Glasgow Science Centre Release Free Resources for Community Learning and Development

Education Scotland CLD and Glasgow Science Centre are working in partnership to develop and publicise a wide range of free online resources that can be accessed by community groups and families at any time.

There are a wide range of science topics covered, suitable for different levels, including:

  • GSCAtHome videos span a broad range of science topics and levels, from activities that can be tried at home (for example, make your own water wheel) to understanding energy;
  • The Spark is a family learning science magazine with activities, experiments and quizzes that can be printed for those with limited access to online technology;
  • A Spark of Science audio series are short science sound bites to spark imagination and curiosity;
  • In the run up to COP26, the Our World, Our Impact programme includes a series of interactive online events, discussions, videos, challenges, etc. about climate change;
  • Our World Our Impact Hub is the corresponding one stop shop with resources for beginners right through to advanced lectures, live events, activities and workshops, Q&A sessions, etc.

Curious About: Our Planet Science festival – 18th to 20th February 2021

This online science festival and digital exhibition experience, which is part of the Our World, Our Impact programme, focuses on climate change. The festival will include exciting live sessions such as behind the scenes broadcasts from The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and live talks with climate scientists and wildlife conservationists, resources and videos, curated content from our partners, a family quiz, sustainable cocktail making, music and more.

https://curiousabout.glasgowsciencecentre.org/

Still to come…

Glasgow Science Centre are working on developing two bespoke learning packs for community groups. These will be available on the Our World Our Impact Hub from 1st April 2021:

  • Folklore for Future Learning Pack (Ages 3-10) – Explore the wonders of our planet through the art of storytelling and imagine a greener, healthier future through this easy to use learning pack. Listen along with some of Scotland’s leading storytellers and try out some activities at home – why not have a go at your very own story!
  • Preparing for a ‘Just Transition’ (Ages 13+) – Discover the opportunities and challenges Scotland faces in reducing our environmental impact. This learning pack explores the perspectives of people of all ages and backgrounds through group discussions, activities, and engaging resources.

CLD at GSC – Get in touch

GSC has a dedicated Community Learning and Development (CLD) team which works in partnership with community organisations to help communities build their confidence in STEM. An understanding of how STEM relates to their everyday lives can break down barriers, promote change and empower. The CLD team brings science learning to communities through a unique blended programme of outreach, online digital workshops, group work, capacity building and professional development and they are always looking to develop opportunities for community partnerships.

GSC online digital community workshops, called ‘Let’s Talk About…’ are a range of discussion-based everyday science and environmental workshops, designed to relate science to individuals’ everyday lives and build confidence. Topics include Science, Astronomy, Energy, Weather and Climate, plus more to come. If you are interested in finding out more about the online workshops, please contact the CLD team at GSC directly via email: CLDteam@gsc.org.uk

You can also find out more about the CLD team at GSC here: https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/learn/community-learning-and-development

Summary of CLD Covid Resources now on National Improvement Hub

Education Scotland have developed a Summary of Community Learning and Development (CLD) Covid Recovery Resources page on the National Improvement Hub. This new landing page will collate and highlight Covid-19 guidance, practitioner resources, research and case studies relevant to the CLD sector.

Please get in touch with Dehra.Macdonald@educationscotland.gov.scot if there is any information you would like to add to this page.

Education Scotland West regional webinar: Digital Engagement in CLD Planning

Local authorities across Scotland are currently reviewing their Community Learning and Development (CLD) priorities and plans in line with statutory requirements and Scottish Government expectations that CLD will support learners of all ages and community groups and organisations to rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic.

This webinar will provide an opportunity for CLD leaders in the West region to share experiences and ideas around how to meaningfully involve communities and partner organisations in CLD planning under Covid-19 restrictions. It will include:
• Practical ideas on how to use digital tools such as Jamboard and Microsoft Forms to involve stakeholders in planning discussions.
• Practice discussions to share experiences and thinking on engaging partners and learners CLD planning.

Audience: The session is aimed at all managers and practitioners in the West region who are involved in CLD planning in their area.
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Duration: 90 minutes

Please register here to take part.

What Scotland Learned – Inspiring Stories from the South West Region CLD Sector

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the sudden closure of community venues, schools and other learning sites across Scotland. CLD practitioners responded by developing new and flexible ways to deliver key services with, by, and for vulnerable and marginalised learners in schools, colleges and communities. The Scottish Government recognises not only the role of the CLD sector across public and third sector in providing invaluable support to Scotland’s learners and communities during the pandemic, they also recognise that CLD approaches will be key to planning for a full recovery and renewal to active civil society across Scotland.

