The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) in England and Scotland has just published its Annual Impact Report which includes survey results from its learners around issues of mental health and wellbeing. One of the findings is that WEA students visit their GP far less frequently than the national average and this leads to the suggestion that...
Network for Adult Learning Across Borders
Today saw a brilliant meeting of NALAB (Network for Adult Learning Across Borders), a collaboration of the key advocacy bodies from across UK and Ireland – AONTAS, Learning and Work Institute, Scotland’s Learning Partnership and FALNI. Over 90 delegates heard contributions from all jurisdictions around the state of play for adult learning, hopes for moving...
Building collaboration across Ireland
This morning a mix of practitioners from across the adult learning sectors in NI met up with members of AONTAS to learn more about what it does and what it offers members. After greetings and introductions led by the AONTAS CEO, Niamh O’Reilly, participants heard some background information from Dearbháil Lawless, (Head of Advocacy). Mike...
Belfast Recovery College wins its 2nd STAR Award
Today AONTAS announced the winners in its annual STAR Awards and Belfast Recovery College was the winner in the Learner Voice category. The award is in recognition of their “Making Silent Voices Heard”, a unique Learning and Leadership Initiative that places the Learner Voice at the core of the college. Through advocacy and building learner...
Launch of the Learn Well, Live Well Report
On 24th February the Impact Forum and Belfast Learning City held the online launch of their joint publication, Learn Well, Live Well: adult learning and health and wellbeing. We were delighted to have messages of support from the two Junior Ministers, Gary Middleton and Declan Kearney. We also heard from Raúl Valdés-Cotera (UNESCO UIL) author...
Building back bolder: learning for life in post-pandemic Britain.
The Centenary Commission on Adult Education has organised two debates to be chaired by former Speaker, John Bercow. On Monday 8th March, 6-7 p.m., the question will be Why does adult education matter now? John Bercow will discuss this question with: Lord (David) Blunkett, former Secretary of State for Education and Home Secretary Helen Chicot, Place Integration Lead at...
Network of Adult Learning Across Borders (NALAB)
As part of the AONTAS-led events for the 2021 AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival, this policy event will bring the members of the Network for Adult Learning Across Borders (NALAB), Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, together to discuss our shared vision for educational equality and explore the variety of approaches taken by each in...
Levelling up Adult Community Education
A new report out on provision in England looking at the data available and making recommendations for government, local government and adult community education providers. Very interesting set of recommendations, including – Establish a branded adult education centre in everytown. Planning rules should promote multi-usecommunity centres which can be used as outreachposts for adult education....
Launch of Learn Well, Live Well Report
The Learn Well, Live Well: adult learning and health and wellbeing report has been produced over the past few months as part of the UK programme for the European Agenda on Adult Learning (managed by the Learning and Work Institute). It has been compiled and edited by the NI Impact Forum on Adult Learning and...
Two Belfast nominations for STAR Awards
Belfast Metropolitan College – shortlisted for Social Inclusion (large organisations) The Centre for Childhood Studies at Belfast Metropolitan College, alongside the Ashton Centre and numerous other partners within the wider LEMUS project, aimed at bringing unemployed adult community learners of all ages together, from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds, across all four corners...