European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion 28 th February 2012

Hampshire Learning Over 16,000 learners Over 50 providers Courses delivered at over 300 locations

Hampshire Learning promotes and delivers a wide range of area-based learning opportunities which support skills and personal development for adults to meet the needs of employers and individuals, both now and in the future.

Why Target Gosport? The study of the 2007 Index of Multiple Deprivation shows Gosport scores consistently highly on education, geographical barriers, living environment, income deprivation and crime

Gosport Skills and Employment Board Report (March 2010) This report recommended More informal provision to improve basic and informal skills such as confidence, communication and life skills Programmes were required to motivate and give aspiration to young people ICT training should be extended to the 50 plus age group The learner’s journey should be seamless

Partnership Working This project supports learning in deprived communities supports employability and improving incomes promotes community and civic participation Hampshire Learning is working with St Vincent College to develop the “Out There Project”

Funding The project is government funded The funding is aimed at under-represented groups in the community and is used to encourage disengaged adults back into learning

Project Aims The aim of the project is to offer inclusive learning to adults in Gosport, who would not normally access other learning opportunities, helping them to develop skills and gain qualifications. To complement existing provision in the Gosport area trying new ways of learning in the hope that a different approach would breakdown some of the barriers to learning this community traditionally faces

How we started the project A pilot project with built in flexibility The project worked with local community development officers to find out what courses local people wanted Most courses were free Started at a central location Courses offered with crèche provision

What have we learned so far? Learners feel more confident in familiar surroundings not necessarily a college Learners prefer to learn within a group where they already feel safe and secure Learners require programmes to build their confidence before they move onto accredited and substantive learning Learners do not always want a qualification, it is essential to recognise that informal learning can still have a huge impact on a learners’ quality of life

Courses offered include Job search Introduction to customer service Confidence building Introduction to childcare First aid for parents Sewing for beginners

Next steps Learners can move onto longer accredited courses either in the community or at a college Learners may volunteer within their community Learners improve their employability prospects

Contact details Tracy Baker Quality and Curriculum Development Officer Hampshire Learning Children's Services Hampshire County Council The Castle, Winchester Hampshire SO23 8UG Direct Line: Mobile: