Nottinghamshire Champions Learning
Setting up a “Can’t paint, won’t paint” session in an empty shop is just one way of getting people who wouldn’t dream of looking at a college prospectus to join in with some learning, but Nottinghamshire’s Learning Champions are full of ideas.
As members of the community, they are powerful but approachable advocates for learning, and as well as recruiting others, they often find that volunteering helps their own personal and career development. Some have qualified in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, and have got jobs at the local college, and one has been approached by a district council to become a Community Champion.
The 57 CLCs are supported by 30 volunteer mentors who already work with the eight public, private and voluntary sector partner organisations. The mentors give support and encouragement to the CLCs and all are offered training with the support of the WEA.
“The success of our project has been very much down to the enthusiasm, energy, drive and commitment of the CLCs. Their passion for learning is infectious and inspirational.”