“The rapid shift in ways of working brought about new and strengthened relationships between school and local authority staff, CLD practitioners and allied professionals. The common goal and shared commitment to identify and target support to the more vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities ensured vital services were available to those who needed them most.”

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

During the early days of the pandemic, there were many examples of the extraordinary work of CLD practitioners to support learners and communities. Practitioners and volunteers responded in a variety of creative and stimulating ways and What Scotland Learned aims to capture, and celebrate, some of the stories of lockdown learning between March and August 2020.

This post highlights the stories of CLD Practitioners in the South West of Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway, North, South and East Ayrshire). The stories highlighted below have been curated from a selection submitted from practitioners, local authorities, establishments, leaders, parents, learners, partners, volunteers and others. The words are their own and unedited.

CLD ESOL, South Ayrshire

Find out how CLD, South Ayrshire changed their methodology to support learning and sustain learner engagement during lockdown.

Follow the team on Twitter to find out more @CLDSouthAyr

 

CLD Literacy, South Ayrshire

Find out how CLD, South Ayrshire, delivered literacies support for learners during lockdown.

Follow the team on Twitter to find out more @CLDSouthAyr

 

Community Learning and Adult Education, North Ayrshire Council

Community Learning and Adult Education delivered 7 Gaelic Language Classes, a Clarsach and a Fiddle class for adult learners during lockdown.

Follow North Ayrshire’s Adult Learning Team on Twitter to find out more @NAAdultLearning

 

North Ayrshire Council’s Youth Work Team

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, North Ayrshire Councils Youth Work Team were fast in creating a full interactive digital programme under the branding of #DigiDReam. The programme gave the team and partners a platform to engage and work with young people and families throughout lockdown.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @NAYouthServices

 

Redburn Community Centre, North Ayrshire

Redburn Community Centre encouraged many of Irvine’s older residents to learn how to use video-meeting technology to help address loneliness and social isolation.

Follow North Ayrshire’s Adult Learning Team on Twitter to find out more @NAAdultLearning

 

The Usual Place, Dumfries and Galloway

The Usual Place in Dumfries and Galloway enabled trainees to develop their I.T. literacy skills to reduce individual digital exclusion, promote competency and confidence in online learning and reduce social isolation.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @TheUsual_Place

 

Vibrant Communities, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities engaged learners in weekly music performance sessions on Zoom.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Vibrant Communities, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities distributed learning resources and made weekly phone calls to ensure learning continued throughout lockdown.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Vibrant Communities, Lifeskills & Inclusion Team, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities, Lifeskills & Inclusion Team continued teaching and learning digitally, which has allowed Community ESOL learners to go for their accreditation assessments.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Youth Work Dumfries and Galloway

Find out how the youth work team in Dumfries and Galloway developed a wide-ranging, creative response to meet the diverse needs of young people through lockdown and the summer.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @YOUTHWORKDG

 

Do you have a story to share from the South West Region? Please contact Dehra Macdonald if you do – Dehra.Macdonald@educationscotland.gov.scot

Community Learning and Development (CLD) COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar series 

Community Learning and Development (CLD) COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar series

  • In partnership with the Scottish Government, leaders from key national CLD organisations are collaborating to provide a series of webinars focussed on the recently updated CLD COVID-19 recovery guidance, and other relevant government guidance and related third sector advice on assessing risk and planning for re-opening safely.
  • The series is designed to address a range of audiences in the CLD sector, both generic and practice specific. The webinars will be of most interest to managers and practitioners in the public, and third sector including community representatives planning the recovery of services, or adjusting recovery plans in light of ongoing changes in local circumstances.
  • The webinars will offer a walkthrough the latest Scottish Government CLD guidance, highlight other related guidance, and provide an opportunity to learn from others’ experiences of interpreting and applying guidance in their context. Insights to the webinars will inform ongoing Scottish Government monitoring and review of the guidance.
  • Delegates are invited to contribute a question in advance of the session, and we will aim to respond to as many of the emerging themes as we can.
  • Please sign up  to the event of most relevance to your area of focus at the link below.

