April 2008

Adult Learners' Week - Events Published

February 2008

Successful Scottish Cultural Evening Enjoyed by All

Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre has never seen the like.   People from all backgrounds, up giving it 'lalldy' to the Gay Gordons, pondering over Burn's translations and swigging down a half or two of Irn Bru to partner the vegetarian haggis.   Pictures of the event can be seen by clicking on this link.

February 2008

Adult Learners' Week: The Planning Begins

Planning has already started for events in May designed mainly to celebrate the learning achievements of adults.   Last year there were nearly 200 events across South Lanarkshire and among them were tasters to encourage new and returning learners to discover that learning can also be fun.   Anne Harvey of South Lanarkshire Council's Community Learning Service will co-ordinate the activities this year. 

Anne said "Adult Learners' Week 2008 is a festival of learning with the learner at the centre.   Along with our partner agencies in the Voluntary and Business sectors we hope to make ALW 2008 the best yet." 

If you need more information, or want to get involved, you can contact Anne on 01698 45 21 54.

January 2008

Learners’ Forum: Working and Celebrating

November 2007

Learners Take Charge!

East Kilbride and Cambuslang local learning forums have held follow-up meetings to agree membership and elect local representatives to serve on their forum committee. Learners are now discussing proposals in terms of identified needs and priorities for their local area. Local literacies learners’ forums are working towards developing an action plan to take forward their objectives. All learners and representatives have agreed to establish a larger area wide learners’ forum to meet and discuss how they can get involved in the calendar of events.   The learners themselves are responsible for calling, chairing and taking minutes at local monthly and quarterly meetings and providing feedback to the wider area forum.   To read what one person thinks of the importance these forums will make click here.

September 2007

Community Learning Service get £3,000 to set up Learners' Forum

The Community Learning Service was awarded a grant of £3000 to set up a learners’ forum in the local area.  The Service hosted an event in Cambuslang to celebrate International Literacy Day and also discussed the proposal to establish a literacies learners’ forum with those learners in attendance.  The green light was given so it's full steam ahead.

August 2007

Creative Writing Group's Pencils are Wriggling

Kirkmuirhill's Creative Writing group start up again at the end of the month.  They meet most Wednesdays in the Community Flat at 10.30 - 12.30, but it's better to phone the flat first just to make sure they're there- Tel: 01555 895 894.

August 2007

Literacy Classes and English Classes get Back to Work

The Community Learning Service's classes start back this month.   If you know people who could take advantage of these then phone either 01698 452154 or 0141 584 2531 or click on this contact us link.

August 2007

Proposal for Literacies Learners' Forum

The Community Learning Service have applied to Learning Connections for money to help set up a Literacies Learners' Forum for our area- watch this space for further developments.

May 2007

Successful launch of 'Past Present & Future of Gypsy Travellers'

The Past, Present and Future of the Gypsy Travellers, was launched on 25th May at Low Parks Museum. The event, organised by the Community Learning Service, was well attended by people from various organisations and the Travellers themselves. Congratulations are due to all the authors of the stories.  Click on the picture and see the bigger version.

May 2007

It's Adult Learners' Week!

Check out the council's web site on www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk , the local colleges or pop into your local library (within South Lanarkshire) and see what's on offer at this year's events.

April 2007

Book Launch 'Past Present & Future of Gypsy Travellers'

The book is due to launched as part of the Adult Learners' Week celebrations on Thursday 24th May in Low Parks Museum- by invite only.  There will also be an exhibition on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th which is open to the public.

March 2007

Adult Learners' Week

This years Adult Learners' Week events are set to beat all records in terms of the range and number.  With an expected 150 events across South Lanarkshire there is sure to be something for the new and experienced learner.

September 2006

Recipe Book Launch

A new recipe book featuring recipes from nearly 24 countries was launched at Council Offices Wednesday 30th August.   Cllr Smith (Chair of the Council's Education Committee) praised the work done by those who contributed, many of whom were part of Community Learning's English classes.   Pictured left, Cllr Smith officially launches book at LEMAG (Lanarkshire Ethnic Minority Action Group) meeting.   Pictured right, 5 of the learners show off their book.   Click the picture to see the bigger version.

August 2006:

A Lark in the Park

South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Learning Team, in partnership with the Salvation Army, held an enjoyable Treasure Hunt & Barbecue in Chatelherault Country Park Hamilton.

The event was a huge success and special thanks go to all the learners who attended and brought along their friends and families, who also joined in the fun.   The diversity of South Lanarkshire’s population was represented, with learners and friends from many different nationalities attending. 

Adding to the success of the day was the excellent support from the staff at Chatelherault and the volunteers who escorted the groups around the Treasure Hunt trail.

Winners of the Treasure Hunt received prizes for 1st & 2nd place for both the adults and children.

The event organisers, Dorothy Thomson and Greta Fordyce – ALN workers - commented on the good turn out by the learners who attended and the lovely sunny weather which made the whole day happy and enjoyable for everyone.

