 Contents
Launching our new campaign:Getting on famously
Taking Control 2007
The Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards 2006
Providers 'Take Control' with a Learning Promotion Grant
Prepare yourself for Adult Learners' Week 2007!
Global Learning Award 2007
Quick reads
Convergence Funding
Skills, Demography and the Welsh Economy conference
 GETTING ON FAMOUSLY
23,000 learners in 2006!
23,000 new learners started their learning journeys and many more received positive messages about learning and skills promoted by Taking Control in January, Adult Learners' Week in May and Sign Up Season in August. Our target for the year was to attract 21,000 learners in our 21st year.
 Getting on famously with our partners to make it happen
But none of this would have been possible without the funding from the Department of Education Lifelong Learning and Skills of the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Social Fund, along with the help of the 300 or so partner organisations throughout the country who are making connections and making these campaigns some of the most successful adult learning promotions in Wales.
 Getting on famously through learning
Most importantly the campaigns are supporting more people to take a first step back into learning - to gain new skills and transform their lives with the power of learning.
In 2007 the Campaigns aim to work with a growing partnership of learning providers to support even more adults to take up a learning challenge and to get the new skills that will help them get on famously in life!
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 Support Taking Control 2007
Help us get on famously with our campaign
The time for learners to 'Take Control' is once again upon us and as ever, we need your support in making this year's campaign a success. From December 19th - January 27th the Taking Control campaign will focus on getting people to realise that learning can help them get on famously. We are currently hunting down learners with famous names to star in our radio commercials, and we are putting the finishing touches to the media strategy. Watch this space for more information.
We are scouring Wales for learners with famous names - the Tom Jones, the Gareth Edwards, the Shirley Basseys! And we want them to star in our TV commercials and advertising campaigns. Do you know a Richard Burton or a Ryan Giggs? If you do, contact us now with their learning story and get on famously!
Planning an event?
If you are running or planning an event please do let us know as we are currently drawing up a Wales-wide list of short courses and taster sessions, in order to place them in our Newspaper Supplements as part of the campaign. If you would like your events to be included in our national and local promotion, free of charge, then send them by email to kate@niacedc.org.uk. You can also list the details on our Calendar of Events at www.tcontrol.org.
To give the publicity of your event that extra push, we have a great range of promotional materials available from our website: www.tcontrol.org. Here you will be able to use our interactive posters, giving you the opportunity to customise and print off our designs with your own course details. Alternatively you can order the posters required by emailing john.hill@niacedc.org.uk Each design is available in sizes A4, A3 and A2.
There are posters aimed at all ages of learners and covering such subjects as:
- How to take control of your finances after the spending excesses of Christmas
- How to feel healthier and happier through learning
- How to make the most of your free time, whatever your age
- How to get the skills to earn more
- How to get on at work and find a job you really enjoy
- How to make 2007 your year, the year you make it happen
Space for you to personalise each poster
We have designed each poster with a blank area for you to include your own call to action. The PDFs have been formatted to make it easy for you to type in your own marketing message, in order to promote an open day for example, or to encourage learners to contact you for advice and information.
How you use the posters is entirely up to you, but please do make sure you use them. They have been printed to help you make this Taking Control campaign a success for your organisation.
Order your posters
Posters are now available and can be ordered by calling the Campaigns team on 029 2037 0900 or by emailing john.hill@niacedc.org.uk
Or download PDFs
Alternatively, these posters are available right now for you to download, below.
So if you have an idea for an event or an activity then don't delay, get in touch and help learners Take Control in the New Year
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The Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards 2006
 This years Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards took place on December 11th at the newly opened Gartholwg Community Campus in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The event was hosted by ITV Wales' Arfon Haines Davies and once again celebrated the achievements of Adult Tutors and Mentors in Wales.
Rob Humphreys, Director of NIACE Dysgu Cymru said: “Just as we all remember teachers who inspired us in school, there are figures of inspiration who have an equally strong impact on adult learners. The Inspire Awards reward the great work being carried out every day in Wales that gives adults the support and encouragement to turn their lives around through learning.”
The Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Davidson AM said: “Tutors and Mentors play a vital role in enhancing the learning experience for learners across Wales. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to reward and recognise the important work they do in delivering our lifelong learning agenda and making Wales a Learning Country.”
