A Southend college and a local housing provider are celebrating after receiving a certificate of achievement from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
The certificates are in recognition of the partnership work undertaken between Southend Adult Community College (SACC) and South Essex Homes (SEH) for the college’s Tenancy Sustainment course and the Plus programme.
SACC nominated both courses for the category of Inspiring Learning Projects for this year’s NIACE Adult Learners’ Week award. Held each May and now in its 20th year Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest and longest running learning campaign. It encourages thousands of adults, whatever their age and background, to give learning a go. Whether it’s learning for pleasure, catching up on skills missed out on at school or for getting a new job or promotion.
The nomination focussed on the close partnership approach both organisations have undertaken to run the courses together since 2006. At that time, it was highlighted that within the Southend area a number of tenants were struggling to keep their tenancy.
Over 200 SEH clients have attended the four-week Tenancy Sustainment course at the college where they have learnt, why a tenancy may fail, money management skills, healthy eating, cooking on a budget and setting future goals. As well as developing their maths and English skills.
Debbie Angel Programme Leader at SACC said, “To receive recognition for all of the hard work undertaken by all parties involved in the Tenancy Sustainment & Plus Programme work is a wonderful achievement. Adult Learners’ Week is a great opportunity for work such as ours to a make a real difference to the local community”.
Background Information
NIACE – Adult Learners’ Week - The Campaign
- From learning Pilates to gaining a PhD, Adult Learners' Week celebrates learning and learners in all their diversity, inspiring thousands of people each year to try something new. The campaign promotes the benefits of all kinds of learning, whether it is for fun or leading to a qualification.
- Celebrating the 20th Adult Learners' Week in 2011, the initiative continues to be the largest drive for learning of its kind - celebrated in over 55 countries across the world. Founded and co-ordinated by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), Adult Learners' Week in England is backed by thousands of supporters.
- During Adult Learners Week 2010, an estimated 100,000 adults engaged in over 4,000 learning events. In a survey of participants, 57% of the people who took part in activity enrolled on, or applied for, a course as a result of getting involved.