Andrea Batchelor, Head of Service (Inclusion), Education Resources, South Lanarkshire Council, said,

 “I was delighted to join in this Treasure Hunt and Barbecue which gave learners and workers the chance to come together informally and have a really good time.  It was lovely to see so many people from different backgrounds enjoying the summer weather, getting to know each other and celebrating the hard work they do the rest of the year.”

Anyone interested in finding out more information on Community Based Learning in South Lanarkshire, please call:  

01698 452154 or 0141 584 2531

Click here to see some of the pictures from the event.

June 2006:

Hindu Association Cultural Event

The annual cultural event was held in Airdrie.   Click here and read a review of the event.

May 2006:

Adult Learners' Week

The annual learners' celebration for learners in Hamilton and Clydesdale was held in the Popinjay Hotel.  Click here and read a review of the event by one of the learners.

May 2006:

Adult Learners' Week

The annual national celebration of Adults learning took place this year between May 20^th and 26^th. The purpose is both to celebrate the achievements of learners and to raise awareness of what learning opportunities are available.

In South Lanarkshire over 50 events took place involving a wide range of services agencies and organisations.   These events ranged from informal drop-ins to provide information and taster sessions to large scale formal presentations with scores of people attending.

If you took part in any of the celebrations then contact us  and tell us all about it.

May 2006:

International Recipe Book Launch

Groups of South Lanarkshire learners, whose first language is not English, have worked together to publish an international recipe book.   It contains more than fifty recipes from around the world and is to be launched during Adult Learners' Week 2006.

March 2006:

Urban Writers Launch Book- 'Write Now, Write Then'

Creative Writing – Urban Memories and Reminiscence

As part of the Urban Cultural Programme, South Lanarkshire Council in partnership with the Millennium Commission, Scottish Arts Council and the National Lottery engaged with learners across South Lanarkshire to publish snapshots of social history in the four main towns of Hamilton, East Kilbride, Rutherglen and Cambuslang.

Fifty-one learners contributed to the project, working in groups within each of the four towns.  Each learner had their own Individual Learning Plan to record their work, and each group was facilitated by an Adult Literacy and Numeracy Tutor.  

Specialist support was also provided by Museums Access and Lanarkshire Family History Society, who delivered workshops around the themes of creative writing, family history, animation and scriptwriting.

Learners also visited Strathclyde Genealogy Centre and The Rutherglen Story exhibition to work with museum artefacts and records.   They also contributed to an audio commentary for visually impaired people to enable access for all, to examples of social history and sculpture located in prominent local buildings.

The written work which the learners produced is published in “Write Now, Write Then” and can be found in main libraries throughout South Lanarkshire.   The book will also be featured in this web site in the near future.

October 2005:

Kirkmuirhill Writers Launch Book

Kirkmuirhill writers are delighted to announce the launch of their book 'A Hard Life'.   They would also like to say a big thanks to everyone who came along to the launch, including MSP Karen Gillon.

"The support we received on the night from friends, family and representatives of local organisations was much appreciated as this is our first publication," group secretary Ethyl Smith said.

Anyone wishing to join the group will be made very welcome.   We meet in the Target Centre, Thornton Road, Kirkmuirhill each Wednesday, 10.30 am - noon.

Watch this space for 'Hard Life Two' in the future.

August 2005:

Literacy and Numeracy Classes

Adult Literacy & Numeracy Classes have started back, see the list of opportunities:

May 2005:

Celebration of Cultural Diversity

The East Kilbride Hilton was the setting for a Celebration of Cultural Diversity for Adult learners Week. South Lanarkshire Learners promoted the traditions of India, Japan, China, Ecuador and Gaelic Scotland. Visitors to the event had the chance to learn to use chopsticks, have their hands painted by Indian henna artists, try a spot of salsa dancing and learn some Gaelic. Feedback suggests a good time was had by all!  

May 2005:

Official Launch of South Lanarkshire Learners' Book

South Lanarkshire Literacy Learners' book 'Voices' is now available for loan from all libraries throughout South Lanarkshire.   Over forty authors plus invited guests and dignitaries attended the launch at the Avonbridge Hotel in Hamilton.   Councillor Smith, Chair of Education, praised the authors for the quality and range of the articles, a topic picked up on by book designer Paul McCormick. One of the learners commented that there was a buzz about the evening and that the mixture of speeches and informal networking was just about right.    Signed copies of the book were presented to Councillors Smith and Mitchell and also to the Manager of South Lanarkshire Council's Libraries and Community Learning Service, Diana Barr.   Thanks to all who attended for the work they did and thanks also to the Learning Connections arm of Communities Scotland who provided the money for the book to be published.  

May 2005:

Lanarkshire Hindu Welfare Association Celebration

Lanarkshire Hindu Welfare Association celebrated their 3rd annual event on Saturday 14th May at Sir John Wilson Town Hall Airdrie.  

Everyone is shaped by their own culture whether they know it or not.  Our very thoughts and actions are focus on our culture.  These cultural thoughts and actions are so ingrained that we don’t even think about them until we are confronted with another.  