The evening also saw the awarding of the inaugural Inspire Tutor and Mentor of the Year Award to Eunice Taylor, Community Based Learning Development Officer with the University of Wales, Newport. Rob Humphreys said "Eunice embodies the very best attributes of an inspiring tutor and mentor. She is compassionate, committed and totally focused on helping the most vulnerable members of society achieve their full potential. She is an ambassador for all inspiring tutors across the whole of Wales. Congratulations Eunice"
For more information on the winners, click on their name or picture below
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Providers 'Take Control' with a Learning Promotion Grant
The Learning Promotion Grant scheme has once again helped to support events and taster sessions during the Taking Control Campaign. Listed below are just a few of the activities we have funded:
Sporting and Exercise Taster Sessions
RCT People First will be holding free taster sessions in different sporting and exercise activities. The event takes place on 19th January, refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Green gym Taster Sessions
BTCV will be running a series of Green gym Taster Sessions in Cwm Talwg, Barry, an area of woodland and natural open space. The sessions will run over 4 days to encourage people to get involved in their local Green Gym, and to learn new skills through either formal or informal training. The event takes place between 16th - 19th January.
Healthy New Years Resolutions Roadshow
Cardiff & District/Dept. of Work & Pensions will be holding a Healthy New Years Resolutions Roadshow to make sure you stick to that promise of a healthy New Year. Information, talks and activities about good health will be backed up with other events including Indian Head Massage and Reflexology. The Roadshow will be available from 15th January - 19th February.
Healthy Learning Roadshow
The Pembrokeshire TULiP Project will be taking their Healthy Learning roadshows to Pembrokeshire County Council care homes around the county to raise awareness of training opportunities in Pembrokeshire. The main theme will be 'Learning and Health' and 'Work-based Learning. The Roadshow will begin in January.
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Prepare yourself for Adult Learners' Week 2007!
Adult Learners' Week, the UK's largest celebration of learning will take place in 2007 between 19th and 26th May. The goal is to once again raise the profile of learning and skills, provide access to information and guidance and motivate more adults to participate in learning.
Show your appreciation by nominating a learner!
Do you know an adult learner, family or community group whose achievements could inspire others? Celebrate your learners by nominating them for an Inspire Adult Learner Award.
We are looking for people who have changed their lives through learning. Ring now for your nomination form: 029 2037 0900 or go to our website www.alweek.org where you can also read about the achievements of previous award winners.
The closing date for entries is Friday 16 March 2007. ALL entries will receive a certificate of achievement.
Need help with funding?
Let a Learning Promotion Grant take the strain!
If you have thought of a great idea for an event or activity for Adult Learners' Week, but you need some help with funding - then take a look at our Learning Promotion Grants.
If your ideas fit in with the key themes or focus days we are promoting for 2007 and you are working in partnership with other providers or stakeholders then it is worth taking a look the grant scheme. You can apply for up to £1,000 towards your event.
The closing date for applications is 2nd March 2007. Ring now for an application form on 029 2037 0900 or go to our website www.alweek.org where you can download the same form.
Awards for All News…
Many organisers of local campaign events and learning festival events have been successfull in applying for Awards for All funds to support their event. Please note that some changes have been made to the criteria for the awards in 2007. The Big Lottery wishes to encourage small voluntary groups to access these funds - applications will not be accepted if they are led by local authorities, however local authorities can be part of a consortium, providing the lead applicant is a voluntary organisation.
Anyone hoping to get an Awards for All grant for activities for Adult Learners' Week - please note that turn around time is 3 months - so you will need to apply very soon. To download an application form visit the Awards for All website.
Focus on learning by finding a theme for your event
A number of themes are set for Adult Learners' Week 2007. If you are planning a local event you may like to use the themes to give a focus to your events. They are not intended to restrict your activities - so please use the campaign to suit your own priorities.
Themes
Learning and Health
Learning through art and cultures
Learning to Live Differently (environment, sustainability, globalisation)
Learning at and for Work (workforce development, economic inactivity, employability, vocational skills)
Skills for Life (basic skills, media literacy, financial literacy)
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
Focus Days:
Saturday 19 May: Cultural Diversity Day
The day aims to encourage dialogue, exchange and development between cultures, to think about widening participation in learning and reaching diverse communities.
Tuesday 22 May: Day of Action for Learners
To stimulate local activities led for and by learners.
