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The Adult Basic Skills Strategy
Unit
Adult and Community Learning Fund (ACLF)
The Adult and Community Learning Fund provided grants for
voluntary and community organisations and local partnerships
in England. There have been six bidding rounds since the fund
was set up by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
in 1998. In 2004 the fund was transferred to the Learning and Skills Council. More
Website: www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/aclf
Adult Dyslexia Organisation (ADO)
http://alresources.wetpaint.com/
This is a gateway website listing adult learning resources, with a focus on Scotland.
Amity Reading Clubs
Amity is a voluntary organisation which provides one-to-one literacy tuition for adults with special learning difficulties, through three clubs operating in south east London. Volunteers are recuited and trained to support work with students. The website provides access to training materials.
Contact: 61 Cedar Road, Sturry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 0JG.
Telephone: 01227 711 012. Website: www.amity.org.uk
Avanti Books
Avanti specialises in books for adult education and support for basic skills tuition.
Contact: Avanti Books, Unit 9, The io Centre, Whittle Way,
Arlington Business Park, Stevenage SG1 2BD. Tel: 01438 747000.
Fax is 01438 74113. Website: www.avantibooks.com
Basic Skills Agency (BSA)
The Basic Skills Agency is the national agency for literacy,
numeracy and related skills for England and Wales. It is funded primarily by central government but is an independent
organisation. It provides advice and support on developing high quality programmes
to help children and adults improve their
basic skills.
Contact: Basic Skills Agency, Commonwealth House, 1 - 19 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1NU. Tel: 020 7405 4017. Fax: 020 7404 5038. Website: www.basic-skills.co.uk
The Observatory of basic
skills- www.basic-skills-observatory.co.uk
- includes information on policy, practice and research
on literacy, numeracy and language across all age ranges.
The Basic Skills Agency Resource Centre is located at the Institute of Education in London is a reference-only collection of basic skills teaching materials for adults and young people. The library catalogue is available online via the website, visit www.ioe.ac.uk/library/bsa
Since 2001 the Basic Skills Agency has overseen the Welsh Assembly Government’s National Basic Skills Strategy.
Contact: The Basic Skills Agency, PO Box 144, Rhyl LL22 8ZN. Tel: 0845 602 1654. Email: walesenquiries@basic-skills.co.uk. Website: www.basic-skills-wales.org.
Birmingham Core Skills Partnership
This partnership exists as part of Birmingham's wider strategy
to raise levels, and excede national targets, of literacy,
numeracy and supporting IT skills. The partnership works through
key groups, including pre-school children, schools, young
adults, the unemployed, employers and volunteers.
Contact: Birmingham Core Skills Partnership, 100 Broad Street,
Birmingham B15 1AE. Tel: 0121 248 8083. Website: www.coreskills.co.uk.
Cambridge
Training and Development Ltd
Provides multimedia and paper resources for adult learners,
including ESOL learners, aimed at improving language, literacy
and numeracy. For more information visit: www.ctad.co.uk
or call 01223 470480
Campaign for Learning
Campaign for Learning was launched in 1996 by RSA, with the
aim of creating a 'learning society' in the UK in which everyone
participates in education and training (both formal and informal)
throughout their lives. The campaign promotes opportunities for and the benefits of lifelong learning through national awareness days, training and seminars, events and promotions. It organises Family Learning Week
in October each year.
Contact: Campaign for Learning, 19 Buckingham Street, London
WC2N 6EF. Tel: 020 7930 1111. Fax: 020 7930 1551. Website:
www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk
Centre for Excellence in
Leadership
Established in 2003 as part of the Government's Success
for All Strategy, to provide leaders and managers within the
learning and skills sector with programmes and services to
support them in leading their institutions.
