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Home » About Craven College » The Funding Development Team » ACLF Project

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ACLF Project

Craven College has been managing a project across Lancashire, North and West Yorkshire since September 2011. To ensure that the project has the widest possible impact and that the largest possible number of learners benefit from your work the following ‘Project in a Box’ information and resources have been put together so that others across the country can benefit from this pioneering work.

Project in a Box

The ‘Project in a Box’ provides details of how others can replicate the project and access the resources.   
 

Project Description

The project has created a network of local providers who offer support to Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LLDD). The project has enhanced the offering to learners and increased organisational capacity to face the challenges of future funding cuts.
Informal learning opportunities within and across institutions have been developed, supported by access to formal qualifications. A volunteer training programme has been designed and delivered to meet organisational needs.
 

Outcomes and Achievements

Outcomes Target Acheived Outcomes
Develop network 4 organisations involved in network,

5 organisations were involved in a network that increased capacity to respond to the challenge of funding cuts
Deliver informal learning across network (including inter-organisational delivery)

35 informal learning programmes delivered across partnership

Minimum of 140 adult LLDD engaged in courses (attendance at multiple courses anticipated)

35 informal learning programmes delivered across partnership

172 adult LLDD engaged in courses 
Link to formal learning

Minimum of 4 accredited courses begun/delivered

4 accredited courses begun/delivered
Volunteer programme development, recruitment of volunteers and training  - to include Adult Social Care and horticulture and/or craft skills acquisition

1 volunteer programme designed

Minimum 8 volunteers recruited and trained.

 Minimum 8 volunteers placed within organisation networks to deliver minimum of 320 hours voluntary work

1 volunteer programme designed, with adjustments/tailored modules made for each organisation.

18 volunteers recruited and trained.

11 volunteers placed within organisation networks who delivered 439 hours of voluntary work
  • The project increased learner’s confidence and skills level in a number of subjects focussing on craft and land based courses, progressing some to accredited learning. 
  • Using informal learning in a trusted environment provided a non-threatening, flexible experience for learners who are not ready for formal learning.
  • Project partners have formed a network of similar organisations to encourage sharing of best practice and more sustainable methods of working together. Partners are working closely with the FE College to develop core funded sustainable curriculum to be delivered in the community.
  • Volunteers have been recruited and trained to work with adults with disabilities and a volunteer interactive training package has been developed.

 

Timetable

Month Activity
September 2011 Develop evidence paperwork, electronic systems and Networking Meeting with partners.

October 2011 – March 2012
  • Informal learning took place across all partners
  • Accredited learning took place across all partners
  • Volunteers recruited by volunteer centre and partners, timesheets completed.
  • Training for staff to produce the volunteer training pack. (in our project we used Adobe Captivate)
  • Volunteer Training Pack developed in conjunction with feedback from partners
  • Collect case studies throughout
  • Networking meetings took place bi monthly
January 2012 – March 2012
  • Video case studies of learners and volunteers
  • Volunteer training
March 2012
  • Volunteer training and celebration event took place
  • Impact evaluation analysis
  • Impact questions from partners

Finance

Please note: the following financial breakdown is based on specific courses; all accreditation costs vary as do the length of qualifications which would vary the amount of funding required for accredited learning.

Financial Resources Required (over 7 months)

  

Project Co-ordinator

 18.5 hours per week
Management/Administration 104 hours over 7 months
Voluntary work co-ordinator

4 hours per week
Tutor costs - Informal learning 420 hours @ £25 per hour
Tutor Costs – Accredited learning 60 hours @ £25 per hour
Volunteer Programme Development and Delivery 50 hours @ £25 per hour
Volunteer Programme Development (training staff to create resources)  £500
Additional Learner Support 380 hours @ £15 per hour
Informal Learning Materials £3600
Transport for offsite learning £450
Staff Travel  £400
Exam Fees for Accredited £1000
 
 

Promotional Information

We found the best promotion was word of mouth to learners who were attending the centre rather than posters or fliers. A sample press release can be downloaded below.
 

Top Tips

  • Ensure partners can ‘hit the ground running’ when working to a tight deadline. I.e. have experience delivering learning, have tutors established and learners lined up. 
  • Ensure learner paperwork gathers the required information for funders and providers which can be easily analysed to demonstrate impact and achievement. Remember to offer training to providers in how to complete the paperwork and why it is important.
  • Ensure the funding is adequate to cover the costs of delivery and the time it takes to administer the paperwork.
  • Adult LLDD need more time to achieve and traditional methods of collecting data are not always appropriate. Outcomes and impact measures need to reflect this.
For more information please contact: Pippa Syers, Project Manager, Craven College, High Street, Skipton, BD23 1JY. Email: psyers@craven-college.ac.uk or telephone 01756 708052.
 

Volunteering Pack & Project Information

The volunteer programme was initially thought to be classroom taught but after a consultation discussion with partners it was evident that an online resource would be more useful and sustainable once the project had ended. 
 
Working with partners, Craven Volunteer Centre and the e-learning developer created a collection of resources were created and packaged. The volunteer pack was given to providers on a USB stick containing five folders including: 
  1. Rights and Responsibilities
  2. How well do you know your Organisation?
  3. Safeguarding vulnerable adults
  4. About learning difficulties
  5. Organisational documents
It is packaged in this way to enable providers to add their own organisational information to the resource and adapt it to meet each organisation’s needs. The e-learning materials have progressive quizzes and achievement certificate so volunteers can test and then evidence the knowledge they have gained. Specific information about working with Adults with disabilities was included in the resources, as well as volunteer and learner case studies. Case Studies allow volunteers to see the variety of clients they may be working with and to hear from other volunteers working with the client group.
 
One partner organisation stated “Volunteers have become more of a focus and have been better supported in their role” and "Volunteers now have a training support package" and "Volunteers have moved into formal employment training with us and have been able to take on part-time work for our organisation".
 
The Volunteer pack and associated resources can be downloaded below:
 
Project Registration Form
Register
PDP
Evaluation
Case Study
Timesheet
Scheme of work
Volunteer Pack