded by Multiply, the Money Saving Service will be available until mid-December.  Free to download is our Money Saving Service Signposting pdf.

Click here for a  full round up of Educafe news.

Berkshire School of English's courses bring the English language to life through motivating, up-to-date, weekly, topic-based lessons.

They are currently offering Intermediate and Advanced online English/ESOL courses – daytime and evenings. Sessions are delivered ‘live’ online or face- to-face by fully qualified English language teachers.

Learners develop and improve their reading, writing, speaking, listening and essential grammar skills. These can immediately and confidently be used in everyday, real-life situations.

Click here for more information. 

Recovery in Mind has had a busy start to the new academic year with a packed programme aimed to support adults to manage their mental health.

Initiatives have included nature walks, a fireside event to celebrate World Mental Health Day, preparing for an art exhibition, a singing group led by the enthusiastic Jamie from Berkshire Music Trust,  mindful sewing workshops, poetry and reading sessions and a seasonal creativity and wreath making workshop based in a beautiful barn within the West Berkshire countryside.

At the core of Recovery In Mind’s service portfolio is the ‘Welcome to Recovery’ foundation course which is a 5-week education based programme, led by both professionals and mentors with lived experience, that explores a range of strategies to manage mental health challenges

Embracing Recovery, developing community and making real connections.  

Click here for more information. 

The NCRC incorporates the Community Furniture Project, the Renewal Project and the Growing2gether Horticulture Project which is based at Cottismore, near Kingsclere.

In the 2023-24 academic year, NCRC clients and volunteers completed a range of accredited and non-accredited training courses in a range of areas: woodwork, cycle repair, customer service and gardening. In total around 40 learners enrolled on the programme with the majority progressing on to gain a qualification at Entry and Level 1.

For more information about NCRC, click here

At least one in 14, or over 7%, of adults across the UK cannot read or have very poor reading ability. 

There are a multitude of reasons why some reach adulthood without being able to read but in every case the impact on individuals and their families cannot be underestimated. 

Read Easy West Berkshire work to tackle this issue by offering free reading courses to adults aged 18plus.  The courses are confidential and delivered on a 1-1 basis by dedicated and trained Reading Coaches; all coaching takes place in a private space within a public place.

Read Easy West Berkshire’s Team Leader Mark Ingvorsen explains, “There are lots of different reasons why people don’t learn to read in childhood or at school.  For some it may have been a lack of support from their own family or school, for others it may have been undiagnosed dyslexia.  But people should not feel ashamed or embarrassed about it.  We are friendly, welcoming, and here to help them.”

Stephen (pictured above) recently successfully completed the Read Easy course. His reading challenges at school were due to dyslexia which he was reluctant to talk about. Stephen now encourages other people to come forward to get help and not be embarrassed about their situation.

Stephen adds “I learnt more in 12 months with Read Easy than I did the whole time at school". 

Click here for more information. 

Graft delivers a range of services and training to eradicate barriers for adults accessing employment across the region.

Clare Hepburn has joined the Graft team as a Beneficiary Services Co-ordinator, overseeing the support programmes and leading on the new work experience programme – Bridging Horizons.  

Clare brings with her a wealth of experience in both training and business, having previously supported the redeployment of over 200 individuals. Her expertise in helping people successfully transition into new fields of work has had a lasting impact, and the GRAFT team are thrilled to have her onboard.  

In addition to her leadership role, Clare runs her own business, where she provides tailored training solutions for charities with a focus on employability and one-to-one support.

As a practising massage and wellbeing therapist, Clare is committed to fostering both mental and physical wellbeing, which she believes are integral to a successful job search and career development. Her deep understanding of the challenges that many individuals face when seeking employment, particularly those with additional learning needs, informs her compassionate, holistic approach to support.  

If you would like to host a work experience placement, or would like to talk to Clare about any of GRAFT’s services, please contact her direct at clare@graft.org.uk or telephone 07395 457746

Click here for more information about GRAFT

                                                                                                                             Clare Hepburn

Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) is an independent charity with 50 years of experience in community development work, originally founded in 1973 as a Rural Community Council.

Supported by the community learning team, CCB deliver a range of short workshops that focus on supporting West Berkshire local communities.