Contact: 3rd Floor, 10 Greycoat Place, London SW1P 1SB: Tel: 0870 060 3278 Website: www.centreforexcellence.org.uk/
Communities Scotland
www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov is a government website that aims to provide easy access to information on a wide range of subjects from the government. An adult learning section helps people find out about courses and financial support for learning and is run by the University for Industry (UfI). Educational Guidance Service for Adults,
Northern Ireland (EGSA)
EGSA is an independent voluntary organisation and the main
contact for adult basic education in Northern Ireland. Within
its Essential Skills strand, it runs a referral and support
service for adults wishing to improve their literacy and/or
numeracy skills and provides support to help people access
appropriate provision. It also provides awareness-raising
training for both the public and private sector, holds a register
of qualified tutors and provides support for the sector as
a whole.
Contact: EGSA 4th Floor, 40 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2
8BA. Tel: 028 9024 4274. Email: info@egsa.org.uk.
Website: www.egsa.org.uk.
www.crystalpresentations.com/engagekeys/
The Engage Keys cartoon characters (a family of keys) are zipped pdf files from NIACE that are free to download and use as a way to engage adult learners. FFORWM
FFORWM is the umbrella organisation for further education colleges in Wales.
Contact: FFORWM, Quadrant Centre, Cardiff Business Park, Cardiff CF14 5WF Telephone: 029 2074 1800 Website: www.fforwm.ac.uk
Gatehouse Media Ltd
Publishes and distributes books
and resources for use with adult literacy learners, including
materials written by adult learners and suitable for beginner
readers; talking stories on audio-cassette, interactive CD-Rom
readers; and student worksheets.
Contact: PO Box 965, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 9DE. Tel: 01925 267778 Email: info@gatehousebooks.com.
Website: www.gatehousebooks.com.
www.dfes.gov.uk/get-on/
The DfES's Get On campaign aims to help
adults improve their literacy and numeracy. The website enables
training providers and other partners to support the campaign.
It is also for people who want to help friends and family
members improve their basic skills. The Get On helpline, for information on courses, is 0800 100
900.
www.literacyservices.com
Grass Roots Press is the website of a Canadian publishing company that provides information and resources for adult literacy practitioners on adult basic education, youth and family literacy, workplace literacy, assessment and special educational needs. Grass Roots Press also conducts research and provides consulting services for the development of adult literacy programmes.
Higher Education
Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
The Higher Education Funding Council distributes public money
for teaching and research to universities and colleges in
England. It aims to promote high quality education and research and to play a key role
in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice. In
partnership with the Department for Education and Skills,
the HEFC funds the Aimhigher programme to encourage participation
in higher education among young people from disadvantaged
social and economic backgrounds, ethnic minority communities
and the disabled. Visit www.aimhigher.ac.uk
Contact: HEFCE, Northavon House, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol
BS16 1QD. Tel: 0117 931 7317. Website:www.hefce.ac.uk/.
www.keyskillsincontext.co.uk
The Key Skills in Context website aims to place the development of key skills at level three into contexts which are meaningful and realistic. The site is a thematically based, multi-media resource, providing students with an opportunity, through a series of tasks and activities, to collect evidence for their key skills portfolio.
www.keyskillssupport.net
The Key Skills Support Programme website is run on the behalf of the Quality Improvement Agency by the Learning and Skills Netwrok. It provides information and materials to help providers improve the quality of key skills provision for colleges, schools, work based learning and employers, adult learning, YOIs, PRUS and prison and probation.
Learndirect
National information service, developed by University for industry for the government, giving details of adult education
courses available in your area. Launched in 2000, it has more than 800 learning centres in England and Wales and supports both individual learners and employers.
Tel: 0800 100 900. Website:
www.learndirect.co.uk
Learndirect Scotland: Tel: 0808 100 9000. Website: www.learndirectscotland.co.uk
Learning and Skills Council
The Learning and Skills Council operates via a network of
47 Local Learning and Skills Councils (LLSCs). The LSC is
responsible for funding and advocacy of provision through
further education sector colleges, school sixth forms, work-based
training for young people, workforce development, adult and
community learning, information, education business links,
and advice and guidance for adults.
Contact: Learning and Skills Council, Cheylesmore House, Quinton
Road, Coventry CV1 2WT. Tel: 0845 019 4170. Email: info@lsc.gov.uk.
