Four things we’ve learned from Adult Learners’ Week

Adult Learners’ Week led by NIACE celebrates adult learning and its impact on social cohesion, economic vitality and social mobility. From events to inspiring stories there are many activities taking place this week. So here are five key things from this year’s 23rd annual event…

1. Remember the European perspective

NIACE is the UK national coordinator for the European Agenda for adult learning and aims to raise awareness of adult learning and give a higher profile to EU activities – such as the Erasmus+ programme. You can find out more about how to access funding for Adult Education mobility projects and Strategic Partnerships on the Erasmus+ website.

2. Don’t stereotype social media

Broadening horizons: the ETNA project

This year’s event hashtag was #ALW14 and learners have been using social media to share their Adult Learners’ Week activities, photos and news. Under the LLP the Grundtvig Partnership ETNA project has showed social media has no limits. Turner Contemporary Gallery worked with five partners to expand their work with the blank canvas group. Based in one of the UK’s oldest seaside resorts, Margate, it brought together participants of all ages to help tackle the town’s ageing population feeling isolated and suffering age stereotypes. The group took part in digital photography, social media and film making workshops alongside activities which boosted participants’ confidence and empowered them to communicate using IT.

“I was totally isolated for nearly three years, prior to the trip I was an isolated person, I have a hearing problem and I guess that’s something I have been hiding for years… the challenge is not there anymore because I accept myself as a person… I will not be isolated any more.” – Blank Canvas participant

3. Everyone learns differently

Every year the Adult Learners’ Week Award ceremony is held to celebrate the inspiring stories of adult learners across the UK. The Bad Boys’ Bakery is a social enterprise inside HM Prison Brixton that helps people with convictions improve their employability and social skills. Supported by the European Social Fund and Working Links social enterprise, the initiative first set up by Gordon Ramsay in 2012 has gone from strength-to-strength. You can view their story along with the other winners’ videos on the NIACE Youtube channel.

4. It’s never too late to learn

Speaking in an article in the Telegraph, NIACE Chief Executive David Hughes said: “…those who benefited most from their initial education in terms of employment, income, health and well-being continue to learn, whereas those who did not do well in education in early life shy away from learning opportunities presented to them as adults. We want to change that, because learning new skills is vital as people live and work longer.”

You can read more stories about adult learning projects funded through Grundtvig in our Building for Erasmus+ case study booklet

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