Family Festive Spectacular kicks off a series of Lancashire Adult Learning events to get people into the seasonal spirit

The season of goodwill would not be the same without Lancashire Adult Learning’s annual Family Festive event – which is why staff went all out to create a spectacular online experience for 275 families.

A staple in the calendar, the ongoing restrictions because of Covid-19 meant that LAL’s festive extravaganza for families in 2020 had to switch online – and the fully-subscribed event was well-received by all who attended.

An action-packed agenda, delivered through Zoom, saw families from right across Lancashire enjoy a variety of games, songs, crafts, festive bingo, edible treat making and more to get them into the seasonal spirit.

It was the first of a trio of festive events for families right across Lancashire delivered online by LAL, with back-to-back Family Festive Fun sessions on Monday 21 December, 1pm-3pm, and Tuesday 22 December, 10am-2pm, coming up next week involving crafts, games and activities.

Ilona Ramm, from Preston, attended the Family Festive Spectacular with her daughter Lilyah, 7. She said: “The Family Festive Spectacular was a lovely event, and my daughter and I really enjoyed it.

“The staff at LAL were amazing and put so much effort into each activity. I can’t believe how much was packed into one-and-a-half hours. This was the first course we have done with Lancashire Adult Learning and we have booked on to another event – Family Festive Fun on 22 December.”

Sarah Ashworth, from Nelson, attended with her three children Elizabeth, 11, Aimee, 7, and James, 4. She said: “We really look forward to the LAL festive events every year and we were really disappointed to think that this year the event wouldn’t happen.

“Then we heard about the online Family Festive Spectacular on Facebook and we got excited again. We all enjoyed the activities and it really got us in the festive mood.”

Assistant Principal for Adult Learning, Andrew Parkin, said: “The team at Lancashire Adult Learning has pulled out all the stops to bring some normality to this festive period, and I’m delighted that our spectacular was fully booked and that families thoroughly enjoyed it – it is the best endorsement we can get.

“Coming up now are our two Family Festive Fun events next week, and I would be thrilled to see more people coming along and joining in with the activities we have planned to get people into seasonal spirit. Anyone interested in attending can visit the LAL website at www.lal.ac.uk to register.”

In addition to Lancashire Adult Learning’s festive events, adult learners in the Red Rose County are being encouraged to ‘take control’ and make a positive start to 2021 through a new offer of courses designed with the current climate in mind.

The new courses, which start in January, are largely free, flexible and available online, and are delivered by Nelson and Colne College Group – made up of Lancashire Adult Learning, Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College. They include courses to boost health and wellbeing, options to retrain, classes to improve digital skills, and family learning opportunities.

Further information about all of the new range of courses for adults can be found on Lancashire Adult Learning’s website at www.lal.ac.uk.

Enrolment can also be completed on the website, or by calling 0333 003 1717.