(In the interests of the environment, and saving public money, we are continuing to use our old stock of posters. Because of this you may find that some of the posters carry the old ELWa logo. Please use the stickers to replace the logo.) Nationwide campaign of supplements
Once again we are reaching the homes of hundreds of thousands of people with our nationwide campaign of supplements. The supplements will have a readership of over 1,200,000 and strike home our message that learning can really make a difference to their lives. These supplements will include real-life learning stories, information on courses, and enrolment events and give us yet another opportunity for learners to SUS OUT their options. You can download a schedule detailing the supplements appearing in your area. Back to top
Tutor and Mentor Inspire Awards Have we had your nomination yet? Do you know a tutor or mentor who is special? Do you know of an unsung hero who deserves recognition for their commitment and hard work? It's time to show your admiration! The Tutor and Mentor Inspire Awards are a fantastic opportunity to reward and recognise those whose dedication to teaching has been inspirational. We are calling for nominations from either tutors who want to demonstrate their admiration for a fellow tutor, or from students who wish to show their gratitude for the support, help and advice they have received. A chance for your colleague to get the recognition they deserve
It really is very simple to nominate someone, but just think of the pleasure and the pride it will bring to the person you nominate if they win! Certificate for all those nominated!
Even if they are not selected for an Award they will receive a certificate in recognition of their achievements, which means everyone nominated will be rewarded. What are the qualities we're looking for?
We'll be looking for mentors and tutors who are 'outstanding' in their field and give 'over and above' what is expected of them. Do you know a Tutor or Mentor who: - Has made a special contribution to curriculum, materials development or teaching.
- Is active in more than one learning situation.
- Has overcome difficult personal circumstances or is working in particularly challenging circumstances.
- Has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to learners.
- Has inspired learners to progress onto other courses or opportunities to learn.
- Has developed innovative ways of supporting learners online.
- Has succeeded in creating a successful online learning community.
Award Winners treated to a glitzy ceremony
Each year we stage a high profile ceremony befitting these national awards. It's always a very special occasion and gives us a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the tremendous achievements of our award winners. The ceremony is always hosted by a popular Welsh personality, staged at a top Welsh venue and attended by the award winners, their nominators and leading Welsh dignitaries.  Jane Davidson, Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills joins the 2005 Tutor and Mentor award winners at the awards ceremony in NEWI, Wrexham.
This year's ceremony will be held in the Coal Exchange, Cardiff Bay on 11 December, so put it in your diary now! Get your nomination form now
Making a nomination couldn't be easier - You can download a PDF version directly from the new Sign Up Season website at www.sunow.org, by emailing Steve Johnson in the Campaigns team on steve@niacedc.org.uk or by calling him on 029 2037 0900 CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES 15 SEPTEMBER Back to top
Record breaking Adult Learners' Week
Evaluation reveals over 16,000 learners took part With most of the evaluation reports back in, we are pleased to announce that Adult Learners Week 2006 has proved to be the most successful yet. As of 2 August, 16,125 new learners have been reported as having taken part. This is a great result but with some evaluation reports still outstanding the figure could be even higher, so if you are still to return your Adult Learners' Week Evaluation report, then please do get it back to us as soon as you can. What we need from you - The participants' Consent Forms that were collected at your Adult Learners' Week events (either ours or ones that you have made yourself)
- A Providers Evaluation Form filled in with all your event information.
The relevant documents can be found on our website. Learning Promotion Grant winners must do this as part of the conditions of their grant award. It is not compulsory for anybody else to send an Evaluation Report, but it is essential that we build a true and complete picture of events right across Wales. We can only do this with you help. Evaluation wins Bro Dysg Rhondda Cynon Taf £1,000 Learning Promotion Grant
We are pleased to announce that as the provider who sent us the most Consent Form Cheques by the deadline of 30th June, Bro Dysg and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council have won the Adult Learners' Week prize of a guaranteed £1,000 Learning Promotion Grant. The grant is to be used during the forthcoming 'Sign Up Season' Campaign this August and September. As you can see it really is worth your while to get those Consent Forms back to us ASAP, something to keep in mind whilst planning plan your Sign up Season event. Back to top
Adult Learners' Week in North Wales  Coleg Harlech WEA staged a fantastic open event, with drop in sessions all over the college campus; visitors were given a timetable and a map and encouraged to pop into as many sessions as they liked. The highlight was the setting of a new world record by ceramics tutor Geoff Bond, who entered the Guiness Book of World Records by throwing 202 pots in one hour.
 Denbighshire Community College organised a Learning Market in Denbigh Market Hall. The "stalls" were mixed in with regular market traders so they attracted a lot of shoppers and passers by as well as those who had come specifically for the event. There were some great hands on activities, including students from the Health & Beauty courses who did a roaring trade all day in nail art and hair braiding, plus Coleg Llysfasi's famous cow milking simulator!
 Meanwhile in Machynlleth, the North Powys Learning Festival gave local residents the chance to try their feet (as well as their hands) at something new, with reflexology taster sessions.