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk.
Learning and Skills Network
In April 2006, the Learning and Skills Development Agency
was renamed the Learning Skills Network. It continues its
existing programmes, research, training and consultancy in
post-16 education and training. Policy and strategy work will
now be delivered by a separate body, the Quality Improvement
Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA).
Contact: Learning and Skills Network, Regent Arcade House,
19-25 Argyll Street, London W1F 7LS. Tel: 020 7297 9000. Website:
www.lsneducation.org.uk.
Learning Connections
Learning Connections, based at government agency Communities Scotland in the Community Regeneration division, is responsible for the development of adult literacy in Scotland, as well as wider community learning and development. The remit of the Literacies team is to support practitioners and managers across Scotland in implementing the recommendations set out in the report Adult Literacy and Numeracy in Scotland.
Contact: Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5HE. Telephone: 0131 313 0044
Website: www.lc.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/
Learning from Experience Trust
The Learning from Experience Trust carries out research, training
and development on practical approaches that enhance learning
from experience. It holds conferences, workshops and study
tours for professional development and publishes reports for
individuals and institutions. LET also seeks to demonstrate
the value of recognising learning from experience in different
areas of peoples' lives, including employment, voluntary work
and everyday life.
Contact: The Learning from Experience Trust, Goldsmiths College,
Deptford Town Hall, New Road, London SE14 6AE. Tel: 020 7919
7739. Email: let@gold.ac.uk.
Website: www.lettrust.org.
Lifelong Learning UK
Lifelong Learning UK is the sector skills council for
post-16 education and training, including the adult basic
skills sector. It began operating in January 2005, taking
over the role of the Further Education National Training Organisation.
Through Standards Verification UK, a wholly owned subsidiary,
it is responsible for the approval of adult literacy, numeracy
and ESOL qualifications and can provide details of institutions
currently running accredited courses. If you're interested
in becoming an adult literacy or numeracy tutor, call the
helpline for advice on qualifications and experience needed.
Contact: Lifelong Learning UK, 4th Floor, 32 Farringdon Street,
London EC4A 4HJ. Tel: 020 7936 5700. Helpline: 020 7936 5798.
Fax: 020 7332 9501. Email: enquiries@lifelonglearninguk.org.
Website: www.lifelonglearninguk.org.
www.nald.ca/lil/english/english.htm
The Literacy for Independent Living website is a Canadian site providing information on resources for teaching literacy to adults with disabilities. Literacy Information and Communications
System of the NIFL (LINCS)
LINCS is an electronic internet network that provides a single
focal point for adult literacy resources, knowledge and experience
from across the USA, and the world. It is hosted by the National
Institute for Literacy (see below).
Contact: National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, N.W.,
Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006-2401, USA. Telephone:
202 233 2025. Fax: 202 233 2050. Website:
www.nifl.gov
LLU+
LLU+ (Language and Literacy Unit+) is a consultancy and professional development centre for staff working in the areas of literacy, numeracy and English for speakers of other languages, with both adults and children.
Further description and contact details
National Adult Literacy Agency, Ireland
(NALA)
NALA is the coordinating, training and campaigning body for
adult literacy work in Ireland. It aims to encourage the involvement
of learners in all aspects of adult education; to develop training which will ensure high quality literacy provision; and to
represent the views and interests of all participants to government departments and other concerned agencies.
NALA's work includes providing training,
working with students, promoting cooperation in literacy, providing a national referral
and information service, giving access to a wide range of
teaching and training materials, and raising public awareness.
Contact: NALA, 76 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
Email: nala@iol.ie. Website:
www.nala.ie
National Association for Teaching
English & Other Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA)
NATECLA aims to advance the education and training of adults
and young people over sixteen, whose first language is not
English.
Contact: NATECLA, South Birmingham College, Hall Green Campus,
Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8ES. Tel: 0121
688 8121. Fax: 0121 694 5062. Email: co-ordinator@natecla.fsnet.co.uk.
Website: www.natecla.org.uk.
National Extension College
The National Extension College is a distance learning college
that provides course materials, tuition and student advice
services for a wide range of qualifications.