Therefore, the aim of this event was to make people aware of Hindu arts and cultures and increase understanding and tolerance by presenting examples of Indian languages, dances and instruments, with diverse people from various ages working together to enrich the larger community and to develop better understanding of the cultures of India and Bangla Desh. 

Though Hindus are known as people coming from different cultural beliefs but the innumerable languages spoken are not known.  This evening emphasised on few of the languages spoken in different parts of India.Various distinguish guests from both the Council participated.  They were, Consul General of India Mr Om Prakash Bhola along with the Provost Patrick Connolly of NLC and Deputy Provost Mary McNeill of SLC.  Lanarkshire Hindu Welfare Association was proud to host this event and share their culture.  Over 230 participants celebrated this event.  Asian culture was shared through songs and dances.  Samples of exotic foods were also tasted.  

March 2005:

Publication Date Announced for South Lanarkshire Learners' Book

The South Lanarkshire Literacy Learners' book is to be launched on Tuesday 24th May in the Avonbridge Hotel. Contact us for more information.

February 2005:

Local Writer's Poem Chosen for National Library of Scotland Valentine Event.

Cathie Litterick, a creative writer from Kirkmuirhill, has had her Haiku chosen as one of the four National Library of Scotland's Valentine e-cards.   Click here to read Cathie's poem.

December 2004:

Celebration of Learning

Local learners from Cambuslang and Rutherglen received certificates to mark their achievements at the Huts.   The event, organised by staff and volunteers at CREATE, was held to celebrate St Andrews Day as well as recognise learners' achievements.

Depute Provost Russell Clearie, accompanied by other local councillors, came along to present learners with awards for courses in 'Computing for the Terrified' and 'Digital Photography' which was the result of partnership working between Community Learning, Create and Motherwell College.

Kim Jackson, who is Chair at Create, said; "It was an absolutely fabulous day.   It was very, very busy.  We had about 140 adults through the door and had children from MacDonald's nursery planting some bulbs and trees."

Those who attended the event enjoyed traditional Scottish fayre from O'Neil's cafe such as haggis, neeps, tatties, shortbread and even a few nips of whisky.

Why don't you arrange an event to celebrate your groups learning achievements.   Remember, Adult Learners' Week events are on between May 21st - 27th 2005.  If you want more information contact Iain on 01698 452154.

November 2004:

South Lanarkshire Learners to Publish Book

The Community Learning Service, who manage this site for the learners in South Lanarkshire,  was successful in bidding for £3,000 from Learning Connections Publication Grants Fund.  

The money will allow existing articles, most of which are currently shown on this site, to be professionally published in book form and have it distributed throughout Scotland.   The book will be made available in local libraries. Any questions on the above please contact us.

September 2004:

International Literacy Day

Wednesday, 8^th September was International Literacy Day, a day that focused on learning around the world.   One of the themes of this year’s day was ‘swap a book’ encouraging people to swap books with each other.  

There are a number of ways you can still get involved.  That goes for your tutors as well. 

1. If you have read a book that you enjoyed recommend it to someone else.

2. You can ask for recommendations from other people.

3. Read a book, recommended to you by someone else, that you would not normally read.

Let us know how you get on.

Watch out later in the year for news on next year’s International Literacy Day and if you have any ideas for projects why not let us know.

August 2004:

Literacy and Numeracy Classes

Adult Literacy & Numeracy Classes have started back, see the list of opportunities:

May 2004:

Cultural Diversity Day

Over sixty people attended the Cultural Diversity Day organised by South Lanarkshire's literacy workers.   Over 14 different nationalities were represented at the event in May 2004 and it proved to be a great success, with the participants sharing their learning and life experiences.

May 2004:

Adult Learners' Conference

South Lanarkshire's Learners' Conference, held in the Bellshill Hilton, proved to be a great success for all those involved.   Lindsay Cook, Community Learning Worker, said, "I felt the Learners' Conference generated a definite feel-good factor amongst the learners.   The workshops I assisted with had positive lively discussions which stemmed from the participants' obvious commitment to learning in the community, and as such was a credit to all of them.   I was delighted to witness the good interaction amongst the ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) learners and the parents from Larkhall in these workshops.   Both parties learned from each other's experiences and were a source of information and encouragement to each other.   I look forward to such future experiences in the development of Learners forums and their related activities".

June 2004:

Volunteers' Reception

Some of the Literacy and Numeracy 'Tutor Assistants' who attended a reception in their honour at Low Parks Museum, Hamilton.   The reception was held to thank the volunteers throughout South Lanarkshire for their work .   Cllr Smith (Chair of Education) and her two Deputes Cllr Morgan and Cllr Mitchell attended, demonstrating the Council's level of support for this branch of education.

August 2004:

Awareness Raising Roadshow

South Lanarkshire's Community Learning Service in partnership with ALVO (Association of Local Voluntary Agencies) held a series of events throughout South Lanarkshire to raise awareness and offer practical assistance in areas such as learning opportunities, educational guidance, grant applications and volunteering opportunities.

Copyright © 2004  [South Lanarkshire Community Learning Service].

All rights reserved.  Revised: 05/13/08.