Lifelong Learning

• Good Practice Examples
• Theme News

Purpose - Working and learning together to develop and improve learning opportunities and build stronger communities in Aberdeenshire by improving knowledge and skills, developing confidence, promoting inclusion and empowering communities.

Scope – The Lifelong Learning Theme Forum brings together representatives from partners engaged in the provision and support of lifelong learning in Aberdeenshire.  The Aberdeenshire Community Learning and Development Partnership is the main strategic partnership for progressing work on the theme.  School education is primarily the responsibility of Aberdeenshire Council and is driven by the national agenda rather than a local planning framework.

Membership – Core membership of the Forum comprises Aberdeenshire Council, the Further and Higher Education establishments that serve the area, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, the voluntary sector and representatives from other specialist organisations and groups working in the theme area.

Objectives 

• Engaging with communities
• Promoting achievement through learning for adults
• Encouraging achievement through learning for young people
• Ensuring learner support and progression
• Building community capacity
• Developing the partnership

Related Major Strategies

• Aberdeenshire Community Learning and Development Strategy
• Children’s Services Plan
• Arts and Cultural Strategy
• Aberdeenshire Sports and Active Lifestyles Strategy
• Challenging Disability
• Living Life to the Full –a strategy for the over-50’s

Indicators

Current indicators are:

• Number of adult learners
• Number of young people using partnership services
• Number of volunteers on community development groups

 

Further indicators are in development
and will be published in future reports.

Kininmonth Planning for Real® - Good Practice Example

A Planning for Real® exercise was held by the Kininmonth and New Leeds community group with support from the Buchan Development Partnership in November 2004.  It took place in Kininmonth School in the Buchan area.  A major problem identified in the exercise was a dangerous road outside of the school.  Local community knowledge showed that, although on paper the exit route suggested by the Council looked like a good solution, the road was actually used as a “rat run” at certain times of the day.  As a result of community planning a meeting was arranged where all parties met and planned a workable solution that pleased everyone.

Planning for Real® exercises have been taking place throughout all areas of Aberdeenshire, supported by local rural partnerships.

“One Way – Youth Café” - Ythan Centre, Ellon  - Good Practice Example

In 2000, a group of young people in Ellon, concerned at the lack of youth facilities in the area, decided to do something about it.  With the help of youth workers, they found out what young people wanted in the town and looked at what was happening in other areas for young people.  They then reported their findings to local councillors and the wider community and enlisted their support in bringing their project to fruition. 

Their business plan, which was put together with the help of local professionals, was to develop the Ythan Centre into a dedicated youth facility incorporating an Internet/Youth Café, Youth Advice Project and soundproof music room.  In 2002, funding of £160,000 for the project was secured from various sources and the “One Way – Youth Café” opened at the start of 2004.  The young people’s ongoing involvement in the project ensures that it reflects what the young people want.