Older Learners - it is never too late to start. If you are over 50 there are the same opportunities for you at colleges, adult learning centres, at work, learning as a volunteer or online as the average 19 year old, and you may be entitled to help with your costs. Older learners report that ‘learning and starting new interests and hobbies helps you stay active, keep your brain alive, meet new people and feel healthier and happier’. You could even think about setting up in business with Prime Initiative a national organisation to help people over 50 set up in business - see http://www.primeinitiative.org.uk/ or call 0800 783 1904
You could join your local University of the Third Age (http://www.u3a.org.uk/) and meet hundreds of local people with wide-ranging interests, or visit a centre like the Riverside in Guildford where Age Concern runs computer learning, bingo, lunches and social events in the community (for more information see http://www.acsurrey.org.uk/ or call 01483 572455)
New parents, lone parents - get all the support you need and meet other parents through your local Children’s Centre. There will be advice here about parenting courses, childcare and Jobcentre Plus help to get back into work. Surrey County Council can help you find your nearest Children’s Centre. Just call 08456 009 009
Work colleagues - persuade you colleagues at work to join you in improving your skills so you can work better, improve your CV, get that promotion or apply for a better job.
Do it with your family – 'Family Learning' describes a whole range of activities and programmes that involve parents/carers, children and the wider family in learning, often involving children and adults in learning together. Family Learning encourages adults to learn for their own personal development. The programmes are designed to support parents/carers to brush up their own maths, English and language skills, to benefit themselves and their children, and maybe even gain a National Qualification. Family Learning programmes are carried out in both school and outreach venues across Surrey. To find out more, contact the Family Programmes team on 01932 794539
Do it online with the BBC – For example, did you know there are 12 million adults in the UK who struggle with their reading and writing? The BBC’s RaW campaign is for everyone, however there is a special focus on learning as a family. If you have kids and you’d like to help them with their reading, or you’d like to read them better stories, RaW can help. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/raw
Do it as a volunteer - Volunteering is an excellent way of learning in your community. You get to meet new people, learn new skills and help your community, and there is funding available for some volunteering courses through ‘Train to Gain’. There is a thriving network of Volunteer Centres in Surrey and these centres are the ideal first point of contact if you are looking to volunteer. You can also contact your local Centre to register volunteering vacancies your local group or organisation.
The Volunteer Centre role includes:
• Promoting volunteering
• Providing opportunities, information, advice and support for volunteers
• Helping organisations to find volunteers and providing them with advice and information
• Being involved in campaigns for volunteering
To find volunteering opportunities in places or organisations you’re interested in visit http://www.do-it.org.uk/ - the national volunteering database, or visit your nearest volunteer centre. To find out more about training courses for volunteers you could also visit www.surreyca.org.uk and request a training brochure.