Community Learning Services for Adults

We work with adults (16+, post school) to increase achievement through learning. We provide informal learning opportunities such as confidence building or introduction to computing as a safe way back into learning. We work with people who may have had a negative previous experience of learning or missed out on previous opportunities. We aim to build skills and confidence, and to widen the range of opportunities available to people.

We are partners in the delivery of the Comunity Based Adult Learning and Guidance Action Plan 2006-08.

For local information contact your Community Learning and Development Worker:

For general information about Community Based Adult Learning contact Oonagh McGarry, Community Learning & Development Officer Tel: 01896 755110 email: omcgarry@scotborders.gov.uk

Current Projects:

Parents as Early Education Partners (PEEP): pilot courses running in Eyemouth, Selkirk and Burnfoot.

Momentum/Driving Ahead: course for young people learning to drive with literacies embedded (see article). Pilot in Galashiels finishing Dec 08.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Parents Group: Course just completed at Langlee Primary School, but the group will continue to meet. We hope to establish an additional group in the Duns area early in 2009.

European Social Fund: Progression through employment (Priority 2) application currently being assessed. If successful, the project will begin in April 2009. Partners are Community Learning and Development (lead), Borders College, LEAD Scotland. The project will deliver Workplace Literacies, ESOL and support for people with disabilities to progress through learning.

Young Learners get the Momentum to Drive Ahead

Seven young people from across the Scottish Borders recently completed a course for pre-learner drivers called Momentum, part of the nationally recognised ‘First Gear & On Two Wheels’ programme from Youth Scotland. The course was delivered through a partnership between YouthBorders, SBC Community Learning & Development, Skills Development Scotland and was funded by Youth Scotland.
          The course was designed for young people who have not yet passed their driving test to encourage positive attitudes around car use by helping them understand the social and environmental impacts of the car, and the importance of safe and considerate driving. The course ran in Galashiels and involved class based work, as well as practical driving and car maintenance on private land, so the young people could drive before having a provisional license.

Jenny Miller from YouthBorders said: ‘Momentum is a great idea to make sure young people have the right attitudes and knowledge before driving. It also helps prepare them for their test, and gives them a vital understanding of the responsibilities of driving and running a car for the future. All the young people did an excellent job in participating and completing the course.’

Four of the young people from Momentum have carried on into Driving Ahead, run by Community Learning and Skills Development, which is more focussed on getting them through their theory test, and also includes free driving lessons for the participants. Additional to those from Momentum are 7 young people from the Borders Production Unit at Langlee Complex, a vocational training and lifeskills unit run by SBC.

Mark Smith, Community Worker with Scottish Borders Council said: ‘We hope that Driving Ahead helps these young people become confident and safe drivers, as well as making them more employable in a rural area such as the Borders.’ If the programme is successful then it is hoped that it can be run throughout the year in a number of locations across the Borders so that more young people can benefit.