 

20th November, 3-4pm – CLD COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar for universal CLD audience  [additional places now available]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-for-universal-cld-audience-registration-128243396451

 

24th November, 5.30 – 6.30 pm – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for youth work

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-youth-work-24-nov-530-630pm-registration-128597016137

 

25th November, 3-4pm – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for adult learning

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-adult-learning-25th-november-tickets-128616895597

 

26th November, 10-11:30am – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for Community development [Session full – waiting list in operation]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-for-community-development-tickets-128838239643

***New additional date for adult learning added***:
27th November, 10-11am – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for adult learning

 

Lunchtime ‘Blethers’ for CLD practitioners in the West of Scotland

West CLD Blethers Flyer

Education Scotland & The West CLD Alliance are hosting a short series of 4 lunchtime ‘Blethers’ for community learning and development (CLD) practitioners in the West of Scotland.

The CLD Blethers will be at 1pm on November 4th, 18th, December 2nd and 9th. They are open to all CLD practitioners across all sectors. They will be an opportunity to connect with colleagues and share experiences around some of the big issues for CLD practice during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please sign up here and join us if you can!

Big CLD Blether

John Galt, CLD Education Officer reflects on the Big CLD Blether

Note: This is a post from back in the summer which we have transferred from our old CLD blog.

I’ve been absolutely blown away by the amazing response of the community learning and development (CLD) sector to the Covid-19 crisis. While the lockdown obviously led to the abrupt suspension of most face to face CLD activities, from the start we’ve been hearing examples of how community workers, youth workers, adult educators and family learning workers in both the public and third sectors have continued to support learners and communities with dedication, creativity and kindness. Across Scotland, CLD practitioners have been supporting community initiatives to deliver food, medicine or provide vital social contact to vulnerable families and isolated people; engaging with young people through imaginative digital youth work; adapting learning activities to be accessible online, by phone or through resources to use at home; and helping to extend the reach of school and community hubs for children of key workers and vulnerable families. Many CLD providers are now playing a key role in helping to develop local and national recovery plans.

So I was delighted to help to facilitate The Big CLD Blether  – a virtual discussion with over 90 CLD practitioners and managers across Scotland which was jointly hosted by Education Scotland and The CLD Standards Council for Scotland on 28th May. The session was one of a series held throughout May to support practitioners from across the education system. (#ESBigBlether)

One of the challenges in our diverse sector is finding common digital platforms to use. We went for Google Meet for The Big CLD Blether which seemed to work well for most people.

The discussions were based around four themes and participants chose which ones to take part in. We were lucky to have 3 or 4 experienced practitioners in each themed discussion who shared their experiences and addressed questions from other participants. There were a lot of issues raised in each of the four discussions. Notes from the session will be available on iDevelop but here are some of the points raised:

Theme one: Operational challenges for CLD providers

Participants recognised the good work being done to support the changing needs of learners and communities. CLD organisations are also dealing with significant challenges though. Many 3rd sector organisations are facing extreme financial pressures and some staff had been furloughed. In some areas, local authority CLD staff had been redeployed. Many have been realigning what they do to engage learners and communities remotely while trying to address the clear digital inequalities that exist in our communities. The move to digital is a steep learning curve for many and so effective professional learning for staff is key. There is a strong recognition of the need to support the health and wellbeing of learners and staff.

Theme two: Engagement and learning – what’s working well?

Examples of what is working well were threaded through each of the discussion groups.  We heard about the wide range of digital platforms being used by CLD providers to engage young people, adult learners and community groups. We heard lots of examples of practitioners being flexible and endeavouring to start where learners are at online and we were reminded of the Digitally Agile CLD principles and the great resources out there, such as those on digital youth work from YouthLink. There were frustrations at the limitations that some organisations placed on using some platforms, although there was a recognition of the increased importance of digital safety. We heard that Youth Awards like Hi-5 and Saltire are being widely used to recognise young people’s volunteering during the crisis and that as lockdown eases, there is an increasing focus on supporting young people through street work.

 Theme 3: Supporting the health and wellbeing of CLD participants and staff

CLD practitioners can help participants to address the impacts of staying at home and feelings of grief, worry, stress or loneliness. We heard some of the feedback from the Lockdown Lowdown study which led to discussions on how can we best support the mental wellbeing of young people now and as lockdown continues to ease. Meanwhile feedback from the CLD Standards Council practitioner survey highlighted that many workers were dealing with stress themselves. Effective CPD and peer support are increasingly important priorities for practitioners.

Theme 4: Looking forward – the role of CLD in the recovery phase.

