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AONTAS SENIOR LEARNER NETWORK

AONTAS Senior Learner Network

Monday, 28 September 2009

It’s Your Network, Don’t Stop Now!

Niamh O’ Reilly | Head of Membership Services AONTAS | The National Adult Learning Organisation Second Floor | 83 – 87 Main Street | Ranelagh | Dublin 6 | Ireland Ph: 01 4068220 | Fax: 01 4068227 E-mail: mail@aontas.com | Web: www.aontas.com Charity Reg: 6719 | Company Reg: 80958

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AONTAS SENIOR LEARNER NETWORK

1. Introduction

The third AONTAS Senior Learner Network meeting took place in the National Museum of Ireland,

Collins Barracks during Positive Ageing Week. The theme for the meeting was It’s Your Network-

Don’t Stop Now! It aimed to ensure the the Senior Learner Network Manifesto moved forward, given

the current economic climate we must look at alternative methods for moving forward on the points

locally and nationally with the assistance of AONTAS.

In order to see the progress of the Network, Niamh O’Reilly provided an overview of the work of the

Network so far. The first meeting of the network identified what the network should focus on, three

themes emerged: expertise, learning and information. Regarding expertise, this point looked at using

the skills of the members of the network for developing the networking and in the broader

community. Older people have a wealth of experience and it was stated that there was a real desire

to share this with each other and across the generations. This in itself ended up becoming a

manifesto point (point 1). The second theme that emerged was information sharing: about what

courses are available, how courses are advertised. This again emerged strongly in the second

meeting and became a manifesto point 2. For the third theme ‘learning’ this focussed on the types of

courses available to older learners and the need for funding such courses. Again this became

Manifesto point 3 and 4.

The second meeting of the Network looked at creating a Manifesto in advance of the local and

European elections. This identified 5 points:

1. Acknowledge the value and wisdom of senior learners by facilitating the passing on of

information

2. Create and distribute information on the learning opportunities for older learners in every

community

3. Ensure accessible, locally-based courses for senior learners

4. Specific funding must be allocated to quality adult and community education courses for

older learners

5. Retain Minister of State for Older People at all costs (with enhanced responsibilities and

influence)

Therefore, the third meeting would focus on moving forward on each of these manifesto points using

the skills and ideas of the participants, which is in keeping with manifesto point 1 in that we will be

using the skills and expertise of the members to share how we create an action plan for the network.

Following on from this we also looked at how we can strengthen the network, at the first meeting we

asked what people want from the Network, again it was skills, information, networking and lobbying.

So today we want to again use your expertise and knowledge to look at these areas.

So to recap the progress of the Network was be summarised as follows: created a Manifesto, fed into

the Positive ageing strategy regarding lifelong learning for older people. Now we will look at moving

forward with the manifesto and create a basis for an action plan for the network. In order to ensure

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the voice of senior learners is heard and that there is a direct channel within the government to

influence the importance of retaining a minister for state for older people was seen as essential.

For the process of the day, Minister Aine

Brady officially opened the meeting. She

spoke of the importance of adult learning in

later life and the role it has to play in

contributing to the development of an

individual and the benefits of learning with

regard to health and social inclusion. She also

noted the contribution of the Senior Learner

Network manifesto and the AONTAS

submission to the positive ageing strategy.

Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement, gave a broad input on the importance of

collaboration between organisations involved in the rights of older people, the importance of

learning and how she has witnessed the effect of learning through her work across the country.

She spoke of the power of learning and

Niamh O’Reilly provided an overview of the work of the Senior Learner Network to date and

how we can progress further in this regard. The first meeting of the Network provided the basis

for the direction of the Network by highlighting three themes: expertise, learning and

information. These three themes are reflected in the Senior Learner Network manifesto which

encapsulates the areas that must be addressed in order to improve the service for older

learners. The aim of the day was to progress the manifesto and to ensure that it can achieved

through the experience and skills of Senior Learner Network members. Mary Mason from the

Older Women’s Network chaired a session whereby PJ Gallagher, a Senior Learner, shared his

Minister Aine Brady

Maureen Kavanagh, Minister Aine Brady, PJ Gallagher and Mary Mason

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experience as a learner. Mary shared her views on the benefits of working together and that

older people are part of the action now in that a community of people come

Participants of the meeting discussed one manifesto point each at each table, from the

perspective of what they can do to progress this point and what AONTAS can do to support this

work.

Tullamore Active Retirement performed a play of their own creation which highlighted adult

education in later life, it was followed by a poem composed by Patricia Dunne. Following lunch,

the participants engaged in discussions that sought to identify the skills and experience within

the Network in order to build our collective capcacity.

2. Background Information To set the context of the report the background to the learner network is discussed below. This

work has been carried out in conjunction with AONTAS staff and the learner network steering

group. This plan acts as a basis for the learner networks and will be amended according to the

comments and suggestions of participants.

