Highlights
Here are some of the highlights of activities that took place during Adult Learners’ Week in May 2011. What have you been doing for Adult Learners’ Week 14 - 20 May 2011? Please email us your highlights with a photo and caption to alw@niace.org.uk
Yorkshire and the Humber Big Sing
The inaugural ‘Yorkshire Big Sing’ brought together, choirs, bands and over 200 members of the public from across Yorkshire to celebrate the joy of music in St George’s Square in Huddersfield.
East of England Regional Awards Ceremony
Adult Learners’ Week in the East of England ended on a high with the Regional Award ceremony, held at Imperial War Museum, Duxford on Friday 20th May.
The awards were presented by Alex Dolan, from BBC Look East.
South West Regional Awards Ceremony
The South West Adult Learners’ Week Award Ceremony was held at Ashton Court Mansion near Bristol on Thursday 19th May. The ceremony, hosted by TV Presenter, Diane Louise Jordan, was a memorable occasion for award winners, nominees and their guests.
Celebrating Dance in Brighton
To celebrate dance as part of Adult Learners’ Week and the Brighton Festival, the Brighton Dance Flash Mob entertained spectators at the Jubilee Library with their interpretation of a scene the US TV show ‘Glee’. They were supported by the Brighton and Hove Adult Learning Group together with Brighton and Hove Jobs.
North West Regional Awards Ceremony
Learners from across the North West shared their inspirational stories with guests at the Regional Award Ceremony which was held at Stockport Art Gallery on Wednesday 18th May.
Learning improves family life
East of England Regional Award Winners Tanya Jane East and Suzanne Jones joined the presenter on Huntingdon Community Radio to talk about how learning has made a huge difference to family life, and has improved their confidence as parents.
Learning across London
In London, students at Westminster Kingsway College shared their achievements by exhibiting their artwork at a celebration event in Camden. Lots of taster sessions were also on offer, including skills swaps, Quick Reads reading groups, sushi making and salsa dancing.
Midlands Regional Awards Ceremony
The Midlands Regional Awards Ceremony took place on Wednesday 18th May at Devonshire Place, Leicester. The event celebrated the achievements of outstanding adult learners across the East and West Midlands.
Adult Learners’ Week Parliamentary Reception
The Adult Learners’ Week Parliamentary Reception was hosted by the co-chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, on Wednesday 18th May. The lively event attracted a range of peers, MPs and key influencers to mark the 20th Adult Learners’ Week. Chaired by Kelvin Hopkins MP, guests heard from John Hayes MP, Gordon Marsden MP and Alan Tuckett, NIACE Chief Executive.
A Focus on Adult Learning in the Guardian
On Tuesday 17th May, coinciding with the Adult Learners’ Week Policy Conference, the Guardian published an eight page paper and online supplement, focussing on the benefits of lifelong learning for people of all ages. This included features on the impact of digital learning, the history of learning provision for adults, as well as the economic impact of investing in all kinds of education.
South East Regional Awards Ceremony
The South East Regional Awards Ceremony was also held at the Museum of London, with a special event to celebrate the achievements of South East award winners on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th May. The achievements of this year’s winners and nominees and previous award winners were celebrated throughout the afternoon. Entertainment was provided by Rebecca Robinson, who recently learnt Italian to support her career development as a classical singer.
London Regional Awards Ceremony
The London Regional Awards Ceremony was held on the morning of Tuesday 17th May at the Museum of London. A range of regional and local awards were presented to winners from across the London area and the achievements of nominees were also celebrated. Entertainment was provided by Henry Hendricks and his band from Crisis Skylight, which offers education and support to transform the lives of homeless people across London.
Sharing innovative learning practices
The afternoon session of the Policy Conference included a lively and stimulating panel session with contributions from:
- James Clegg, Head of Bupa Care Home
- Sharon White, Programme Director for Skills, Reed
- Margaret Hart, Head of Widening Participation and Offender Learning, Open University
- Stephen Uden, Head of Skills & Economic Affairs, Microsoft
- Robin Simpson, CEO, Voluntary Arts England
Adult Learners’ Week Policy Conference
The Adult Learners’ Week Policy Conference, ‘Enriching lives, inspiring learners’ explored how the concepts of culture and community can inspire and motivate adults to become active learners, to enhance their own lives and those of people around them. A welcome by Baroness Blackstone was followed by addresses from Sue Jackson Director of Birkbeck Institute for Lifelong Learning, University of London, and Ursula Howard Visiting Professorial Fellow, Institute of Education.
National Award Ceremony
The National Adult Learners’ Week Awards Ceremony saw the celebration of over 80 winners from across the country. Guests heard about the remarkable achievements of adults who have transformed their lives through learning and have gone on to inspire others to give learning a go. Hosted by TV Presenter and adult learner, Philippa Forrester, the occasion also celebrated the 20th Adult Learners’ Week by inviting previous award winners to share their stories.
Learning Award for Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough was presented with the first ever Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award at the National Award Ceremony. On receiving the award he remarked “I hope that the passion I have - and the passion of my crew and colleagues - in the making of all the series I've been involved in, will continue to help adults continue their learning journeys throughout their lives” He was presented with the award by Vince Cable, the Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive of NIACE.
Adult Learners’ Week in Liverpool
Adult Learners’ Week in Liverpool kickstarted with an event at St George’s Hall in the city centre. With lots of taster sessions on offer, members of the public could try out Zumba, Silk Painting and Bike Maintenance amongst other things. There was also lots of advice on hand from local learning providers about courses on offer in the area.
