Lancashire Adult Learning has launched an Immersive Care Hub at its Northlight home attended by 20 of the county’s key employers in the Health and Social Care sector.

The launch of the Health and Social Care immersive learning environment is a significant development in a Lancashire-wide strategic plan to improve the skills of the workforce in the sector.

The new facility, developed in partnership with the Department for Health and Social Care and Skills for Care, is specifically designed to provide an authentic learning experience for those seeking a career in Health or Social Care, and to attract fresh talent into the industry.

At the launch of the hub, employers from across Lancashire had the chance to provide their expert knowledge and input into redesigning the curriculum so that learners aged 19-years-old and over who wish to enter into a career or further study in Health and Social Care are receiving industry-relevant training.

Alison Rushton, Vice Principal at Lancashire Adult Learning, said: “I’m thrilled to launch our Immersive Care Hub with some of the county’s leading Health and Social Care employers and industry experts, and I firmly believe that by working together we can improve the sector.”

Nicola Hall, Head of Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships at Lancashire Adult Learning, said: “The facility looks absolutely brilliant and is the perfect environment for Health and Social Care learning. The constructive input from our discussions around what skills the Health and Social Care sector requires will prove invaluable too in developing an industry-relevant curriculum.”

Kerry Hemsworth, Deputy Director of Education at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The newly introduced Health and Social Care curriculum developed by Lancashire Adult Learning will provide their local community with an additional platform and pathway into Health and Social Care careers.

“Employers need a workforce with a diverse range of skills, knowledge and behaviours to deliver excellent care, and it is clear that the curriculum design is being mapped to employer needs.

“It will be interesting to see how the immersive learning environment helps to develop a learner’s skills in a safe and simulated setting with the ultimate aim of bridging the industry’s skills gaps.”

Tracy Heyes, Strategic Partnership Manager Lancashire Skills Hub, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “The LEP is investing Lancashire Growth Deal funds in over 50 projects across the county which, together, will drive significant economic growth.

“One of these projects is Northlight. We have invested £4.95m to support the regeneration of a once empty, abandoned building and transform it into a valuable community asset with leisure facilities, apartments and offices, creating jobs and driving local economic growth in the process.

“It’s really exciting to see space at Northlight being used to provide an immersive learning environment for Health and Social Care as well. The Health and Social Care sector is predicted to grow across Lancashire and it is so important that there are modern, high-quality facilities to support the development of skills in our future workforce and to upskill existing staff members.”

June Sears-Jones, Manager at Stocks Hall Nursing & Care Group, said: “We are extremely grateful for the launch and the help that this facility will provide for the group. We look forward to working together in partnership with Lancashire Adult Learning to improve quality of life for all. We are proud to be involved in skills development, and it was inspiring to see the potential this facility has, with the passion there is for improving the sector.”

Lisa Fitzsimmons, Manager at Dalesview Partnership, said: “I’m very pleased that some of the core issues in the Health and Social Care sector are being addressed. The launch is very encouraging and the hub is a fantastic facility. The enthusiasm for improvement is here and I think the future is positive.”

Lancashire Adult Learning’s guide for Spring is out now and is full of inspiration for the new year, with courses to help adults across the Red Rose County develop a new hobby, learn a new skill, improve their wellbeing, enhance their social life, gain employment or change career.

As well as its targeted delivery and partnership work, Lancashire Adult Learning offers a huge range of planned provision across Lancashire, from Arts and Crafts to Humanities classes, Languages to Health and Wellbeing sessions and Functional Skills English and Maths and Employability courses.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.

Lancashire Adult Learning has successfully launched its participation in social prescribing after a Health and Wellbeing showcase in Accrington.

Working in partnership with Peel House Medical Practice in Accrington, LAL’s Healthier Hyndburn event at Accrington Town Hall attracted more than 100 people who came along to try out a range of Health and Wellbeing activities and initiatives.

Social prescribing is about connecting people to non-medical support in the community – an example being where education is prescribed as an alternative to medication, empowering people with the right tools to become self-managing and resilient.

‘Have a go’ learning experiences on the day included healthier microwave cookery, chair based drumming, Mandala stone art, the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and First Aid, as well as Family Learning, Volunteering and ICT and Digital activities. There was also the chance to discover the range of Health and Wellbeing courses that can be offered in the Hyndburn area.

