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Learning in your Community

You don’t always have to travel to learn. There are many opportunities nearer to home.

 

What is available in my area?

 

Community Learning Centres offer a variety of classes

 

  • learning for fun - ranging from tourist Spanish to computing for the terrified
  • brushing up your basic skills in reading, writing and numbers
  • courses leading to qualifications.

 Many libraries offer courses

 

  • You can learn to surf the Net.
  • You can do an open learning course, for example in computing or business.

 Peoples Network Project

 

  • This lottery funded project has put computers with Internet access in all public libraries in Scotland including library buses. Trained Library staff can help you and everyone now has the chance to get online.
  • You can access computers to gain new skills, improve your job prospects, revise for exams or develop leisure interests.
  • Many libraries are now UK Online Centres and can offer access to a range of courses. These include basic IT training such as the European Computer Driving Licence.
  • Contact your local council for details of the libraries in your area.

Some schools are now ‘community schools’ and offer classes and facilities for the whole community, of all ages. Contact your local school to see what is available.


 

You can get leaflets on learning opportunities in your local area. In some areas these are available in a range of languages. Contact your council for more details.

 

Black and ethnic minority community options

 

What is available?

 

  • Some organisations offer learning opportunities and support for members of black and ethnic minority communities.
  • You can do courses in English as a second language.

How can I improve my English?

 

  • You can do specialist courses in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at colleges or Community Education or Learning Centres in different parts of Scotland.
  • You can do courses at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced courses. You can get a recognised certificate from some courses. You can get more details in the separate article English for speakers of other languages.

What is open to me in my area?

 

Aberdeen:

 

Aberdeen International Centre

41 Union Street,

Aberdeen AB11 5BN

Tel/Fax: 01224 210025

E-mail: info@intercentre.org.uk

Web: http://www.intercentre.org.uk/

 

Offers:

 

  • English language and computing courses
  • advice on housing, education, health, benefits and employment
  • support for disabled ethnic minority people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
  • interpreting and translation service.

Grampian Racial Equality Council     

168 Market Street

Aberdeen AB11 5PP

Tel: 01224 595505

E-mail: info@grec.co.uk

 

Offers:

  • advice, support and counselling service for those who have suffered racial discrimination or harassment
  • a resource library
  • chances to work as a volunteer gaining new skills.

Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd 

15/17 Belmont Street

Aberdeen AB10 1JR

Tel: 01224 645268

E-mail: malcolm@multiethnic.co.uk

 

Offers:

  • cultural and leisure activities
  • information
  • advocacy
  • employment and business advice
  • educational outreach programme
  • cultural diversity training. 

Dundee:

 

The Mitchell Street Centre

Mitchell Street

Dundee DD2 2LJ

Tel: 01382 435808

Fax: 01382 435862

E-mail: kirsty.gemmell@dundeecity.gov.uk

 

Offers

  • a range of learning opportunities including English as another Language
  • 10 week basic computing courses running 3 times a year.

 

Edinburgh:

 

Skillnet Edinburgh

Norton Park

57 Albion Road

Edinburgh EH7 5QY

Tel: 0131 475 2451

Fax: 0131 475 2496

E-Mail: admin@skillnetedinburgh.org.uk

 

Offers:

  • help to black minority ethnic community people to access employment, training and education
  • courses for people whose first language is not English.

YWCA Roundabout Centre

4B Gayfield Place

Edinburgh EH7 4AB

Tel/Fax: 0131 556 1168 or 0131 557 4695

E-mail: info@ywcaroundabout.org

Web: http://www.ywcascotland.org/

 

Offers:

 

  • groups for black/minority ethnic women and young women
  • information and some informal educational guidance and support
  • training for childcare volunteers
  • personal development opportunities
  • an intercultural summer school.

Glasgow:

 

Darnley Street Family Centre

175 Darnley Street

Glasgow G41 2SY

Tel: 0141 424 3920

Fax: 0141 424 3108

 

Offers:

  • advice and learning opportunities for the community including art, exercise, English and parenting classes
  • health promotion in conjuction with a local hospital
  • nursery facilities.

Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre (EMEC)

40 Wellington Street

Glasgow G2 6HJ

Tel: 0141 221 4044

Fax: 0141 221 6263

E-mail: rizwanahmed@emecglasgow.org.uk 

 

Offers:

  • training courses
  • employment counselling
  • guidance on job seeking skills
  • learning opportunities.

San Jai Chinese Project

53 Rose Street

Glasgow G3 6SF

Tel: 0141 332 3978

Fax: 0141 332 2665

E-mail: sanjai@.nch.org.uk

 

Offers:

  • family support for Chinese children and families
  • drop in centre
  • parenting classes
  • after school group for children
  • courses in English.

Pollokshields Community Centre

15 Kenmure Street

Pollokshields

Glasgow G41 2NT

Tel: 0141 420 6464

 

Offers:

  • courses in English for all members of the local community
  • arabic and urdu classes   
  • kumon study courses for children
  • leisure classes including keep fit, karate, IT and healthy eating
  • art classes for disabled people (referrals through Social Work Department)
  • nursery available in mornings 

More information

For details of centres and what they offer, contact:

  • your local Careers Scotland Centre
  • the Community Learning Service through your local council
  • local further education colleges
  • your local library.