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Quick Reads - Get hooked on books! Quick Reads is the biggest industry-wide book publishing and bookselling initiative for adults ever undertaken in the UK. An innovative series of short and accessible fiction and non-fiction, Quick Reads are aimed at the 12 million adults across the UK who are not confident readers or who struggle to finish a book. The Quick Reads initiative aims to turn 12 million reluctant readers into 12 million addicted readers. - Short, fast-paced books by best selling authors
- 14 titles launched on World Book Day, 2 March 2006, including two in Welsh
- A further 14 titles launched in May, including two Welsh language titles
- Adventure, crime, women's fiction, fantasy, humour, self-help, football
- Suitable for emergent readers, but with the quality and depth to appeal to avid readers and fans of the authors
- RRP £2.99 - £1-off book vouchers widely distributed
- Backed by a major marketing and publicity campaign
- Authors include: Patrick Augustus, Maeve Binchy, Richard Branson, John Bird, Ruth Rendell, Joanna Trollope and many more.
 To download your FREE token visit www.basic-skills-wales.org
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The Wales Learners' Network The Wales Learners' Network is growing at a very fast rate with over 100 learners now members of the new Network. All areas of Wales are represented, but we always need more support in developing an active core of learners who can act as advocates for other learners and potential learners. Joining the Learners' Network is FREE - all we ask is the active interest and support of the learner. We will keep their address and details on a database, so that we can contact them about events happening in their area, and about any advice we need to help us represent the interests of the learner more effectively If you know of someone who would like to join the Network, please contact John Hill on 029 2037 0900. Alternatively you can request a form, along with a pre-paid envelope to return it, by emailing john.hill@niacedc.org.uk. Back to top
New Round of Home Office Grants Announced The National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which sits within the Home Office, has announced that the latest round of funding to support projects working with offenders and their families has opened to applications. Am I eligible to apply?
The funding is available to organisations to carry out projects that will support the aims and objectives of NOMS. Applications can be made from voluntary or community groups which are either a registered charity or some other form of not-for-profit organisation. How much money is available?
The grants are equivalent to a total of £500,000 a year. Applicants are expected to obtain match funding of fifty per cent of the total project costs from other sources. When do applications have to be in by?
The deadline for outline applications is 15 September 2006 and funds will be available from April 2007. Back to top
Microsoft Community Learning Awards
Nominations now open! Do you represent a community group or charity that wants to actively help disadvantaged groups develop their IT skills? Could your organisation benefit from a £2,500 grant and software to be put towards an IT project? Citizens Online and Microsoft are joining forces for a fourth year to bring you The Microsoft Community Learning Awards (MCLA), recognising communities and charities that promote IT skills and access to those that might not have the same chances as others. This year they are making grants of £2,500 plus essential IT software to the 30 winning entrants. Who is eligible?
The awards are available to all community groups and registered charities throughout the UK that are seeking funding for IT skills projects for disadvantaged young people and adults in their area. This is your opportunity to tell us how your community group would benefit from the grant and how it could help your community - with only 30 grants available and 400 expected entries, the more innovative your project, the better likelihood you have of winning an award! Last year's winners on the road to success
Last year's winners spanned a broad range of charitable groups who are all using MCLA support to improve life for those in their local community: - Young parents moving on up in Bristol
Hartcliffe & Withywood Teenage Parents Project, a project aimed to advance the education and training of young parents to provide for their personal, social and educational development in Bristol
- A guiding hand for the visually impaired in Norfolk
The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB), an association in Norfolk which provides care, accommodation and recreational facilities to over 17,000 people with poor sight in the local area
How to apply:
Eligible groups can download an application form from the awards website which will involve providing details about their organisation and the proposed project. The deadline for applications is 27 September and winners will be notified in mid-November. Back to top
Good news for community and voluntary groups
Social Risk Fund changes mean more chances for funding Exciting changes to the Social Risk Fund will mean that more small community and voluntary groups and projects will be eligible for grants of up to £10,000. The scheme, which is managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and European Social Fund, has so far distributed over £3.6m to over 400 projects with a further 200 still to support before March 2007. It has contributed to the regeneration of communities by supporting people in developing their skills and confidence, widening participation in lifelong learning initiatives and providing pathways towards employment for disadvantaged groups. The following changes have recently been made to the scheme's criteria: - The closing date for applications is now March 2007
- Organisations in Objective One areas are eligible for up to 3 Social Risk projects
- Organisations in Objective Three areas are eligible for up to 2 Social Risk projects
- Organisations applying for funds must have an income of less than £150,000 (previously £100,000)
- The age limit of beneficiaries for projects in Objective One areas has been dropped to include disaffected young people between the ages of 14-16.
Social Risk Advisors can be contacted to help develop project ideas, assist with filling in the application form and offer support with monitoring and record keeping. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and we aim to give you a decision within 30 working days from receiving your application. If you have any questions about your eligibility as a result of the latest news or would like any further information then please feel free to contact the team on 02920 431700 or socialrisk@wcva.org.uk. Back to top
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Adult Learners’ Week, Sign Up Season and Taking Control are funded by The European Social Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government, and co-ordinated by NIACE Dysgu Cymru.
NIACE Dysgu Cymru is a membership organisation, run by an elected management group, representing all sectors bonded by a common focus on adult learners. A wide range of work is undertaken; advocacy, research and development, influencing policy, conferences, publications and staff development. For further information, visit our website. |