GEL Governance, Empowerment and Learning

1. Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

2. GELGovernance, Empowerment and Learning Research Report 2005-2006 Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

3. Purpose of Research The purpose of the research: To determine the barriers and incentives to learning for specific age groups who are themselves the target groups for the GEL Equal project. Questions for the research: Developed with the staff from the Neighbourhood College and Neighbourhood Projects Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

4. Methodology • Questionnaires • Focus Groups • Timeframe • Sample • Staff Training Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

5. Headline findings: Questionnaires • Who we spoke to • Where they live • What they do e.g. Employed, Unemployed, Retired etc Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

6. Demographics of respondents • 69% female • 9% minority ethnicity • 13% age 16-20, 25%: 21-30, 29%: 31-49 16%: 50-64, 14% over 65. Knowledge and use of Neighbourhood Projects • Heard of GNC 84 % • Used College Services 47% Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

7. Use of GNC: Curriculum areas (1) Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

8. Use of GNC: Curriculum areas (2) Reasons given for not using GNC • Too busy (personal circumstances) • Don’t know range of subjects offered (awareness) • Childcare (personal circumstances) • Don’t like subjects (content & format) • Time of classes (location & access) Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

9. Incentives to use GNC Of the 306 total responses given: • 31% said courses that were work or qualification related; • 18% related to hobbies or interests and • 18% said meeting people; • 15% related to keeping minds active and • 11% related to ‘feeling good about myself’ • 7% responded with other ideas. Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

10. Preferred Location for Learning Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

11. Duration of study What length of course? The most popular course lengths were: • 43% 2 hours a week for 12 weeks • 23% one evening a week for 6 weeks • 12% one day • Flexibility was a key issue for focus groups Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

12. Timings When are you able to learn? • 29% prefer morning courses • 26% afternoon courses • 28% evening courses • 7% weekend courses • Evenings between 5 and 9pm. The largest number preferred between 6 and 9pm. Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

13. Other factors • Mix of class • Parking • Local provision • Ground floor • Mental health support • Mobility or disability issues • Class sizes MARKETING: Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

14. Getting involved with GNC Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

15. Headline Findings: Focus groups (1) What makes people want to learn after they have left school? Key factors: • Work related • Identity issues • Confidence • Time of life • Enjoyment Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

16. Headline Findings: Focus groups (2) What stops people learning after they leave school? Key factors • Cost • Confidence • Location and access (including transport) • Course content and format • Personal circumstances (including lack of time) • Awareness Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

17. Headline Findings: focus groups (3) Incentives to return to learn Key issues identified: • Marketing • Location related issues • Course content e.g. Qualification/non qualification issues • Support services available • Flexibility • Direct incentives Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

18. Headline Findings: Focus groups (4) If you could learn anything what would it be? Subjects identified fell into seven broad categories: • Sports/physical activity • Care, health and beauty • Music and drama • Arts and crafts • IT related • Academic • Practical Skills Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

19. Headline Findings: focus groups (5) What would encourage people to get involved in the college? Key motivators identified were: • Community involvement • Social • Practical • Curriculum related Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

20. How do you think we are doing as a Neighbourhood Project/College? (1) Complimentary and supportive: • Nice to know its there • The facilities are needed • Atmosphere brilliant, welcoming, friendly • Staff friendly and helpful • Impressed with what’s on offer and service received • Good Foundation to build on, huge potential • Very supportive and proactive in community learning • Think we are trying very hard • Think its great what we are doing, very good Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

21. How do you think we are doing as a Neighbourhood Project/College? (2) Suggested improvements: • College should involve residents in setting the curriculum • People don’t know where we are • Need to raise profile of the Project, lack of awareness of Project • Need branded leaflets • Need to go into local groups to give out information • Use the personal touch • Concerns re future funding • Excessive form filling Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

22. Conclusions and Recommendations Issues raised: • Childcare • Curriculum • Timing of provision • Location • Cost • Marketing • Involvement/governance Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference