Banstead, Epsom & Ewell CLP

Projects

Mental Health Film Screening in Epsom - 6 October 2009

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is screening an award winning short film by Mike Rymer that deals with issues of mental health. It is in conjunction with Epsom Mental Health Week and is a local premiere of the work which is endorsed by Samaritans and was produced by EgoProject Films and Patchwork Productions, and funded by SLaM NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Funds as well as the UK Film Council.
'Sick' will be screened at UCA Epsom on 6 October at 5.45pm and 6.15pm. It is 15 minutes in length and each free screening will be introduced by Mike. For more information see the UCA website.

Storytelling at the Longmead Centre - May 2009

There were not many people sitting in the main lounge at the Epsom Centre when Alex Somerville, the storyteller from The Storytellers Guild in Ewell arrived. Most people seemed too busy buying lunch tickets to be interested in this newcomer with a bag of tricks and recorder.
However, there were some children sitting expectantly on the floor and the word spread that “something was happening” in the lounge. Gradually people started drifting in. Mothers with children who had been told about it at Epsom Primary arrived with buggies and the atmosphere changed as Alex started introducing himself to 24 adults and 12 children. The children were immediately keen to join in, clapping rhythms that were sent around the circle and short messages that were whispered. The adults were more reluctant to engage and watched quietly for a while. This led to Alex telling the “Gingerbread man Story”, using gestures and different voices to make the story come alive. Then it was the audience's turn...

To find out how Alex captivated both adults and children with his storytelling and download the full article please click here.

Silver Surfers in Epsom - Get friendly with your mouse!

There will be two Silver Surfer events in Epsom on Friday 15th May 2009: one in the morning from 10:00 - 12:00 at the Cox Lane Community Centre off Ruxley Lane and the other in the afternoon from 1:30 - 3:30 at the Longmead Centre on Sefton Road. With lap-tops provided by Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership, the WEA will run these two taster sessions to whet the appetite of the over 50s who think that they're too old to learn to use a computer. Lisa Harvey at Cox Lane and Ann Lamb at the Longmead centre will provide tea-time goodies to make sure the event is just as much as social event as an opportunity to find out what a mouse really does when it's not stealing cheese, and what it is exactly that keeps so many youngsters glued to their screens!
For more information, please contact Rebecca Court, Community Learning Adviser for Banstead, Epsom and Ewell on 07917 533707 or download a leaflet here

Free Motor Vehicle Training

Banstead, Epsom and Ewell Community Learning Partnership was successful in a 2007 bid to Awards for All to fund free 12-week motor vehicle maintenance courses for unemployed learners aged over 16.  This has been delivered in Partnership with GT Cars Limited at their premises in Normandy, near Guildford, where learners were able to sample a motor industry environment and gain 'hands on' experience to complete the practical elements of the course.  Learners were referred to the programme by partner agencies such as Jobcentre Plus, Connexions, Nextstep and Surrey County Council.

The course incorporated elements of NVQ Level 1 in Vehicle Maintenence and Repair, recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry.  It also covered important aspects of basic engineering, car valeting, health and safety and vehicle safety checks.  Learners were awarded a nationally recognised certificate of achievement after full attendance of the course.

The skills acquired helped learners to progress onto apprenticeship and training programmes, further education or employment.  Working alongside Connexions and Nextstep, learners have had one-to-one support in deciding where to move on from the course.  Feedback from learners has been excellent and many are looking forward to their next challenge!

"When I came here I didn't know much.  Now I know about steering, how an engine works, and the basic principles.  If I get the certificate it means it will save me a year at college.  I'm hoping to do an apprenticeship when I leave school"

Learning on the Move

Mobile learning is now available to residents of Epsom and Ewell communities thanks to an innovative project of the Banstead, Epsom & Ewell CLP. This initiative is the first of its kind as mobile learning has been established in the heart of the community- directly within the residential area of the Longmead Estate, Epsom - an area with multiple needs.

Up to 8 learners at a time can receiving training in bricklaying, plumbing, construction and the industry in general.  The project has been successful in recruiting hard-to-reach learners such as NEET young people with 11 participants already receiving certificates! In September 2006 the project will be further developed to provide motor vehicle training to unemployed adults in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. More . .

Supporting Families

Parents looking for support and training in numeracy, ICT, literacy and parenting skills received a helping hand from the Banstead, Epsom & Ewell CLP in 2006. Primary and infant schools in the CLP area were invited to partake in family learning programmes. As a result of the project, 7 out of 16 schools (almost 50%) requested learning opportunities for their parents.

Working in partnership with the schools and various providers such as Family Learning, Family Links, NESCOT and Widening Participation, a number of courses have already been arranged for Epsom Primary, Stamford Green Primary, The Vale Primary and Warren Mead Infant Schools. More . . .

Young People at Risk of Exclusion

The CLP is working with all 5 secondary schools in the Banstead, Epsom & Ewell area to develop an alternative curriculum for Year 9 students who are at risk of exclusion from school. It is planned that the new curriculum will be in place at Blenheim, Epsom and Ewell, Glyn, Rosebery and The Beacon Schools in time for the 2006/07 school year.

Lighthouse Education Project

The Lighthouse education project supports 12 to 16 year olds who are excluded or who have persistently not engaged with mainstream education. The project aims to provide basic skills, social skills, good citizenship and encourage families to support the education process. In 2004 the BEE CLP agreed to give £2000 to support this community learning initiative.

Visit the case study page to learn more about the Engage Project which provided the evidence to initiate schemes such as Lighthouse.

Flexible Learning with Nescot

The Increased Flexibility Program was initially developed by the CLP in partnership with NESCOT. It engages hundreds of students from years 10 and 11 who spend one day a week for two years on planned activities designed to develop vocational skills. Local employers have supported this programme and are offering opportunities in the sectors of Construction, Child Care, Sport, Animal Care, Horticulture and Media.

               

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