A reminder that Craven College was shortlisted over 12 months ago for the Educate North Awards – Community Engagement Award. Craven College will be up against stiff competition from 8 other colleges from across the north of England. The final ceremony was postponed and will now take place virtually on Thursday 22 April 2021.
The nomination recognises Craven College has Community Engagement at the forefront of adult part-time curriculum development, this can be evidenced in a wide range of initiatives. Two National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund co-financed employability projects; both provide key workers for individuals who are furthest from the labour market, often those who have significant barriers to employment and/or learning. Craven College delivers part-time courses which are community-need centred working with an extensive range of local voluntary sector and community groups providing a wide range of courses across North and West Yorkshire. Courses are in a wide range of subjects from Mental Health Awareness, Horticulture, Construction, Sewing, Conservation and so many more…
Pippa Syers, Community and Projects Manager says,
‘The Adult part-time, Community and Projects team within Craven College is passionate and committed to engage with all individuals in the local community. We identify, utilise and enhance the existing assets within each community to really empower and equip communities to support themselves and become sustainable. By working closely with communities to asset map and examine skills gaps we plan what is required to build strong, inclusive, cohesive, mutually supportive communities to meet the needs of all, even those that are currently not engaging. All provision is designed with the communities at the heart, delivered at convenient times in trusted locations.’
Economic and social impact of courses and project support:
- 49% of project participants have progressed into paid employment & 34% progressed into learning
- 90% of project participants have increased their wellbeing and 95% have increased their confidence. See our case studies
- 99% of students stated they have improved skills and knowledge that could use for employment
- 99% stated they felt more confident about themselves and their abilities
- 87% stated their family relationships had improved which could lead to less reliance on support services
- 91% of those who attended stated the course has improved their physical/mental health
- 98% state the course had improved skills they could use in the community or volunteering
- 92% of students plan to progress onto further learning – progression into further learning has a positive impact on the students as well as the College
The community provision and project mentoring has made such a difference to individual learners, one commented, “I would still be struggling with my illness and sat at home. I was able to see the opportunities to help slowly ease me into work” another young out of work parent stated “My self-confidence increased because someone believed in me. I wouldn’t be even considering University if it wasn’t for this project.”