Karen Coburn, 53, from Rising Bridge, said: “I found out about Lancashire Adult Learning while attending East Lancashire Recovery College.

“I do a lot of meditation, but I wanted to do a course more focused on mindfulness. It has been excellent and it been the catalyst for me to meditate again and life is better when I meditate.

“I have taken part in Stress Awareness and the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and the exercises have been designed to suit different situations. We’re hoping to keep the numbers up and become a self-sufficient group.

“I also signed up for First Aid and a horticulture course. I’ve always been interested in horticulture but I have never really considered it as a career – and I’m currently having a career rethink at the moment.”

Megan Smith, 29 from Accrington, attended with two of her children. She said: “I have found the Healthier Hyndburn event very helpful. I have an older daughter at school who has learning difficulties, and I have picked up some useful techniques that I can take home with me to be able to support her in her learning.

“I also found the microwave cookery sessions interesting. The food was really simple and tasty, and I’m taking home some menus so that I can cook healthier meals.”

Nicola Hall, Head of Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships at Lancashire Adult Learning, said: “Our Healthier Hyndburn event was a very positive start to our involvement with social prescribing as well over 100 people were able to participate in vibrant learning activities designed to help them manage their own wellness.

“Those who attended will also now be able to access a range of community learning courses in the Hyndburn area to start their learning journey in order to better look after their Health and Wellbeing.

“We had fantastic feedback from learners and visitors who felt thoroughly inspired by the activities that they had participated in and I would like to thank all of our partner organisations who helped contribute to the overall success of the launch.”

Michelle Pilling, Deputy Chair of the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “On display today at Lancashire Adult Learning’s Healthier Hyndburn showcase is the art of the possible – a whole spectrum of ideas to support health and wellbeing and in so many creative ways.

“The LAL team are fantastic, demonstrating how they are able to make a difference to people’s lives in a powerful way. On display is a snapshot of the potential that they are able to offer to communities, and it is also excellent to see so much partnership work in action.”

Any businesses and organisations in Lancashire who would be interested in working with Lancashire Adult Learning’s Health and Wellbeing Team can contact Sarah Haworth at s.haworth@lal.ac.uk

As well as its targeted delivery and partnership work, Lancashire Adult Learning offers a huge range of planned provision across the Red Rose County, from Arts and Crafts to Humanities classes, Languages to Health and Wellbeing sessions and Functional Skills English and Maths and Employability courses.

In February 2018, Lancashire Adult Learning was named as the inaugural winner of the national Adult and Community Learning Provider of the Year at the TES FE Awards.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.

Lancashire Adult Learning has teamed up with Blackpool Council and the Department for Work and Pensions to raise the aspirations of residents on the Fylde Coast.

The Raising Aspirations event saw almost 200 people walk through the doors of Blackpool Central Library seeking a change in career, a better job or the chance to sign up to a range of educational opportunities to improve their employment prospects.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet local employers and apply for live vacancies on the day, as well as find out more about free Work Clubs and Functional Skills courses, gain expert careers advice and take part in free employability workshops to develop skills including CV writing techniques and correctly completing job applications.

The Raising Aspirations event is the third roadshow of its kind delivered by LAL this autumn, after Lancaster and Skelmersdale, and a fourth will take place in South Ribble on Tuesday 29th October at Leyland Civic Centre.

Tom Gee, Head of Curriculum for Employability, Volunteering and Skills at Lancashire Adult Learning, said: “We have a successful model for our Raising Aspirations events, which we adapt to different community needs throughout Lancashire. I’m delighted that our Raising Aspirations event on the Fylde Coast has been another positive and impactful showcase.

“It’s also been another brilliant example of our approach to partnership work, and I’d like to thank Blackpool Council, Blackpool Adult Learning and the Department for Work and Pensions for their receptive attitude to collaboration and their support to ensure successful delivery of this event.”

Wendy Stevenson, Curriculum Manager for Adult, Community and Family Learning at Blackpool Adult Learning, said: “The Raising Aspirations event has been very successful. We’re very pleased at how many people have attended and overall it has been a great day for those seeking employment opportunities or a change of career in the Blackpool area.”

