Community Outreach - Buckinghamshire Adult Learning

Community Outreach

Buckinghamshire Adult Learning > Community Outreach

Community Outreach

Who are we?

We want everyone to be able to learn new skills and develop their confidence through our courses and workshops.

We listen carefully to what you would like to learn and support you to find the right courses to help you achieve your goals. You might be looking to learn or build on employability skills, or learn to manage your health and wellbeing.

You do not need any prior qualifications to enrol on our courses and we will support you to learn effectively. Please make sure that you let us know if you have a disability or any issue that might affect your ability to learn so that we can help you.

Please do not worry about coming back to learning if you have not been in a classroom for a long time. We understand that adults learn differently to children and our classes are small and very supportive. Even if you did not enjoy school, we are sure that you will enjoy learning now! Many learners enrol on more than one course with us.

We set up short courses throughout the year and develop new ideas all the time. Current courses (delivered by remote learning) include:

  • Employability Skills – Job searching online, CVs and Application forms, Preparing for interviews and Video Interviews
  • Ways to Wellbeing
  • Managing Stress in a Changed World
  • Write Better, Feel Better! (Creative Writing for Wellbeing)
  • Setting up in Business
  • Beginners ICT

Flexible Online Learning

Forthcoming courses

Online Employability Workshops

Join our *FREE Employability Skills Workshops

  • Completing Application Forms –  Tuesday 25 August, 1-2pm
  • Preparing for Interviews – Tuesday 1 September, 1-2pm
  • Video Interview Dos and Don’ts – Tuesday 8 September, 1-2pm
  • Job Searching Online – Tuesday 11 August, 1-2pm
  • CV Writing – Tuesday 18 August, 1-2pm

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
We can help you access the online workshop if you need advice.
These workshops will be held online via Google Meet. You will also receive some one-to-one telephone support from the tutor at a time to be agreed.
You don’t need to attend all the workshops, just choose the one/s you feel will be most beneficial.

*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Flexible Online Learning

Our flexible learning courses are a new way for you to learn online. Choose from a wide range of subjects and improve your employability skills or develop your personal skills and professional knowledge. Find out more.

Ways to Improve Your Wellbeing

*FREE five week course, 10.00-12.00noon
Every Thursday starting Thursday 6 August(incl. 13, 20, 27 August and 3 September)

Every Thursday starting 17 September (incl. 24 September, 1, 8 and 15 October)

Every Thursday starting 12 November (incl. 19, 26 November, 3 and 10 December)

  • Would you like to feel calmer and more confident?
  • Do you wish you slept better at night?
  • Would you like to have a clearer mind and feel more positive?
  • Create a healthy routine and set yourself some clear goals?

This short course is designed in a holistic way to help you improve your wellbeing and it includes elements of:

  • Five Ways to Wellbeing
  • Positive Psychology
  • Mindfulness
  • Personal Development

Working in a small, supportive group you will learn tips on how to develop a positive approach to life!
All Adult Learning classes are now online and will be taught with some online face to face teaching and demonstration, guided work and feedback opportunities with a tutor as appropriate.

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Managing Anxiety in a Changing World

A new *FREE five week online course
Tuesday 4 August – Tuesday 1 September | 10:00 – 12:00

This course will help you identify your particular triggers for stress and recognise stress management techniques that are relevant to you.

  • Take steps to manage your anxiety in an uncertain world
  • Learn positive thinking techniques for everyday situations
  • Manage your mood mindfully
  • Stay calm when feeling stressed
  • Know when to ask for help

“I’ve enjoyed the process of using Google Classroom…..It’s all been a very new, but enjoyable experience and I certainly feel less anxious and apprehensive ”

All Adult Learning classes are now online and will be taught with some online face to face teaching and demonstration, guided work and feedback opportunities with a tutor as appropriate.

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Managing Stress with Mindfulness Techniques

Tuesday 3 November – Tuesday 1 December | 10am – 12pm | Quarrendon ALC, Aylesbury

This course will help you develop the skills to identify your particular triggers for stress and recognise stress management techniques that are relevant to your personal situation.

  • Identify when you feel stressed
  • Recognise how to stay calm in a difficult situation
  • Explain how to address a difficult topic with someone
  • Recognise how to use mindfulness as a technique to manage stress

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Creative Writing for Beginners

Monday 7 Sep 2020- Monday 5 Oct 2020 | 10:00 – 12:00
Millbrook Adult Learning Centre, Mill End Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 4BA

Develop your skills in creative writing and identify how writing can improve your wellbeing.

  • Recognise how to generate ideas for stories and characters
  • Identify how creative writing can improve your mood and outlook
  • Demonstrate the skills to communicate in a small group, with support
  • Find your personal writing strengths.