CLD practitioners have important roles to play – in education recovery plans and in wider community renewal. There are many opportunities for CLD to contribute including outdoor learning, blended learning with schools, supporting parents and families, youth awards etc. broad range of services, showcase ourselves. CLD workers will also have key roles to support community groups and organisations to rebuild and help to rebuild partnership working and collaboration to ensure that resources are deployed to best effect. Much of the focus for recovery planning will be at the local level and it is important that CLD partners are involved. There will also be an increasing need for CLD to support wider regional and national collaboration to support ‘building back better’ efforts. Participants were keen to maintain some of the new processes that have been put in place during lockdown.

Feedback about The Big CLD Blether was positive. Participants told us that they enjoyed re-connecting with CLD colleagues and discussing experiences and  pieces of work going well.

Both Education Scotland and the CLD Standards Council are keen to keep the discussions going with further CLD ‘blethers’ so please watch this space!

 

CLD Response to Covid-19: South Lanarkshire Council

Community Learning and Development (CLD) response during COVID -19 lockdown

We have been absolutely blown away by the amazing response of the community learning and development (CLD) sector to the Covid-19 crisis. Whilst the lockdown led to the abrupt suspension of most face to face CLD activities, from the start we’ve heard examples of how community workers, youth workers, adult educators and family learning workers in both the public and third sectors have continued to support learners and communities with dedication, creativity and kindness. Across Scotland, CLD practitioners have been supporting community initiatives to deliver food, medicine or provide vital social contact to vulnerable families and isolated people. They have been engaging with young people through imaginative digital youth work; adapting learning activities to be accessible online, by phone or through resources to use at home; and helping to extend the reach of school and community hubs for children of key workers and vulnerable families. Many CLD providers are now playing a key role in helping to develop local and national recovery plans.

We have collected some case studies from the West region that we are going to highlight over the next couple of weeks.

Education Scotland is aware that there is more amazing work out across Scotland. We plan to capture more so that we can keep sharing the fantastic work that CLD has delivered and continues to deliver in the recovery phase and into the future.

South Lanarkshire Council – CLD – Youth, Family and Community Learning Service  Activity Packs

Across South Lanarkshire, Youth, Family and Community Learning Teams have been busy creating activity packs to support children, families and young people of all ages, including ASN, during the period of lockdown. These packs are designed to engage with new learners and to maintain well established relationships with our communities. They can help alleviate boredom and improve the mental health of young people by giving them activities that they can carry out on their own and with their families.

The packs are bespoke, learner centred, and are prioritised for young people and families who have limited access to technology or printing facilities. Packs are delivered directly to the homes of young people and families. This allows invaluable face-to-face contact (from a 2m distance) with the community and the opportunity for staff to offer support if required. Over 1000 packs have been delivered to households since the end of March. The activity packs have a diverse content and include resources to enable young people and families to carry out the activities. Themes for packs have included: Health and Wellbeing; STEM; Family Learning; Cooking on a Budget; Music activity; Baking; Gardening and many other fun and educational activities for people of all ages.

Examples of 2 activity pack initiatives below:

After School Club Busy Bag

The After-School Club Busy Bag was developed as a way of engaging remotely with the vulnerable families and young people who would normally access the clubs each week within Glenlee Primary and Loch Primary. The bags are made up weekly by CLD staff and delivered to young people on their doorstep.

The Busy Bags began as large activity packs which included colouring-in sheets, pens, paper and skipping ropes, and have been followed by weekly themed top-ups. These top-ups have included “Make your own Crispy-cakes” and “Grow your own Sunflower” kits. All of the resources and ingredients required to complete the activities are contained within each pack, to ensure there is no additional cost to families.

3 of the After-School Club volunteers have also been a fantastic help developing and researching resources for our packs. One of the volunteers has piloted her first Busy Bag unboxing video this week. This has allowed her to engage remotely with the After-School Club young people and has also given her tasks to complete whilst she is self-isolating due to her being a young carer.

Quotes from Learners:

“ My son is really enjoying the Busy Bags, it’s keeping him off the ipad and Playstation and it’s giving us time to sit together. There is a wide variety of activities for him to pick and instead of playing Fortnite on the computer, he loved filling out the Fortnite word search and activity sheets” –Mum of P5 St Cuthbert’s pupil

“Due to the Busy Bags, my daughter now has something to look forward to each week, she looks out for staff arriving every Thursday. Thank you so much” –Mum of Loch Primary pupil

 “I loved making the crispy cakes, please can we have more baking busy bags it’s so much fun!” –P5 Glenlee Primary pupil

Cambuslang Universal Connections (UC) CLD Family Activity Packs

Cambuslang UC CLD have been maintaining links with the families they work with on their family learning programme through the delivery of over 60 Family Learning Packs to these families during the lockdown period.

