The Challenge
Statistics
had revealed a poor take up of further education courses in
the Tewkesbury and Ashchurch area. With two major employers
closing down, a lot of local people needed to learn new skills.
Ashchurch
Parish Council got together with neighbouring Tewkesbury Town
Council and the local college, Gloscat, to bring the latest
technology into the heart of its community.
Local
parish councillor Steve Lewis says the council took the view
that it had a social responsibility to encourage economic regeneration.
Developing
the idea
Being
in a good position to understand the needs of the community
and having established strong local links, Ashchurch Parish
Council initially investigated setting up an IT learning centre
in partnership with Tewkesbury Town Council.
 |
| Computer
skills help local people access information |
As
they felt they were stepping outside their powers to manage
the project themselves, they turned to Gloscat. Colleges
have a commitment to develop first-step learning opportunities
in local communities so it is a natural progression to work
with parish councils.
The
National Association of Local Councils says there is terrific
scope for parish and town councils to provide IT access points
for their communities:
"Local
people have a right to one-stop access to key information on
issues such as health services, council tax and education. These
kind of partnerships are an excellent means of improving educational
opportunities, particularly in rural areas where social exclusion
is increasingly a central issue."
Both
councils provided free venues for the courses within the locality.
Making
it happen
Government
Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding was successfully applied
for through Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development
Unit to buy laptop computers.
Among
those who have benefited from the courses at Ashchurch Parish
Council offices are local retired people.
After
getting to grips with the latest technology they are now confidently
producing useful items such as gift tags, CD covers, spreadsheets,
databases and a newsletter for a local gardening club. They
overcame their fear of computers and now have something in common
with their grandchildren!
Key
tips
- Distribute a questionnaire, perhaps with the parish newsletter,
asking about the learning aspirations and needs of local
people
- Find an accessible local venue
- Contact the adult education department of your local college
or your local Adult Education Consortium (through Gloucestershire
County Council's Adult Continuing Education & Training service
(ACET)) to put on classes to meet local needs
- Generate funding through ACET, the local College, Adult
Education Consortium, and the Learning and Skills Council
- Hold an Open Day to give people a chance to try out the
classes
Contact:
Ashchurch Parish Council. tel: 01684 297938 or see
Tewkesbury Town Council, tel: 01684 294639 or see
Who
can help?
Key
organisations that could offer help and support in the development
of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts
Directory. Further information on funding sources is
available from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development
Unit on 01452 425702.
Funding
sources
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Other useful contacts
|
- Ashchurch
Parish Council
-
Gloscat
- SRB
4 (Single Regeneration Budget - Government funding to
regenerate rural towns)
- Tewkesbury
Town Council
|
- Colleges of further and higher education
- District councils
- Gloucestershire County Council
- Adult Continuing Education & Training Service
- Adult Education Consortium
- Learning and Skills Council
|
