Press release (4) - DVSC’s Festival of Learning
DVSC’s Festival of Learning starts in Adult Learners Week, 18-24 June, at DVSC and lasts until 20 July
As the membership body for volunteers, voluntary and community groups, third sector organisations and social enterprises in Denbighshire, DVSC is taking part in UK wide Adult Learners Week (18th – 24th June 2018) with DVSC’s Festival of Learning lasting until 20 July.
DVSC is rapidly becoming a community hub for learning and development activities. Last year, DVSC delivered a wide range of training opportunities in the last year, running 34 courses, involving 343 participants.
Helen Wilkinson, DVSC’s Chief Executive, said: “Community based learning and development opportunities are upskilling volunteers and employees in the third sector and also reaching out to members of the public thanks to funding and support from partners like the Learning and Work Institute”.
As part of this year’s activities for Adult Learners, DVSC is holding a series of Taster Sessions which are running for 6 weeks until 20 July covering activities to support health and wellbeing and also a special session, open to members of the public on Getting Your Voice Heard. (For more details of the full range of taster sessions see below)
Helen Wilkinson, DVSC’s Chief Executive, said: “This is the second year we have worked with the Learning and Work Institute and thanks to their innovations fund we are in a great position to be able to offer FREE training to our supporters, members and the public about how to get their voice heard on issues of importance to them. The session will be practical, fun, informative and hopefully inspire people into voluntary action and joining us in building a movement for change in Denbighshire.”
The Learning and Work Institute funding will also enable DVSC to run some FREE courses that will support local people in their health and wellbeing adding to the wellbeing services the DVSC team provide from the Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin.
Emma Gray, DVSC’s Volunteering and Wellbeing Development Officer (Active Inclusion Lead) commented: “Open Doors offers an inclusive space for people to come and make new friends and share learning. Our Volunteers are trained to help members improve their digital skills in a relaxed environment; we also run Arty Fridays every first Friday of the month. Through this funding we are pleased to extend the range of activities offered through the group to help people improve their mental health and feel more in control of their life. We are pleased to again be working with the Denbighshire Learning Partnership to ensure a full range of fun learning taster sessions. We will be running a social media campaign celebrating learning and advertising the sessions and how to get involved on #DenbighshireVolunteers.net.
The activities will be running as part of the Open Doors Club, which is volunteer led and meets weekly offering a friendly place where people can come and have a cup of tea and benefit from advice and support. Open Doors hosted the first taster session on Friday 15th June - Dealing with Difficult Situations - followed by weekly taster sessions on healthy eating, Budgeting, Drumming Workshop, Tai Chi and an Arts & Crafts Session. All taster sessions will be held at the Naylor Leyland Centre, Well Street, Ruthin, 1pm – 3pm.
Open Doors is volunteer led and run by Wayne and Lavinia, both of whom received support and advice through DVSC’s highly successful Active Inclusion Project. It offers support in CV building and Job Searches, advice and help to find volunteering placements, information about further learning opportunities and IT training as part of DVSC’s commitment to the Digital Inclusion Charter. The Club is also supported by Vale of Clwyd MIND with a support worker attending each week to help with activities and support mental health needs. The Club is also supported by regular attendance from the Denbighshire Community Navigator and other professionals who can offer support and guidance.