This Autumn they kicked off the academic year with two online training workshops providing training, advice and useful information to practitioners & volunteers about saving money on utility bills and dealing with utility debt. The people who attended either work or volunteer with low-income and vulnerable individuals, including families, those with long-term health conditions, and the elderly across West Berkshire.

Learners left the course being better able to advise and support their clients to save money on their energy and water bills and tackle utility debt.

Over 40 individuals attended the sessions and when questioned on the evaluation they said that they could share their new knowledge and resources with over 911 families from across the region!

Learners said:

“I speak to clients on a variety of issues, but I am now well equipped to advise those on a low income about how to reduce their utility bills too.”

“This session provided me with the most up to date information on ways to save money and support those with financial difficulties.”

“Excellent clear information which I will share with all our client facing volunteers at The Foodbank.”

If your organisation helps low income families in West Berkshire, and you want further information regarding CCB’s Energy Advice project, contact Helen.Dean@ccberks.org.uk or visit www.ccberks.org.uk.

West Berkshire Family Hubs deliver a wide range of adult and family learning courses across the district.

One of the courses is PEEP which offers parents the opportunity to support their child’s development by making the most of play and learning from everyday events. 

The programme helps parents to improve life chances, narrow the attainment gap and build parent child relationships. It recognises what parents already do and maximises their potential, sharing ideas and simple low-cost activities to support a child’s learning such as singing, talking, making friends, sharing books and playing together

Parents say: The course has helped to increase my confidence by re-enforcing many of the things that we have already put in place but also providing additional ideas and space to think"

Form more information about the Family Hubs, click here

Newbury College provides a wide range of accredited and nob-accredited courses for adults wanting to up-skill, re-train or access employment across the district.

A key part of any further learning and training is good maths, English and IT skills. The College delivers GCSEs in English and Maths, Functional Skill L2 Maths and Functional Skill L1 Maths. There are still spaces remaining on FS L1 Maths evening class with enrolments open to December. 

An increased digital offer with Essential Digital Skills Entry Level 3 is also available from January onwards.

The College is partnering with  Educafe to deliver targeted ESOL programmes, see Educafe article above or click on the following link:  Newbury College and Educafe collaborate to extend learning opportunities for the community

For further information, please contact: adults@newbury-college.ac.uk 

The Corn Exchange offers a wide variety of participatory sessions for both adults and families as part of their Learning and Participation programme. Whether you are looking for social connection, to learn something new, or to enjoy some creative family time, do take a look at what is on offer.

Their Art for Health and Wellbeing programme of courses and classes works to support mental health and wellbeing. Their offerings include:

• Create a Space (confidence and life skill building sessions for young adults not in education, training or employment) for ages 16-25.
• Singing for Recovery (relaxed group singing sessions led by a professional singer to support recovery and connection) for adults of all ages.

They also offer a range of courses and classes for Adults of all ages, including some specifically for over 55s as part of their Ageing Creatively programme. They have everything from dance and art, to fitness, drama, and cinema!

Some of their offerings for families include Post-Natal Pilates, Messy Stories, Tots Create, My First Notes, and much more!

For more information, please visit their website www.cornexchangenew.com or email getinvolved@cornexchangenew.co.uk.

Link-Up, part of West Berkshire Mencap, delivers a range of employability education and support services to adults with learning difficulties.

Earlier this term it held its first Artisan Craft Sale which proved very successful and will hopefully be repeated in 2025. The festive flavour continued on 30 November when their Christmas products were on sale at the National Animal Welfare Trust Christmas Market at Park House School and also at the Shaw House Christmas sale on the 1 December.

For more information about Link Up, click here

The Community Learning Partnership brings together West Berkshire based learning providers and community organisations to provide a high quality, accessible, safe and varied community learning programmes for adults and families across the district.

Members include adult and family learning providers, local apprenticeship and training organisations, funding bodies and local communities groups and services. The Community Learning Partnership is open to any organisation involved in the delivery of post 19 education and training within West Berkshire.

If you would like to become a member please complete the online registration form.

The next Partnership meeting will take place on Tuesday 25 March 2025  at Shaw House.