Bite-size sessions offer adult learners a fresh start

Take spring with a swing, try something new and make a change for the better. North Yorkshire County Council is offering free bite size learning opportunities in celebration of the 20th Adult Learners’ Week which runs between 14-20 May.

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest and longest running learning campaign, and inspires thousands of people each May to try something new whether for fun or to learn a new skill or gain a qualification.

It also celebrates the achievements of adults who have transformed their lives through learning like North Yorkshire resident Matthew Jones, a regional Adult Learners Week award winner. An HGV driver for 10 years Matthew decided to branch out and registered on a FreshStart programme at his local area office. Taking maths, English and science GCSEs was just the start and Matthew is now going on to study for a degree in creative writing after completing an access to higher education course.

The county council’s adult learning and skills service is therefore offering people the chance to dip into learning for free with a range of bite-size taster sessions.

Adults of all ages and abilities can get involved in Adult Learner’s Week by calling their local area office to find out more about the learning opportunities on offer.

County councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for the Adult Learning Service said: “The global economy is fast changing and we are all required to be life-long, flexible learners, constantly adapting to changing work conditions and lifestyles. North Yorkshire’s adult learning service is therefore offering the county’s residents the chance to try things out and make a new start.”

Free, bite size learning sessions on offer are as follows:

Craven

Job Search with computers, Monday 23rd May, 9:30 to 3:00, Greatwood Community Centre

Job Search with computers, Wednesday 25th May, 9:30 to 3:00, Looking Well, Bentham

Both events are being held in partnership with Yorkshire Housing and are supported by their community development team for Craven.

For further information and to book a place telephone 0845 300 2414

Hambleton

Drop in session – Internet searching for beginners, 11.00 – 13.00

Introduction to crystals, 10.00 – 10.45,

Indian head massage taster, 11.00 – 11.45

Introduction to hand reflexology, 12.00 – 12.45

These activities will take place on the 18th May and will be held at Northallerton library.

For further information and to book a place telephone 01609 533900

Harrogate

Confidence building – making the most of who you are, Monday 16th May, 13.00 to 15.00, Harrogate Library

CV writing (using computers), Wednesday 18th May, 10.00 to 12.00 or 9.30 to 11.30, Harrogate Library

Confidence building, making the most of who you are, Tuesday 17th May, 9.30 to 11.30, Community House, Ripon

Communication skills, for people with complex needs, Tuesday 17th May, 13:00-15:00, Ripon leisure centre

Learning to relax, for people with complex needs, Thursday 19th May, 10:30-12:30, Paperworks Harrogate

Confidence building/job search, Tuesday 17th May, 9:30-11:30, Community House, Ripon

CV writing/jobsearch with computers, Tuesday 17th May, 13:00-15:00, Community House, Ripon

Fun with words and numbers in Knaresborough

How well do you know your own language, 17th May, 10.00 – 12.00 Harrogate

Introduction to bookkeeping and accounts in Nidderdale

Online and Free – looking at websites to support entrepreneurial / business start ups etc. – touching on marketing, web, networking, use of social media for business growth, in Nidderdale

For further information and to book a place telephone 0845 300 2412

Richmondshire

Art workshops, watercolours, Wednesday 18th May, 13.00 -15.00 Easby village (this will be an outside session in good weather)

Make greeting cards, Monday 16th May, 13.00 – 15.00, Middleham Key Centre

Learn a basic waltz, Thursday 19th May, 18.30 – 20.00, Leyburn Primary School

Learn to Jive,Thursday 12th May, 18:30 – 20:00. Leyburn Primary School

For further information and to book a place telephone 0845 873 6585

Ryedale

The adult learning and skills service and Ryedale Folk Museum have come together to offer a wide variety of courses for the week held in the beautiful setting of the museum in Hutton-Le-Hole.

Crazy patchwork (2hrs)

Make your own proddy heart (2 hrs)

Blog training (3 hrs)

Take better pictures with the Kirkbymoorside camera club (2 hrs)

Somatic movement workshop (2 hrs)

Creative embroidery skills from the past to the present (2 hrs)

Victorian vegetable gardening and cooking (2 hrs)

Mangle print making (2 hrs)

Felt making (3 hrs)

Buildings and landscapes in acrylics (2 hrs)

An introduction to blacksmithing (2.5 hrs)

These activities will take place between the 16th and 20th May. Places will need to be booked; courses are free upon entry to the museum. Museum admission fees are £5.50 for an adult and £5 for concessions.

For further information and to book a place telephone 0845 300 6681

Scarborough

Get online with the BBC first click (an introduction to the internet), Thursday 19th May, 10.00 – 12.00

Business admin, a fun bite size introduction., Thursday 19th May, 10.00 – 12.00

Childcare, look at opportunities for you in this line of work, Thursday 19th May, 10.00 – 12.00

Access to higher education, find out how you can get that University place, Thursday 19th May, 12.00 – 14.00

Art and craft sessions, learn the art of watercolour and develop your sewing skills to make delightful crafts, Thursday 19th May, 14.00 – 16.00

Interview skills customer service, improve your skills and gain a qualification, Thursday 19th May, 14.00 – 16.00

All Scarborough courses will run from the 14-20 May at Talbot House, Queens Street.

Whitby

Look the part: speak the part, essential skills for presenting yourself and communicating effectively , Monday 16th May, 12.00 – 14.00

Look the part: speak the part, essential skills for presenting yourself and communicating effectively , Monday 16th May, 18.30 – 20.30 (this session will be held at Whitby College)

Polish up your proof reading skills, for a range of situations: work, study or personal development, Tuesday 17th May, 12.00 – 14.00

Interview skills, get that job, learn how to sell your skills at interview, Wednesday 18th May, 09.30 – 15.00

Introduction to Picasa, view, edit and organise photos on your computer, Thursday 19th May, 13.30 – 15.30

All Whitby courses will run from the 14-20 May at the Coliseum.

An informal information event will also take place at the Coliseum in Whitby on Wednesday 18th May.

For further information or to book a place call Scarborough 0845 034 9579 or Whitby 0845 3006680

Selby

City and Guilds literacy and numeracy assessment, Tuesday 17th May, 10:00-12:00, Selby library

Get online with the BBC first click (an introduction to the internet), Tuesday 17th May, 13:00-16:00, Selby library

Introduction to sewing, Tuesday 17th May, 17:30-19:00, Selby high school

Painting taster session, Wednesday 18th May, 10:00-12:00, Scott Road community centre

For further information and to book a place telephone 0845 300 6686