The initial aim of the learner network was:

To act as a local representative body for learners

To be an action driven forum for learners

To give learners the opportunity to meet each other in their area

To share experiences with each other

To facilitate and empower learners to take action on issues that affect them

To use the information obtained to feed into the policy work of AONTAS and ensure we

are responsive to the needs of learners

To feed into the policy work of the member organisation

To share information on policy at national level

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Information obtained will be:

Compiled into a report (outcomes of each meeting) – Distributed to learners, their

organisation, to AONTAS staff, made available on a specific part of the AONTAS website.

Incorporated into specific areas of our policy work, by way of using a discussion forum

at the learner network meeting on an issue.

3. Participant Discussions

The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: for members of the Senior Learner Network to use their skills and experience to find ways to move forward on the Manifesto and for them to take ownership of the network by way of creating an action plan for the Network.

Session 1

The purpose of the morning session (11.15am) was to use the knowledge and experience of

members of the Senior Learner Network in order to look at how we can go forward with the

Manifesto. Each table had a facilitator to guide the discussion, and the agreed ideas were

placed on charts (an example of which is below).

Participants discussed one of the manifesto

points and offered ideas of what could be

done by members of the Network in relation

to this point. Ideas were shared and debated

with other participants and the agreed main

points were written on the chart.This resulted

in a chart that represented one manifesto

point, surrounded by 4 ideas circles which

outlined what the Network can do and how

AONTAS can help with this.

Manifesto point Manifesto point

How AONTAS can support this point (white section)

One of the 4 responses from the group (grey section)

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Outcome of session 1 discussions

Manifesto Point 1: Acknowledge the value and wisdom of senior learners by facilitating the

passing on of information

In relation to this point, actions under two themes emerged to address this point: information

and skills.

Information

Speakers available for local groups - have a list available

Information Booklet - have a free textline and put in the ebulletin

Members of the Senior Learner Network to spread the word – Each member to call 2 other

people

Skills

Members of Senior Learner Network to talk about their interests at meeting

Members to do something at a meeting

Intergenerational skills transfer – must be supported by schools

Intragenerational – support skills transfer

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Manifesto Point 2: Create and distribute information on the learning opportunities for older

learners in every community

In relation to this point, actions under three themes emerged to address this point: website,

promotion and national strategy for disseminating information.

Website

Website for all older people, a one stop shop – act as an umbrella information source for older

people, Spread the word about this website through all local public places: church, libraries,

health centres etc.

Promotion

Radio – have a 10 minute radio slot on local radio – announcements about learning

opportunities locally

Local Paper - Members of the Senior Learner Network to write a piece about their

experience of learning or information about courses

Local Booklet – VECs to have a booklet specifically for older learners (over 55)

Have a logo that identifies the course is aimed at older people

National Strategy for disseminating information

NGOs to convene with education providers in order to discuss how effective dissemination of

information on courses for older people can occur. Links with education providers must be made

for this also.

Manifesto Point 3: Ensure accessible, locally-based courses for senior learners

In relation to this point, a number of actions emerged to address this point.

Attract and maintain learners – personal development build group capacity.

Transport and access to courses is intrinsically linked – particularly in rural areas. This must

be considered when courses are being developed – a strategy for meeting this need could

include car pooling, buses, volunteers to act as companions for learners getting to class.

Security is an issue: security alarms are needed for learners

Libraries – AONTAS to contact – more classes should be held through libraries

Manifesto Point 4: Specific funding must be allocated to quality adult and community education

courses for older learners

In relation to this point, a number of actions emerged to address this point.

Lobby: hold onto funding we have.

Lobby strategy: Information sharing, submissions and promotion of funding for educational

opportunities for older people. Education is a right of older people should be the message.

Retired teachers could be asked to volunteer to host classes for older people

Products created by older learner groups could be sold to support future classes

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Manifesto Point 5: Retain Minister of State for Older People at all costs (with enhanced

responsibilities and influence)

Older people/learners to link with AONTAS and other NGOs in turn to lobby Minister of State for

Older People

Make learners aware of the Minister

Open the lines of communication between the Minister and learners

Session 2

The purpose of the afternoon session (2.30 pm) was to look at how we can create an action plan

for the Senior Learner Network. The outcomes of the manifesto in the morning session will be the

objectives of the action plan. The afternoon looked at how the Network will work effectively. Four

different discussion groups were proposed and participants engaged in discsussion groups

according to their interests:

1. Skills - Identification and acknowledgement of existing skills and expertise of network

participant and development of new skills.

2. Communication: How can we share information amongst the network? How will be

communicate to others in the network and create a 2 way street between the network and

AONTAS?

3. Network: How can we strengthen and grow the network in terms of strength, unity and

solidarity.

