Community Learning Trust Responsiveness Fund

www.communitylearningtrust.org.ukOrwww.staffordshire.gov.uk/acl - funding opportunities

What is it?

• The funding is for the delivery and benefit of training and learning for adults returning to learning. ( adult is anyone 19 years or over on Aug 31st 2013) • open to organisations to deliver a needs led project within Staffordshire. • There is £250,000 available in total, with £130,000 for voluntary and third sector organisations

only and £120,000 available for all adult learning providers.• All projects will need to comply with Skills Funding Agency rules.• Decisions on funding will be made by the Community Learning Trust Board Sub-Group based on: 

• Funding priorities based on evidenced local needs• An even geographical distribution of funds• Alignment to the Business, Innovation and Skills New Challenges, New Chances

Community Learning objectives • Alignment to the Adult and Community Learning Service Commissioning priorities – local

and countywide

Projects should: • be delivered to adults 19 years and over• have clear learning aims that will result in adults being better

prepared to move on to further learning, work or volunteering• be delivered by tutors with appropriate teaching qualifications They also: can have an aim of improving the local communitycan be centred on improving volunteers’ skills and qualificationscan be accredited to level 1 if the course is not able to be funded through the Adult Skills Budget

Programmes should be targeted at one or more of the following groups:Adults aged 19 years and over who are one or more of the following: • Unemployed• Economically inactive local residents in any Staffordshire district• People with no or low qualifications.• Adults with learning difficulties/disabilities.• Adults from ethnic minority groups.• Adults experiencing mental and/or physical health issues.• Older people.• Carers.• Homeless adults and adults living in hostel accommodation• Lone parents• Volunteers

Completing the application form:

• First read the guidance – it’s there to help you.• Read the question • Answer all the questions – we really do need all the information we

ask for• If in doubt – ask – julia.staniforth@staffordshire.gov.uk 01785 278771

07800626536

What not to forget:• UKPRN number – costs nothing and takes seconds

BUT Skills Funding Agency rules say all subcontractors must have one - http://www.ukrlp.co.uk/

• Join your Locality Working Group – www.communitylearningtrust.org.uk

• Policies and insurance – why do we ask for professional indemnity?

• Do complete the accounts section – it’s a quick reference to check solvency

• Complete tutor TEACHING qualifications

Completing the detailed sectionsSection 3 The Project Please describe the evidence of need for your project (NB no projects will be approved without clear evidence of community need including evidence from local consultation) (Word count 200 to 500 words)

What do we mean by evidence?

Some ExamplesMSM wishes to apply for funds to repeat a money management course that was delivered during June and July 2013. The original application made the argument that through our own research we found that the majority of our clients said that they found managing their money to be a very real and on-going problem. The evidence of community need that was derived form a survey carried out amongst our clients remains the same as it was previously.

On the previous course we have recorded where one learner made changes to her spending and had already saved £45.

We have now completed a term of delivering courses for the community learning trust responsiveness fund and have had the day to day contact to confirm the need and aspirations of the local community. With all of the courses we have delivered we have asked students for their comments at the beginning of the courses and asked them to complete feedback and what they would like next at the end of the courses. The comments we have received back highlight what we have had indicated from earlier consultations. This includes the lack of crèche facilities to run alongside learning on offer which creates a huge barrier to parents of young children to be able to move forward in their lives. The second factor that is a common problem to many learners is that they can only attend one short term course and that does not allow them enough time to gain the skills or confidence to change their lives in any significant way. Lastly they have focused on how they like the learning to take place in informal settings where they feel comfortable and relaxed. Below is the conclusions to the consultations undertaken before the previous course were delivered, I would like to update where we are now in relation to this and in response to our learners.

