LAL launches learning from home offer to support adults across the Red Rose County

Adult learners across the Red Rose County can now access classes and resources through Lancashire Adult Learning’s website after the organisation completed a switch to online teaching.

The move means learners right across Lancashire can continue to access valuable resources, classes, and expert advice and guidance from LAL’s tutors while social distancing measures remain in place throughout the country.

Included in the activities offered online through the LAL website are Employability, Volunteering, Health and Wellbeing, Family Learning, Arts and Media, Languages and ICT resources, enabling adult learners to enjoy learning from the comfort of their homes. Each week, the online offer is being supported through interactive content on Lancashire Adult Learning’s Facebook page.

Lancashire Adult Learning is also continuing to support existing employer partners such as Jobcentre Plus, by providing one-to-one support to new and existing customers that are referred to LAL through the partnership who are seeking employment. Similarly, LAL is also working to help 50 low level former offenders through a partnership with the Community Rehabilitation Company.

Sophie Wilding, from Leyland, has completed First Aid courses with LAL, and is looking to increase her volunteering through LAL’s offer. She said: “The course gave me the confidence to give effective First Aid and remain calm in stressful situations, and I recently put my First Aid skills into practice when I helped to care for a man who had taken a tumble. The course also helped create links with the local community that I otherwise may not have had.

“I’m now currently volunteering within my community and I have set up a Facebook Group called ‘Community Network & Outreach Service Leyland & Surrounding’ on Facebook with more than 1,700 members supporting and receiving help. I have been helping to co-ordinate packages being delivered to families in need and care workers.

“I have also been able to give Frontline Snack Packs and care packs to those employed in key worker roles to lighten the load they have had at this difficult time and also as a little thank you from the community.  These packages have been given to the ambulance and fire services, district nurse team, local prison staff and frontline nursing teams.”

Alison Smedley, from Lancaster, is one LAL learner to have continued learning online on a Vintage Crafts course. Alison said: “Prior to the lockdown, I had started a Vintage Crafts course at Heysham Library where I had successfully done linocut and enjoyed making a greetings card.

“I think it’s fantastic the course continued weekly online because it provided some structure while at home. Drawing was one of the sessions, and another week it was an eco-craft task. I was very pleased with what I created – it gave me a sense of completion, and it also inspired my son to enjoy some creative time. I will definitely take a look at more of the LAL resources online.”

Andy Parkin, Director of Curriculum at Lancashire Adult Learning, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we are able to continue supporting our many thousands of learners across Lancashire through online and teaching and learning.

“Colleagues have been working non-stop since social distancing measures were implemented in order to make this possible, and we’re also pleased to be able to offer some continuity to our business partners, including Jobcentre Plus, during an extremely challenging time.”

In February 2018, Lancashire Adult Learning was named as the inaugural winner of the national Adult and Community Learning Provider of the Year at the TES FE Awards.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.