Thursday 24 May: Learning at Work Day
If you are interested in workforce development then Learning at Work Day offers a real chance to showcase opportunities in the workplace and to develop links between employers or trade unions.
Friday 25 May: Silver Surfers Day
A day to bring older learners into the world of email and the web, via bitesize tasters and learning events.
Saturday 26 May: Family Learning Day
A day to focus on the family and intergenerational learning.
Learning Festivals
Bring the community together with a Local Learning Festival
If you are thinking about planning an event, why not work with others?
There may be a Learning Festival co-ordinator working in your area, convening local planning meetings. Contact our regional development team: Essex Havard (tel: 029 2037 0900, email essex@niacedc.org.uk) or Rachel Jones (tel: 07717 303 644,email Rachel.jones@niacedc.org.uk).
An example of a recent learning festival was the Wrexham Learning Festival, below.
Wrexham Learning Festival 2006
Learning providers in Wrexham came together in September to stage the first Wrexham Learning Festival. The centrepiece was a Learning Marketplace held in the town's Queen's Square on a busy, and very sunny, Saturday. More than 20 learning providers took part, with interactive displays including card making, acupuncture, ICT, horticulture, science and technology - there was even the chance to milk a “virtual cow”!
Many learning providers have reported increased enrolments as a direct result of the festival. Coleg Harlech WEA have had their best September ever for community course enrolments in Wrexham, and Bangor University's Department of Lifelong Learning have been able to fill courses that otherwise might not have run. The Learning Festival planning group have voted unanimously to make this an annual event, and preparations for the 2007 Wrexham Learning Festival are already underway.
For more information on the 2007 Wrexham Learning Festival,contact Dylan Hughes or Rachel Jones
  
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Global Learning Award 2007
The Global Learning Award was launched by Cyfanfyd in partnership with NIACE in 2005. The award aims to celebrate and publicise innovative learning for adults in Wales that develops the knowledge, attitudes and skills people need to fully play their part as global citizens in our increasingly interconnected world. We are looking for projects and programmes that offer adults opportunities to explore how global issues affect local lives and how people can work together to achieve a more just and sustainable world.
Eligible projects could include concepts such as sustainable development, citizenship, race equality and corporate social responsibility. The award is open to tutors, organisations and institutions in Wales that can show evidence of incorporating a global perspective in their programmes. The winning project will be presented with an award in May 2007.
If you know of a programme which has incorporated a global dimension effectively, why not encourage the project leaders to enter or nominate them yourself. For more information and details of how to apply visit the Cyfanfyd website www.cyfanfyd.org.uk or contact Cyfanfyd on info@cyfanfyd.org.uk.
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QUICK READS
Quick Reads are entertaining, fast paced books that are designed to help adults develop a love of reading. Written by best-selling authors and celebrity personalities they capture the imagination and keep the reader turning the pages.
The Quick Reads project in Wales is a joint venture between the Basic Skills Agency and the Welsh Books Council. Titles are funded through the Basic Skills Agency as part of the National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
To support this national initiative at a local level, why not organise some fun activities for Adult Learners' Week around creative writing and/or storytelling? Involve local authors and storytellers. Take a look at the Academi website for funding possibilities for activities that promote creative writing. Also, don't forget our Learning Promotion Grants for each of our campaigns.
To take part in the National Quick Reads campaign and for more information on Quick Reads 2007, visit our website.
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Convergence Funding
The Wales European Funding Office (WEFO) has now published its strategy and priorities for the economic, social and environmental regeneration of West Wales and the Valleys over the period 2007-2013. NIACE Dysgu Cymru was a member of WEFO's external stakeholders group and has published a response to both the Convergence funding consultation and the operational proposals. These are available to view on our website.
A half day briefing is being arranged at The Pavillion, Llandrindod Wells, 10.30am - 1.00pm on 24th January. For a booking form and further details please contact wendy@niacedc.org.uk
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Skills, Demography and the Welsh Economy Conference
NIACE Dysgu Cymru is holding a seminar in light of Lord Leitch's review of skills. It will be at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on 30th January 2007, 9.30am-1pm. Confirmed speakers include Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Education Lifelong Learning and Skills, Andrew Davies AM, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks and Peter McGowan, Vocational Skills Champion. For a booking form or further details please contact wendy@niacedc.org.uk or 029 2037 0900.
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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.
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