*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Building Confidence Through Effective Communication

Starting Tuesday 22 September – Tuesday 20 October

The course aims to develop your skills in communication and be able to identify how to develop your own confidence.

  • Recognise what confidence means to you personally and identify your strengths
  • Demonstrate the skills to communicate confidently in a group
  • Recognise ways to practise effective communication skills
  • Recognise how good communication helps build supportive relationships

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Level 1 Award in Employability Skills

A new *FREE six week online course
Monday 3 August – Wednesday 9 September | 2 – 5pm

Tuesday 22 September – Wednesday 28 October | 9.30am – 12.30pm

Tuesday 3 November – Wednesday 9 December | 9.30am – 12.30pm

Learn important skills to help you find work

  • Searching for jobs
  • Applying for jobs
  • Interview skills
    Plus much more!

“I’ve enjoyed the process of using Google Classroom…..It’s all been a very new, but enjoyable experience and I certainly feel less anxious and apprehensive ”

All Adult Learning classes are now online and will be taught with some online face to face teaching and demonstration, guided work and feedback opportunities with a tutor as appropriate.

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Fully funded courses for learners with unemployed status, or employed status and earning under £17,004.00. Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements. Please call to check your eligibility if unsure.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Level 1 Award - Social Media for Job Prospecting

A new *FREE six week online course
Monday 3 August – Wednesday 9 September | 10.30am – 1.30pm

Monday 21 September – Wednesday 28 October | 1.30 – 4.30pm

Monday 2 November – Wednesday 9 November | 1.30 – 4.30pm

Identify relevant social media platforms and how to use them safely

  • Describe how to use social media as part of job searching
  • Create a suitable profile and network with employers on social media
  • Share your CV using social media.

All Adult Learning classes are now online and will be taught with some online face to face teaching and demonstration, guided work and feedback opportunities with a tutor as appropriate.

Contact us ASAP to book your place as spaces are limited!
*Fully funded courses for learners with unemployed status, or employed status and earning under £17,004.00. Funded for targeted adults 19 years or over who meet UK residency requirements. Please call to check your eligibility if unsure.

For more information or to enrol, please call/text:

Debbie Garwood 07770 802497 – debbie.garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen 07827 986448 – james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Group of learners with certificates

Our aim

Our aim is to help raise your confidence and feel less isolated so that you feel able to progress onto further learning or employment. Our learners often say that our courses help them be more confident, meet new people, become a volunteer, get a qualification or even get a job.

Community Outreach Team

Debbie Garwood, Community Outreach Officer Debbie.Garwood@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

James Keen, Community Outreach Officer james.keen@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Christine Frost, Regional Co-ordinator, Outreach 07921 404780 christine.frost@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Next Steps

At the end of every course your tutor will give you feedback on your progress and achievement. We talk to you individually about what you want to do next – maybe you would like advice on getting a qualification in maths, English or digital skills with Buckinghamshire Adult Learning. Or maybe you would like to talk to a careers advisor about possible volunteering or job opportunities. We work closely with Adviza to offer you the support that is right for you.

Further information on English, maths and Digital Skills courses is here

Information on Building Futures

Information on the National Careers Service

Partnership Work

We work with a wide range of organisations including Jobcentre Plus, Adviza, supported housing organisations, food banks, mental health services, charities, and local community groups for all ages and they refer people to our courses. We often create new bespoke workshops and courses for particular organisations to help people improve their lives through learning. e.g. Budgeting, Cookery, Communication Skills for Volunteers, Confidence Building and Stress Management. Please contact us to find out how we can help you, your clients or your volunteers.

100% of partners surveyed in 2018/19 said that they would recommend Buckinghamshire Adult Learning as an education provider.

What our learners say about us

“The pressure-free, motivating, encouraging, informative, friendly and supportive input afforded to all students by our tutor, was second to none.”

“A very worthwhile and valuable course to have completed in improving my wellbeing and self- help.”

“I enjoyed the course thoroughly. The class teacher was fantastic at delivering relevant tools that we all need on a day to day basis. I’m optimistic about the future as before I didn’t know if I was coming or going. Thank you Buckinghamshire Adult Learning.”

“The tutor is brilliant and made me feel very welcome.”

“I must admit, I’ve really enjoyed linking up with other people via the internet to learn something new – it’s another skill I can add to my collection now… And also, I’ve enjoyed the process of using Google Classroom in order to submit ‘homework’ and get feedback – both from my tutor and from my fellow students… It’s all been a very new, but enjoyable experience and I certainly feel less anxious and apprehensive about joining an online class now, than I did at the beginning… So thank you for all your effort and hard work and creating this opportunity… From my point of view, it has been extremely worthwhile.”

Read some of our learner stories here