South Wye Learning Centre - Information
The South Wye Learning Centre, initially conceived in response
to the UK Online initiative, is a successful Neighbourhood Learning
Centre serving an area of Herefordshire, which is within the top
1500 wards of deprivation in the country. It is based in premises
adjacent to Haywood High School, in the heart of the South Wye
Community of Hereford.
The Centre aims, through the provision of premises, resources
and staffing to:
- Offer learning opportunities to adults who have,
traditionally, not engaged with education and who would not
travel to, or relate to, traditional institutions of Further
Education.
- Develop and operate flexible demand-led learning
opportunities, offering flexible delivery at a time and place
convenient and comfortable to the learner.
- Increase young people's awareness of Further Education
opportunities by providing a role model in terms of
non-threatening and positive delivery of learning
opportunities.
- Raise the skills base and employability of local
people
- Offer facilities which encourage ownership by the local
community but which are supported through a range of partner
organisations in order to ensure sustainability and continued
commitment to achievement of the targets set for the
project.
The Centre provides a supported venue for the delivery of
learning programmes but is not, itself, a provider of courses.
Courses are delivered by a range of training providers including,
but not limited to, Herefordshire College of Technology,
Herefordshire NHS Trust, Surestart, Relate and Herefordshire
Council. In addition, good links have been established with a range
of private providers, particularly those offering targeted
provision for specific client groups based within the area.
Premises
The Centre shares a building with Haywood High School, but has
its own entrance and is entirely self-contained.
There is ample free parking immediately adjacent to the building,
and the local bus service passes the site entrance.
The Centre is fully accessible in accordance with the requirements
of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Facilities
- 2 fully equipped ICT suites each comprising 15 networked
PCs with internet access, 2 printers (one colour and one black
and white laser), interactive whiteboard and scanner. One room
is equipped with a hearing loop.
- A multi-purpose classroom, which can be used for a variety
of different classes and can comfortably accommodate groups of
20+. This room also has a hearing loop.
- A small meeting room/teaching room, which also doubles up
as a crèche facility
- A social area where learners can meet and chat over
refreshments.
- A manned reception offering advice to learners on courses
and activities available at the Centre, photocopying and
telephone services and which is also equipped with a hearing
loop and minicom system.
- 6 laptop computers on a wireless network
- 3 digital projectors
- TV and Video equipment
- A range of specialist equipment to enable those with
physical disabilities to use IT equipment such as switching
units, magnifiers, specialist keyboards etc.
Centre Objectives
- To deliver a range of courses, covering a broad range of
subjects both IT and non-IT, starting at pre-entry level and
offering progression, which will encourage the local community
to return to education. To offer facilities and support for
basic skills delivery, building on links with the existing
South Wye Basic Skills Project.
- To provide a range of on-site support mechanisms such as a
crèche which will encourage participation by those with care
responsibilities.
- To offer information advice and guidance through
Herefordshire College of Technology's IAG team
- To provide a focal point for the delivery of learning
programmes provided by a range of public and private sector
partners. · To establish a facility which is operated and owned
by the partnership and the local community, which will enhance
the quality of life in South Wye.
Activities
The Centre offers a mix of accredited and non-accredited courses
and a range of recreational, vocational and life skills.
A key element includes a drop in Centre for IT and other users.
This drop in facility is used by members of the public to access
e-mails and the internet, to practice skills learned in separate
classes and access local and central government services. On at
least one day per week, tutor support is available whilst at other
times, Centre staff provide support. There is no charge to learners
for this facility. The drop in service is available for
approximately 30 hours per week, plus an additional three hours per
week, which are designated "family sessions" for parents and their
children.
Support services
An on-site crèche is an important part of the provision at the
Centre and is available free of charge to learners. Children from
the age of 2 weeks to 8 years of age have been accommodated in the
crèche and on average the crèche looks after up to 8 children at
any one time, usually for up to two hours at a time.
Further information
For further information on the Centre or this project, please
contact:
Liz Kelso
Centre Development Officer South Wye Learning Centre
Stanberrow Road
Redhill
Hereford
HR2 7NG
Tel: 01432 342075
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