The barriers to learning. The lack of a crèche facility. Overall more than 60% stated this as a barrier, “the cost of courses” with approx 50%. Highlighting the need for learning to take place in centres which can support learning with crèche facilities) Learners identified the need for learning in the local area, many did not wish to pursue formal education within a college environment. 50% of respondents identified the normal courses supplied i.e IT, Maths, English etc! a shift in attitudes people are becoming more conscious of the savings of maintaining their own vehicles and want courses to fulfil this need. An increasing need for courses about food and nutrition. stories regarding the nutritional value of foods and the horse contamination have given an impetus to the value of planning and preparing your own food. The final change is that people would like signing as a subject. This is encouraging given that signing is being made available from Pre school age.

We have offered food courses, and now have evidence of home cooking and an understanding of nutrition. We offered maths through the local college and have sign posted to a sign language course. We have offered a crèche with all courses and it has all been delivered locally. All our students are asking for more courses and when can they sign up for them. The centre anticipates, based upon feedback , to provide courses both in the daytime and evenings. After the feedback we received from the end of course forms all students requested courses for the next term and beyond both in the leisure sector and the formal sector. Leisure courses include:

Advanced Cake making and decorating Car Maintenance Cooking and nutrition Formal courses include Maths English IT Developing Business ideas Sign Language Developing Families

A number of families have requested courses on child development and understanding how their child learns and how they as parents can help their children The following plan is designed from the feedback we have received. As stated previously this has been a major consultation by a number of organizations to ascertain the needs of the area and in our opinion offers a great opportunity to engage with the local area whilst raising aspirations.

The charity was approached by the Yarnfield Pre-school group to run a course within their community for their parents to improve skills and to encourage participation in additional learning, community involvement and in widening employment opportunities amongst the families that used their pre-school. This was following a recommendation by parents who were aware of other courses we had delivered in particular a recent ACL in the Blythe Bridge area. We consulted with potential beneficiaries through attending the pre-school and with meeting with parents, other carers and those running the group. A further information coffee morning and taster session has been arranged for the near future. From talking to potential beneficiaries they were able to tell us that many felt that their skills in certain areas affected their employment prospects or had prevented them from taking part in other educational courses. A number of them related their own difficulties they had with literacy or maths and concerns about learning difficulties such as dyslexia (affecting about 10% of the population to some degree). Self esteem and confidence were affected which again can impacted on individuals in a negative way. Most were mothers or grandparents of children attending the group and were interested in improving their own skills in literacy and maths in order that they may support the learning of their child/grandchild. Across the group consulted with, they wanted learning opportunities delivered within their own local community. They felt that this would give best access to those who had family commitments, caring duties or who lacked their own transport. Pre-school staff were keen that those caring for the children they were involved with had the skills to support the child’s learning at home. This is often lacking or a lack of confidence prevents parents from becoming actively involved in supporting learning within the home. It was felt that a course directed at those families with pre-school children in the Yarnfield area would be beneficial to those attending but also raise interest amongst the community and encourage further learning and community involvement in the families as a whole. Other needs identified within the potential beneficiaries were social circumstances that had hindered employment and educational opportunities; lack of knowledge about volunteering and the benefits of taking part both to personal development and to help others; feelings of isolation through being out of work or being at home with young children.

Section 5 Progression of Learners How will your activity help individuals progress to further learning/volunteering/employment: Please indicate how you intend to work with relevant agencies/organisations to assist learners in progressing and what referral processes you have to these organisations. For example Adult Advancement and Careers Service, Job Centre Plus, JET, local colleges, Voluntary services.

What are we looking for here?

ExamplesExample 1 We work in conjunction with the local college and have a Maths course running at the centre and we have visits from the Community education worker who gives students information on what is available at the college for progression routes.

We work closely with the local CVS and the projects they have available for students to progress to in the future. We have a visiting worker from the CAB who advises what people are allowed to do in line with their benefit criteria.

We have a broadband connection to allow students to look at job sights and information from job centre plus.

Short but it says a lot

As stated, the programme is a recovery focused employment programme – that will provide learners with effective preparation, (i.e. via its training programme and themed and work focused peer-support groups) and pre-engagement activities for work, (i.e. through linkage with C’s volunteering programmes).

C will continue to build on and develop links with local JCPs and Work Programme Providers, and Making Space’s Mental Health Employment Service.