Cathy Ross, Employer Advisor Manager at the Department for Work and Pensions in Lancashire, said: “Working in partnership with Lancashire Adult Learning and Blackpool Council brings lots of benefits to our customers, particularly in relation to employability and moving them towards the labour market. The Raising Aspirations has been very encouraging and I am delighted with the results.”

As well as its targeted delivery and partnership work, Lancashire Adult Learning offers a huge range of planned provision across the Red Rose County, from Arts and Crafts to Humanities classes, Languages to Health and Wellbeing sessions and Functional Skills English and Maths and Employability courses.

LAL’s new course guide for Autumn is now out, and is packed with a wide range of courses to help adults across the county learn a new skill, enhance their social life, or develop their career prospects during the first term of the new academic year.

In February 2018, Lancashire Adult Learning was named as the inaugural winner of the national Adult and Community Learning Provider of the Year at the TES FE Awards.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.

Lancashire Adult Learning has held a hugely successful employability event at Lancaster Town Hall – attracting 200 people seeking work or a change in career.

The Raising Aspirations event was held to highlight the number of employment and educational opportunities that exist for local residents in the Lancaster and Morecambe area, and by working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and Lancaster City Council, numerous people attending on the day walked away with offers of work, with even more submitting applications for positions or enrolling onto courses to develop their skills.

More than 20 employers from a range of sectors were in attendance, and a free bus service was put on for Jobcentre Plus customers to allow those from Morecambe and outlying areas to attend the showcase.

The Lancaster event is the first in a list of Raising Aspirations roadshows this autumn, as the LAL team visits Blackpool on Friday 27 September and Leyland on Tuesday 29 October.

Nicola Hall, Head of Curriculum and Strategic Partnerships at Lancashire Adult Learning said: “Our Raising Aspirations events continue to grow, and take an increasingly important place in our calendar of events.

“I’m very pleased to see that the first Raising Aspirations event of its kind for Lancaster and Morecambe residents was extremely successful. Many people were arriving visibly apprehensive, but were leaving the event with a spring in their step, which is incredibly satisfying to see.

“The success of the event is only achievable through quality partnership work, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to positively work with Jobcentre Plus again, and also team up with Lancaster City Council who worked hard on the ground to encourage more than 50 people through the door who were not referred from the job centres.

“We have a formula that works, and a track-record for delivering results, and this enables us to successfully lift and shift our Raising Aspirations event template to other areas of the county. We’re looking forward to rolling out our roadshow again in the coming weeks.”

Julie Casson, Jobcentre Plus Partnership Manager for Lancaster and Morecambe, said: “The Lancashire Adult Learning Raising Aspirations event was a terrific employability and careers showcase and a fantastic example of successful partnership work between LAL, JCP Lancaster and Morecambe, and Lancaster City Council.

“With 200 people coming through the doors, three quarters of these were customers referred to the event by JCP. I’m delighted at this strong figure, and the positive outcomes in terms of job offers and job applications submitted to employers in attendance on the day.

“Across the county, we have an evolving partnership with Lancashire Adult Learning, and I look forward continuing our great work with the team at LAL.”

Cllr Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet member with responsibility for economic development at Lancaster City Council, said: “I’m delighted that the city council was able to support Lancashire Adult Learning and Jobcentre Plus to bring this valuable opportunity to the residents of our district.

“It is important that our local employers and education providers are able to showcase their opportunities and connect with local people looking for work or training, and in this respect the event was a great success. It was the first time an event like this has been held in our district and I look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver similar events in the future.”

As well as its targeted delivery and partnership work, Lancashire Adult Learning offers a huge range of planned provision across the Red Rose County, from Arts and Crafts to Humanities classes, Languages to Health and Wellbeing sessions and Functional Skills English and Maths and Employability courses.

LAL’s new course guide for Autumn is now out, and is packed with a wide range of courses to help adults across the county learn a new skill, enhance their social life, or develop their career prospects during the first term of the new academic year.

In February 2018, Lancashire Adult Learning was named as the inaugural winner of the national Adult and Community Learning Provider of the Year at the TES FE Awards.

Further information about Lancashire Adult Learning can be found at www.lal.ac.uk or by calling 0333 003 1717.