The packs contain a range of fun activities for families to complete together and links directly to a weekly family craft activity that is uploaded to Facebook (the resources for undertaking this activity are contained in the pack)!

Parents have indicated that using the packs has been fun, has allowed families to do things together, has reduced boredom and that they have enjoyed participating on the linked the activities on Cambuslang UC Facebook!

Some quotes from Learners:

‘The packs are excellent, a good time filler and a good mixture for the different age groups. We are enjoying doing the activities together as a family, my daughter really liked the Covid 19 time capsule booklet.’

 ‘The packs are amazing. I feel very happy watching my son enjoy using the pack. I also enjoyed getting involved in the rainbow scavenger hunt.’

 ‘Thank you for the great packs we have received, loved the video

 ‘They were great, fantastic! The kids enjoyed doing the activities, particularly the dot to dot and the colouring. There was a good variety for different ages’.

 

‘The activity packs are fun and very good. They provide something different for the children to do other than school work. They are still learning and the variety of activities holds their interest longer. This gives us as parents a much needed time to relax and do other things. My child likes the dot to dots and colour by number using addition as this helps her number work.’

CLD Response to Covid-19: East Renfrewshire Council

Community Learning and Development (CLD) response during COVID -19 lockdown

 East Renfrewshire Adult Learning & Adult Literacies Services

Continuing our case studies from the West Region on the amazing response of CLD during COVID-19 lockdown, we now want to highlight work from East Renfrewshire Adult Learning & Adult Literacies Services.

During lockdown, East Renfrewshire Council transformed their service to meet the needs of adult learners during the COVID-19 lockdown crisis.  Staff created online learning provision for those who had digital access, whilst recognising that many of the adult learners only had phones, with and without internet access, and that had to be taken into account to ensure the support remained inclusive.  The work that was carried out is a great testament to the CLD staff who have been creative, resourceful and enthusiastic about maintaining links with the community.  East Renfrewshire CLD have positive partnerships and these have been important throughout. In particular, for people in receipt of benefits as some were worried that their money would be affected if they weren’t online and seeking work.  Learning has been a lifeline for almost all adult learners in relation to their wellbeing.  Some people didn’t want to continue with learning but wanted an opportunity to stay connected with the team and/or their group.  CLD staff have been able to provide this support through phone calls and online forums.

There has been a strong focus on wellbeing during this difficult time. Over the past year or so, CLD Adult Learning and Adult Literacies staff had been evaluating the wellbeing provision and had implemented changes including the creation of wellbeing hour and development days for staff. All of the resources and activities developed for staff could be tailored for adult learners throughout our provision.  Wellbeing is at the heart of everything that East Renfrewshire CLD offer whether it’s a wellbeing group or an IT group. From the initial meeting through to the guidance and exit processes a learner centred approach is taken. Staff have benefitted from CLPL opportunities through partnerships within the authority and through membership of the West CLD Alliance, including the NHSGG&C Healthy Minds partnership.

 SQA Wellbeing units

Working in partnership with West College Scotland, CLD staff began looking at the course content and descriptors of the SQA Wellbeing units and were very keen to deliver these.The courses would be beneficial for individuals in relation to their own wellbeing but also transferrable to work related goals. In August 2019, we advertised the first unit, Exploring Wellbeing; SCQF: level 4. Referrals for this course came from within the service, Family First, RAMH and other partners. The course was popular and successful with adult learners positively evaluating the course and successfully achieving accreditation.  The group progressed to the next unit, Improving Wellbeing SCQF: level 4 in January 2020. When we were informed of lockdown the group were genuinely disappointed and hoping for a quick return. This group had already created a WhatsApp group to stay connected out with the course times.  This allowed staff to connect with the group during lockdown to make sure they had all of the information and support they required.

Some people chose not to continue learning during lockdown for various reasons, however, staff kept in contact with them at their request, as they were feeling isolated. For the online learning we found a platform that would work for everyone and provided digital support to ensure everyone could participate.

Working towards achieving accreditation provided a valuable focus for learners during this time. The assessment had been introduced a few weeks into the course and this helped the learners to know what was expected and allowed them to continue with their project from home. They received support from the Adult Learning Services CLD worker and the West College Scotland lecturer; including phone calls, emails and text messages, as well as the online video meetings. In addition to achieving a qualification, the main benefit for the group has been keeping people connected. Three of the group members live by themselves and keeping in touch with others has been a huge help throughout this difficult time. Positive quotes posted on the group chat, comments from other peers and just being able to chat to others has been a huge motivator for the learners and staff.  Working in partnership with West College Scotland, we have submitted our proposal for the Group Award: Mental Health and Wellbeing at SCQF level 4, due to start in September 2020 based on evaluations and consultations with adult learners.