4. Lobbying: How can the network continue to lobby for the needs of senior learners?

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Outcomes from Session 2 In the afternoon session a number of points were raised by the network members in relation to

how an action plan for the network could be created by using the skills, experience and knowledge

of the network members. Four categories were explored in terms of communication, skills,

networking and lobbying. The discussion attempted find the role of both AONTAS and members of

the network with regard to each of the areas, however as discussions overlapped a general

overview of the discussion outcomes in outlined below which summarises the main areas

discussed.

1. Communication

The Senior Learner Network identified methods for increasing communication and the sharing of

information between older people and with AONTAS. A number of recommendations were

outlined for both the Network and AONTAS.

Members of the Senior Learner Network:

To increase information about learning opportunities by word of mouth, spread information about

your involvement in adult learning and what learning opportunities are available through a variety

of methods: local parish newsletter, local newspapers, and to suggest a slot in the local radio

station dedicated to learning opportunities for older people.

Use local networks to promote the Senior Learner Network Manifesto

Link in more with local libraries for hosting IT classes.

Sell the products created in classes as a method for funding further classes – sell clothing, cakes

etc.

Undertake creative fundraising activities to support learning for older people.

Start up local Senior Learner Networks or use existing networks for disseminating information

about the value of learning in later life.

Members of the Network to stay up to date with what is happening in their area and to spread this

information around the network

AONTAS

To act as a medium for sharing information amongst the Senior Learner Network and with

AONTAS.

To support local networks to sharing information between members of the network and with

AONTAS.

2. Networking within the Senior Learner Network

The Senior Learner Network identified methods for increasing networking capacity. A number of

recommendations were outlined for both the Network and AONTAS.

Members of the Senior Learner Network:

Engage in peer learning within the network (learn from each other)

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3. Skills

A number of individuals offered their skills for the benefit of the network including tutoring, taking

phone calls, engaging in the helpline activities, acting as an information point for the network,

providing information on guest speakers for the Network and organising table quizzes.

Organisational skills – members of the network becoming a point of contact for the Senior

Learner Network

Interpersonal skills – Promoting an inclusive environment at network meetings

Creativity skills – Increase the capacity and confidence of the network to become more

creative within meetings of the network.

4. Lobbying

In terms of the ability of members of the network to lobby there was a huge interest and range of

skills available to support this work. The following were identified by the Network:

Share information about how to lobby

Members of the network to contact their local councillor and make requests

Come together to draft a submission regarding the learning needs of older people

Invite politicians to events

Utilise the contacts with the Senior Citizen Parliament

Encourage other senior learners to question the current service and to identify the issues

and needs of older learners

Share information about a particular issue and how it was resolved effectively

Contact the media bout the issue e.g. Joe Duffy

4. Going forward for the Senior Learner Network A number of specific actions were identified in order to progress the Senior Learner Network

manifesto. The following table outlines this, this will be part of the action plan for the Network.

Action Outcome

Point

1

Have a textline to obtain the AONTAS

information booklet.

The AONTAS textline is open until the

end of march. Just text the word INFO

with your name and address to 53377,

and for the price of a text message

(15c) you will receive a copy of our

Information Booklet free of charge.

Increase involvement of Senior Learner

Network participants.

Ensure SLN participants are involved in

the meeting structure.

Point

2

Have a one stop shop website for older

people.

AONTAS to convene a meeting with

other organisations involved with older

people to look at the feasibility of this.

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Promotion of learning in later life through

the radio.

AONTAS to contact the national

organisation responsible for community

radio (CRAOL) to propose ten minute

slots to highlight learning in later life.

Promotion of learning in later life through

the local newspapers

Members of the Senior Learner

Network to write articles for local

newspapers

Have a logo for courses aimed at senior

learners so that they can easily identify an

appropriate course

Members of the Senior Learner

Network to create the logo. AONTAS to

promote it to education providers

National strategy for sharing information

about senior learning

AONTAS to convene a meeting with

other organisations involved with older

people to look at the feasibility of this.

Point

3

Lobbying issues: transport and need more

classes in local libraries. It must be viewed as

a right for older people.

AONTAS to work with other

organisations in developing a position

paper in relation to learning in later life.

Point

4

Lobbying required - must hold on to funding

and share information about what learning

opportunities are available to older people.

As above.

Point

5

Keep Minister Aine Brady up to date with

issues facing older people.

AONTAS to work with other

organisations in developing a position

paper in relation to learning in later life

and present to Minister.

In creating an Action Plan for the Network the following main points were identified for action.

Ideas for generating funding for senior learner activities included selling the products produced at

classes and undertaking creative fundraising activities. Members of the Networks are to act as

ambassadors for senior learning by promoting the network locally and staying up to date with

what’s happening in their area.

Also in terms of how the network will function we will incorporate peer learning and the sharing

of lobbying into the next meeting. An action plan for Senior Learner Network will be compiled and

proposed at the next meeting. For more information or to add your comments please contact

Niamh O’Reilly at the AONTAS office.