Contact: National Extension College, Purbeck Road, Cambridge
CB2 2HN. Website: www.nec.ac.uk
National Institute for Adult Continuing
Education (NIACE)
NIACE works to promote the study and general advancement of
adult continuing education, and to provide support to adult
and potential learners in England and Wales.
Contact: NIACE, Renaissance House, 20 Princess Road West,
Leicester LE1 6TP . Tel: 0116 204 4200. Website: www.niace.org.uk
National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
This American organisation provides an extensive network of
information for adult literacy.
Contact: NIFL, 1775 I Street, NW., Suite 730, Washington,
DC 20006-2401. Website: www.nifl.gov/nifl.
National
Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy
www.thenetwork.co.uk
The Network for workplace language, literacy and numeracy
The Network for Workplace Language, Literacy and Numeracy (The Network) was established by Lancaster University but in 2008, after 15 years, it became an independent not-for-profit organisation. It aims to maximise networking opportunities for those delivering workplace language, literacy and numeracy, and provide advice, guidance and consultancy. New Leaf Books
This is a community publishing project set up to publish and promote writing by people who not normally expect to see their words in print. New Leaf are dedicated to publishing books written by and for adults. They publish short, high-quality titles written by adults themselves.
Contact: Anne Chester, New Leaf Books, 5 Wardley Road, Walton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6JA Tel: 0798 424 1863 Website: www.newleafbooks.org.uk
www.nextstep.org.uk/
Next Step aims to provide face-to-face advice for potential
adult learners, especially those over 20 yet to obtain post
GCSE qualifications. Visit the website to find your local Next Step or call 0800 0931 700 to speak to an advisor.
If you're not sure if you fit into this category call Learndirect
who will be able to advise you on learning opportunities.
www.mlay-skillsforlife.org.uk
The Open Doors project (MLA Yorkshire) offers support, information and inspiration for museum, library and archive staff and Skills for Life practitioners. This website describes the ways in which museums, libraries and archives can work with Skills for Life learners, and the benefits that this type of partnership working can bring. You can access case studies, resources and a chance to get involved in the Open Doors network - a forum for museum, library and archive staff and Skills for Life professionals to meet and share best practice.
Protocol Professional
Provides opportunities for qualified
teachers and skilled professionals to teach, lecture, assess
and carry out internal verification in a range of organisations
including local further education colleges. Adult literacy
is one of the many subject areas it covers.
Contact: Protocol Professional, Castle Quay, Castle Boulevard,
Nottingham NG7 1FW. Tel: 0115 911 1177. Email: recruitment@protocol-professional.co.uk.
Website: www.protocol-professional.co.uk.
Quality Improvement Agency
The Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) has been set up to spark
enthusiasm for innovation and excellence in the learning and
skills sector. It aims to challenge those involved
in teaching, learning and training to lift
their performance and implement the government's reforms for
learning and skills. The agency is a non-departmental public
body.
Contact: Friars House, Manor House Drive, Coventry CV1 2TE. Tel: 0870 1620 632 Website: www.qia.org.uk/index.html
Quick Reads
Launched on World Book Day 2006, Quick Reads is a major
initiative from leading publishers, booksellers and writers
who have come together, as part of the World Book Day initiative,
to publish short, fast-paced new books designed to encourage
adult reluctant readers to get hooked on books. Quick
Reads are written by celebrities plus some of the most famous
authors of fiction and non-fiction. For more information about
Quick Reads see www.quickreads.org.uk
or click here.
www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus
Read, Write, Plus is the website of the DfES's Skills for Life Strategy Unit, which is responsible for implementing the Skills for Life national strategy.
Research and Practice in Adult Literacy
(RaPAL)
RaPAL is an independent network of learners, teachers, managers
and researchers in adult basic education and literacy across
the post-16 sector. Established in 1985, it is supported by
membership subscription only.
Membership contact: Wendy Moss, The City Lit, Stukeley Street,
London WC2B 5LJ. Email: w.moss@citylit.ac.uk.
