Cash for voluntary groups to provide learning opportunities

Voluntary groups are being invited to apply for new funding to provide learning opportunities for the most disadvantaged people across Bury.

This unique opportunity has come through the Bury Community Learning Partnership, which brings together council departments, Bury College, Six Town Housing, representatives from the community and voluntary sector and from the local township forums.

The partnership is encouraging voluntary and community sector groups to work with the council’s adult learning service to deliver six partnership projects.

Priority will be given to projects that are delivered to residents in the following wards: Bury East, Moorside, Redvales, Besses, Radcliffe East, Radcliffe West, St Mary’s, Sedgley and Holyrood.

Funding for community learning is provided by the Government through the Skills Funding Agency and is aimed at adults aged 19 and over.

Projects should focus on one or more of the following themes:

  
• Improving people’s digital skills 
 
• Budgeting and money management
 
• Developing the skills of volunteers
 
• Improving confidence and willingness to take part in      learning
 
• Developing skills for employment
 
• Improving health and well-being
 
• Helping parents to be better equipped to support      their children’s learning
 
• English and maths

Successful voluntary groups will provide a venue to deliver courses in and identify 45 learners (who are Bury residents, aged over 19) to undertake 675 hours of learning (15 hours per learner). Each project will receive £2,500 to cover costs.

The council’s adult learning service will provide teaching and support staff and prepare the courses to be taught.

Projects should start in January 2015 and be completed by 17 July 2015.

Councillor Jane Lewis, cabinet member for communities and culture, said: “This is a unique opportunity for us all to work in partnership to give residents the skills they need. Local groups are best placed to identify those in the community who could most benefit from learning but have been hard to reach until now.”

  
• Interested community groups are asked to submit an Expression of Interest by completing the application form at http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9114  by 11 December. Alternatively, call Liz Saunders on 0161 253 6357.

ENDS

Press release issued: 24 November 2014.