In order to both attract and support the progression of learners, Advance will continue to utilise reciprocal referral pathways with a range of partner organisations, i.e. in addition to receiving referrals from the following, Advance will continue refer learners to the following organisations in order to progress them towards their employment, education or mental health goals:

JHP Employability Burton (Work Programme Provider)

JHP Employability Tamworth (Work Programme Provider)

Moorlands North and South CMHT (NHS

C mental health services, (including opportunities for volunteer placements and its NOCN accredited Coordinator training programme).

A will continue to facilitate volunteering engagement by utilising volunteering opportunities available within the organisation, (i.e. Wellbeing Centres located in Uttoxeter, Burton-on-Trent, Lichfield, Burntwood, and Tamworth), along with existing links with South/East Staffs Community Volunteer Centres. C is able to provide ongoing support, training and supervision to users wishing to perform volunteer work in various areas of the organisation, i.e. as part of C Executive Committee, (the charity's management body); an Office Worker, (involved in administration, fundraising, PR work etc); a Group Co-ordinator, (involved in service delivery).

A will continue to provide learners with access to both accredited and non-accredited learning opportunities. Learners will have access to Cs’ National Open College Network accredited Co-ordinators Training Programme and Volunteer Training Course, (carrying NVQ Level 3 equivalent accreditation). They will also have access to a range of ‘wellness-focused’ ACL training courses currently provided by C. Importantly, A will continue to utilise links with other employment agencies, (i.e. JCP, Work Programme Providers, Making Spaces); training and educational establishments; ACL training providers, and third sector training organisations – to ensure learners are provided with relevant and effective learning opportunities.

The whole premise of the programme will continue to be to enable those with disabilities or experiencing physical or mental illness, (amongst the most disadvantaged groups in society), to develop the knowledge and wellness tools to promote the recovery, wellness and social inclusion.

Employment

L works closely with Jobcentre Plus and the JET service to support unemployed people with learning disabilities in N. Staffs. Referrals both from and to are via Disability Employment Advisors at JCP, the Jet Team, IAG advisors, National Careers Service and Entrust within the area. L has also built substantial links with many local employers and staff are experienced in developing good relationships with new employers.

Voluntary Work

L is a member of all voluntary infrastructure organisations (VAST, and SMCVS). L works closely with a wide range of other voluntary organisations both in gaining referrals and helping unemployed people progress into voluntary placements. The courses we run will help clients to progress to further support with L which will include: Supported work placement Accredited short course Healthy living Gaining independence

The full range of support is designed to help clients to progress to employment, voluntary work or to engage in further education or training.

Other Learning Opportunities

Attendance at our Work Clubs, running Tuesdays and Thursdays. Support is provided by a tutor to help people to look for jobs, to apply and to attend interviews. Where possible L also encourages and supports learners to progress to further training opportunities with local colleges and training providers and we have good links with these

Community activities

L’s Cornerstone Café is used as a venue to engage with the local community and we will seek to arrange community events throughout the year. Our client group will have opportunities to volunteer and take part in activities. We also encourage our client group to take part in community activities through contact with the local CVS.

Monitoring Your Delivery

Information and advice to you as a provider

Staffordshire County Council - Provider Information

And the systems we need you to use!

Why are we asking this of you?

Who have we funded so far this year?Pulse for Music – deliver short music song writing and making computerised music tracks. Mainly in East Staffs but can deliver at any local venueChesterton Salvation Army (Newcastle) – First Aid, Food Hygiene, Manual HandlingLandau – Chatterbox, Made of Money, Cookery skills, crafts in Newcastle areaStaffordshire Care Farm Development – variety if activities designed to increase confidence of mental health adults plus volunteer training in Sudbury and Lichfield areaDyslexia Association – dyslexia awareness for parents in StoneMid staffs Mencap – budgeting in StaffordWest Chadsmoor Family Centre – crafts, confidence building, BSL, stress busters to name a few in CannockChanges – Advance – course for adults recovering from mental health issues across the districtMedia Climate – Photography, music, food hygiene and cooking in Cannock but can bring learners from elsewhere