Adult learners embrace Festival of Learning

Hundreds of adults took part in a range of exciting ‘Have-a-go’ activities at Walsall College’s Hawbush and Whitehall Campuses, which were hosted to celebrate the national Festival of Learning.

The activities were for adults looking to try something new, to be inspired to engage in learning and gain an insight into what adult learning can mean to them.

The Festival of Learning is the largest celebration of lifelong learning in England, which commemorates the achievements of adults who have used learning to transform their lives.

The annual week-long event also encourages adults to embrace continual learning by taking part in activities and short courses provided by learning providers.

From 19– 22 June, the College’s Adult and Community Learning team celebrated the festival at the Hawbush and Whitehall Campuses through a series of fun drop-in activities, from gardening and jewellery making to learning the basics of business and citizen rights.

Adults across Walsall dropped in between 10am – 1pm throughout the week to try their hands at a range of interactive activities, including optical experiments, garden games, music, dance and art and crafts.

There were also sessions that introduced visitors to baby massage techniques, as well as health & safety and business enterprise know-how. Keen learners also found out about their rights as citizens, and the surprising origins of a variety of English words.

For those who wanted to improve their IT skills, there were computing challenges for them to try, including how fast they can type. There was also an opportunity for visitors to learn about diabetes and dementia, as well as Paediatric first aid.

Liza-Jo Guyatt, Head of Cluster for Adult and Community Learning, said: “The Festival of Learning is a fantastic opportunity for adults to have a taste of different activities and to be inspired to learn. As Walsall’s main adult learning provider this is an event with something for anyone who is interested in learning something new, whether it’s to start a new hobby, make friends or find inspiration for a new career or business.”

Walsall College’s Hawbush and Whitehall Campuses hold a wide range of  courses for adult learners, including Construction, Health and Social Care, Beauty therapy, Business and Accounting, Catering and Hospitality, Horticulture, Teaching and Learning, Computing and ICT, Maths and English, Supported Learning, Childcare and ESOL and Languages.

For more information about enrolling on a course at Walsall College, please call 01922 657000.