 Staff Feedback

It was such a privilege as a CLD Worker to be working with this group. They were so unique in many ways, not only because of the pandemic. They were such a caring group and so enthusiastic, right from the very start. They were also very appreciative of anything I helped them with. They genuinely cared for each other and formed a bond, with not a single person left out. They were such an inspiration to me.  It reminded me of the reason why I enjoy my job!

 Learner Quotes

  • It helped me gain confidence and be more relaxed to be myself.
  • It was very easy to contribute in class but also during lockdown through emails and the WhatsApp group.
  • It has made me think about the way I was living my life. It was too complicated and too fast. Now I stop and think before I do anything.
  • I get lots more exercise now. I didn’t used to do as much but now I feel better for getting out and walking.

 

CLD Response to Covid-19: North Lanarkshire Council

Community Learning and Development (CLD) response during COVID -19 lockdown

North Lanarkshire Council – Adult Learning Delivery

Continuing our series of case studies from the West Region on the amazing response of CLD during COVID-19 lockdown we now want to highlight work from North Lanarkshire Council CLD Adult Learning Team.

Across North Lanarkshire Council the CLD Adult Learning Team has continued delivering their CLD service throughout the COVID lockdown period. Initially the CLD staff kept the lines of communication open and established the best way to keep in touch with all learners considering the range of devices being used and the level of learners’ digital involvement. The CLD – Communities and Adult Learning Team looked to ensure that fundamental needs were covered such as information on what was going on, access to food and prescriptions and support for those in isolation.

The speed of response by CLD staff was most impressive and all learners had established contact very early on. The flexible approach took into consideration the position of each individual learner. e.g. WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Zoom – all mediums were utilised depending on what learners were best able to engage with reflecting the social practice approach. There also had to be consideration of learners that did not access social media or were not online in anyway. Some learners were contacted by phone and door step drops of learning packs and resources if required. The focus was prioritised around learning and health and well-being.

Highlights:

  • Learning Packs – ALN & ESOL

(Measuring, puzzle books, writing activities, Summer Reading Program)

(ESOL- photo dictionaries, SQA materials, Worksheets)

  • Pivot Garden – Updates posted on progress of newly completed garden and seedlings. Learners were able to access the garden individually and do some upkeep and gardening. Seedlings ‘adopted’ by Community Worker and when established delivered to learners for individual planting.

  • Wednesday Walk – Digital Health Walk – regular timetabled walking activity with theme, promoted via text and social media. Encourages learners to be more physically active and raises awareness of their mental wellbeing. Participants take photos on a positive theme – recent topics have included trees and bees and encouraging mindfulness. Participants then share their photos on social media, increasing their sense of connection. Nature themed topics have been extended with links to materials and activities from Cumbernauld Living Landscapes to encourage further learning.
  • Facebook pages for groups – Motherwell has 3 private Facebook groups set up: Gaelic Culture, Northern Lights Discovery and COLTS Discovery Group.  The learners are able to be in contact with one another and share photographs of their current activities and trips from last term. The Gaelic Culture Group have now set up Facebook Room within their private group; every Tuesday from 1-3pm they meet up for a video chat, practise their language skills together and do a short quiz. One group member who had been housebound over the last term has enjoyed being able to re-join her group online.  The Discovery learners have all kept on track with their activities during lockdown and one learner has just achieved her Silver Award. Wishaw Family History Group have a private Facebook Groups which allows the learners to keep in touch and share photographs of their current family tress and any progress made on their work. The group ‘meet’ weekly for a Facebook video chat: this allows them to socialise with one another, check in with the Support Worker for welfare purposes and share any new findings. Not only has the Facebook group decreased social isolation it has also allowed for learners to learn new IT Skills and explore avenues on social media platforms that they didn’t know existed!
  • ESOL Online -Aimed at ESOL learners and resettlement refugees. Delivered by Community workers, Support workers and Social Work. Ongoing WhatsApp groups where work is posted and a group for information sharing on Covid developments in Arabic & English. Weekly video calls and lessons for each learner. Difficulties were /are mainly which platform to use and longer term the need for a VLE set up for learners to submit work and track progress. Staff need for training in the use of digital online learning platforms and managing of social media.