For other contacts, including RaPAL Journal, see the website:
www.literacy.lancs.ac.uk/rapal/rapal.htm
Scottish Adult Learning Partnership
The Scottish Adult Learning Partnership (SALP) is a voluntary
organisation created specifically to support and encourage
adults who do not traditionally participate within the education
system. It is a national partnership of adult learners and
those who make provision for them, and is responsible for
the coordination of a number of campaigns in Scotland, including
Adult Learners' Week, Sign Up Now, Signed Up Yet?, Bite Sized,
One Hour a Day for Learning, and Family Learning Week.
Contact: Scottish Adult Learning Partnership, 22 Hill Street,
Edinburgh EH2 3JZ. Tel: 0131 220 5567. Website: www.salp.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise
Skillswise is a BBC website developed in partnership with the Basic Skills Agency to provide online adult literacy and numeracy activities aimed at learners and their tutors. Skillswise is a free resource to support the national adult basic skills curriculum and tests.
www.skillsforlifenetwork.com
The Skills for Life Network is an independent online news and information resource for Skills for Life professionals. The site offers a regular round-up of Skills for Life news, a calendar of Skills for Life events and training; a searchable knowledgebase of news, key documents and resources; and downloadable resources.
www.scutrea.ac.uk
The Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults is a professional network that provides a focus and opportunities to meet for institutions, departments and individuals engaged in the education and training of adults or in research in the broad field of continuing education. Among its activities are conferences, meetings, publications, maintaining international links and developing special interest networks.
www.talent.ac.uk
TALENT (training adult literacy, ESOL and numeracy teachers) is a website developed as part of a partnership project involving the boroughs and colleges of Tower Hamlets, City of London, Islington and Hackney and initially funded by the London Development Agency. It provides teaching materials, training, details of vacancies and professional development support.
www.tutorhunt.com
Tutor Hunt aims to provide listings of all personal and private tutors in your local area. The listings cover primary, GCSE, A-Level and adult learners.
University for Industry (UfI)
The University for Industry is a public-private partnership which aims to boost the competitiveness of business and the employability of individuals. Working with businesses and education and training providers, it uses modern technologies to make learning available at a time and place to suit the learner - at home, in the workplace and through a national network of learning centres.
Contact: Dearing House, 1 Young Street, Sheffield S1 4UP. Tel: 0114 291 5000 Website: www.ufi.com/home/default.asp
The Vital Link is a groundbreaking
reader development and adult basic skills initiative run by
The Reading Agency and the National Literacy Trust which aims
to develop the role of libraries in supporting and motivating
adults who are improving their literacy skills see www.vitallink.org.uk
www.elwa.ac.uk/ElwaWeb/portal.aspx
The Welsh Assembly Government's web portal for information on post-16 education and training for individuals, businesses, communities, and learning and research providers.
Workers Educational Association (WEA)
The WEA is the largest voluntary provider of adult education
in the UK. It provides access to a wide range of educational
opportunities, particularly for those who are socially, economically
or educationally disadvantaged. The WEA is one national association
in England and Scotland, organised into 13 districts in England
and a Scottish association. There are separate WEAs in Northern
Ireland, North Wales and South Wales.
Contact: WEA, Temple House, 17 Victoria Park Square, London
E2 9PB. Tel: 020 8983 1515. Fax: 020 8983 4840. Website: www.wea.org.uk
WEA North Wales. 33 College Road, Bangor,
Gwynedd LL57 2AP. Tel: 01248 353254.
Website: www.harlech.ac.uk/
WEA South Wales. 11 Station Terrace, Cowbridge
Road West, Ely, Cardiff CF5 4AA.
Tel: 029 2055 2277. Website: www.swales.wea.org.uk/
WEA Scotland. Riddle Court, 322 Lawnmarket,
Edinburgh, EH1 2PG. Tel 0131 2263456.
Website: www.weascotland.org.uk/
WEA Northern Ireland. 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast BT9 6AW. Tel: 028 9032 9718.
Website: www.wea-ni.com/
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