Community Education Service Annual Report 2006/07
This report provides an overview of the work of the Community Education Service in 2006/07.
The Western Isles Community Education Service promotes and provides opportunities for community learning where local people are included, participating, achieving and progressing. The service contributes towards the delivery of Community Learning & Development across the Western Isles.
The Scottish Executive has identified the three national priorities for community learning and development as being:
| Achievement through learning for adults. | Raising standards of achievement in learning for adults through community-based lifelong learning opportunities incorporating the core skills of literacy, numeracy, communications, working with others, problem-solving and information communications technology (ICT). |
| Achievement through learning for young people. | Engaging with young people to facilitate their personal, social and educational development and enable them to gain a voice, influence and a place in society. |
| Achievement through building community capacity. | Building community capacity and influence by enabling people to develop the confidence, understanding and skills required to influence decision making and service delivery. |
The Outer Hebrides Community Learning & Development Strategy outlines the community learning and development strategic priorities for the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership and this provides the strategic context for the operational work of the Community Education Service.
Achievement through learning for adults.
Community Based Adult Learning
- 150 Community Learning Classes were run in the Western Isles with 1,127 learners participating.
- In Lewis & Harris all learners stated that they were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the class they attend and evaluation indicated that 73% of learners achieved one or more learning outcomes.
- 6 community consultations regarding evening classes were carried out and 2 meetings were held with each Learning Association to promote community classes and identify learning needs.
- 1 Support session and 1 training night were carried out for evening class tutors in Lewis & Harris
- Work has begun on developing progression routes from Literacy Numeracy. Community Learning Fair took place in Town Hall Stornoway
Adult Literacy & Numeracy Provision
- 152 Learners participated in Learning Shop provision. Evaluation indicated that 87% of these learners (i.e. 132 learners) achieved one or more of the intended learning outcomes.
- A Satellite Learning Centre was set up on Thursdays in the Community Education Office in Tarbert and attracted 12 Leaners. The South Harris Satellite Centre has attracted 8 Learners.
- Introductory Training in Adult Literacies Learning (ITALL) in Lewis & Harris for paid & voluntary tutors was delivered and SQA Professional DevelopmentAwards in Adult Literacies were received by participants.
- Training for Adult Literacies Tutors in Lewis & Harris were delivered on: groupwork; numeracy; learning resources; gaelic literacies; and youth achievement awards.
Achievement through learning for young people.
Issue Based Workshops for young people
- A wide range of issue based workshops were carried out with young people across the Western Isles. Some of the issues covered were: Body-Image, Driving, Alcohol Education, Drugs Education, Sexual Health and Bullying
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
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160 young people were registered with the award in the last year with over 80 young people being presented with awards at the annual ceremony in October 2006.
These young people were supported by over 20 volunteers.
Youth Worker Training
- Youth Worker modular training underway with 25 workers/volunteers
Detached Youth Work Project
- The Detached Youth Workers have engaged with over 3,000 young people providing a range of advice and support.
Pointers
- Pointers is open Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings and Saturday afternoon. An average of 130 young people per week have accessed Pointers.
- The Centre was also open during the Summer and young people took part in a range of activities.
Gaelic
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gaelic Group were supported in preparing for a trip to St Kilda to deliver Story-telling and History.
- The Harris Gaelic Youth Group’s activity programme included a trip to An Lanntair and sports events and working with Radio nan Gaidheal on recording and editing interviews
- Supporting Oigridh Uibhist in a range of activities including: a Drama and Music production, a camping and fishing trip to Mingulay, and a cookery and art workshops
Youth Literacies Programme
- One 60 hour programme completed & a further programme due to be completed by the end of the year. Seven young people have achieved Silver Youth Achievement awards with another two achieving Bronze.
Achievement through building community capacity.
Youth Voices/Councils
- 6 Youth Voice workshops run based around Democracy
- Supporting Youth Voices in Point, Westside, Uig, North Lochs, South Lochs, Benbecula, South Uist & North Uist.
- Re-established Lewis Youth Council which incorporates reps from active Youth Voices
- Supporting Youth Councils in Harris & Barra
- Western Isles Youth Forum event took place in Scaladale
Assistance to Youth Organisations
- Barvas Youth Club re-established
- Assisted Youth Committee at TOSC Youth Café with Programme planning and fundraising for equipment resulting in £5k grant from Youthlink
- Supporting New Music Trust & Youth bands. Support to Management groups at: YMCA, Volunteer Centre, Bayhead, Newton, & Cearns Ongoing
- Support to Area Youth Workers in Point.
- Supporting N Lochs Girls Clubs, Pairc Junior & Senior Youth Clubs.
- Set up & supporting new Youth Club in Sollas
Community Groups Capacity Building
- 3 Management Training workshops delivered in Lewis & Harris in conjunction with the Volunteer Centre
- Support to Point Recreation Capital Project
- Support to Bridge Capital Project
- 2 Community Events training sessions in partnership with the Community Safety Group Completed.
- Food Hygiene workshops carried out in Ness, Shawbost & Point
- 2 Health & Safety Workshops run for Uist in conjunction with Community Co-ordinator
Community Education Services Annual Report 2006-2007 (PDF 70Kb)