Add to Your Support
Ways to Keep Learning
Keep Learning…Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun to do.
Learning plays an important role in building self esteem, growing confidence, encouraging social networks as well as being fun. Learning can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. Learning doesn’t have to be just purely academic, you can learn a new skill or hobby, or reconnect with a forgotten hobby.
- Thinking about Studying
- Adult Education in Kent and Medway
- Colleges and Further Education in Kent and Medway
- Financial Help Available to Support Studying
- Help with Reading and Writing for Adults in Kent and Medway
- Free Online Help for Improving Your Skills
Thinking About Studying
Before you begin to study you should take some time to think about what you want to study and whether or not you are ready to study. You should also think about your background, previous knowlege or education which might help you with your chosen subject. You need to think if you want to study for a hobby or enjoyment or whether you want additional skills that might help you get back into employment.
Below we have listed some questions you should think about before beginning to study:
- What areas of study am I interested in?
- What, if any, career can does this study lead to?
- Do I need to study for this career or can I get on the job training?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- What if any qualifications can I aspire to?
- What qualifications do I already have?
Direct.gov.uk have some advice about getting back into learning and education, to see this information click here.
Adult Education in Kent and Medway
Kent and Medway Adult Education have a wide range of courses where you can learn a hobby or a new skill.
There are many classes to chose from. You could take up a foreign language - or improve existing language skills. You could join in with a sport, learn to dance or exercise to improve your health and connect with others. If you want to learn to paint, take photographs or even sculpt, you can find something to suit you in adult education classes.
You could take a course to add to your CV and work skills. You could do this by studying for formal education qualifications like studying for a GCSE from a wide range of subjects; english, maths or textiles for instance or you could undertake a beauty therapy qualification. There are also courses available on business skills such as IT and accounting.
To search for what local education is available in your area click on the link below depending on where you live.
If you live in Kent click here.
If you live in Medway click here.
There are also many clubs and groups in Kent for you to join on a wide variety of interests, we have listed some below but there are other ways of finding a club or group local to you:
When you are in towns or villages keep an eye open for posters advertising local events, clubs or groups.
Visit your local library as they keep a list of local clubs and hobby groups to find your local library click the relevant link below.
If you live in Kent click here.
If you live in Medway click here.
Colleges and Further Education in Kent and Medway
If you are returning to college there are several places you can study in Kent and Medway, click on the area below you want to find out what colleges are in Kent and Medway. If you click on the college name you will be directed to the colleges website automatically.
You could also find a course through Adult Education, if you are based in Kent click here to find out more , or if you are based in Medway click here.
Or to search for a course go to Next Step for free independent advice click here to access their website.
Financial Help Available to Support Studying
You may qualifiy for extra financial help with your studying for which includes benefits. These are paid on top of the standard student finance package and include:
- Disabled Students’ Allowances (from Student Finance England)
- Access to Learning Fund (from your university or college)
- Disability Living Allowance (from the Disability and Carers Service)
- Employment and Support Allowance (from Jobcentre Plus)
1. Disabled Students’ Allowances
DSAs are grants to help with the extra costs a student may face because of a disability. Conditions covered include mental-health conditions or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
To apply for DSAs if you have mental health needs you will need to submit evidence of your condition along with your application:
- a letter from your GP
- if necessary, evidence from a specialist about how a mental health difficulty could affect your ability to study
If you qualify for DSAs, they’re paid on top of any standard student finance you get. The amount you can get isn’t affected by your household income, and the allowances do not have to be repaid.
For more information on applying for DSA click here or to access the DSA application forms click here.
If you’re in hardship and need extra financial support, universities and colleges inEngland can provide it through their Access to Learning Fund. You can apply if you’re a full-time or part-time higher education student, whether you’re doing an undergraduate or postgraduate course. For more information click here.
3. Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults to help with extra costs you may have because you’re disabled. Find out more about Disability Living Allowance, including how much you can get click here.
4. Employment and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance provides financial help to people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. It also provides personalised support to those who are able to work. Find out more about Employment and Support Allowance click here.
Reading and Writing for Adults
If you live in Kent and you have problems with your reading and writing skills there are some free courses available. In Kent with Skills Plus you can get help with your reading and writing, learn how to help your children with their homework or even improve your spoken English, even if English isn’t your first language.
Skills Plus can help you achieve a national reading or writing qualification and is completely free to anyone over the age of 19. The Skills Plus fully trained staff can arrange a suitable approach to studying that suits you based on your ability. They have centres all over Kent. To find out more or book an appointment telephone 0845 606 5606.
Skills Plus also run free family literacy, language and numeracy courses where you as a parent, carer or guardian can learn how to become more involved in your child’s learning.
For more information on these courses call 0845 606 5606 or email [email protected] .
If English is not your first language, Skills Plus can help you improve your English which could help you manage better in everyday life, help you if applying for UK Citizenship, help you gain better qualifications or even help your job prospects. Skills Plus have a variety of free courses in English, maths, IT for you to choose from. These courses are partially funded or free. To find out more call 0845 606 5606.
Medway also run Family Language, Literacy and Numeracy (FLLN) classes, FLLN programmes have three main aims:
- to improve the literacy, language and numeracy skills of parents/carers with opportunities to access national qualifications
- to improve parents’ ability to support their children’s learning
- to improve children’s acquisition of literacy, language and numeracy skills
Provision is free and focused on parents/carers who have low levels of literacy and numeracy and fall within specified categories such as parents/carers living in disadvantaged communities. For courses to run, there needs to be a minimum of 8 and maximum of 12 learners. If the course is for families (parent and child) minimum of 9, maximum of 12 learners if adults only.
Please contact your children’s school to check if this provision is available or ring Bel Tej, FLLN Curriculum Manager. on 01634 338475 to find the nearest school or children’s centre where you can join classes.
Free Online Help for Improving Your Skills
Here you will find some free online study resources which can help you improve your learning skills.
BBC Resources:
The BBC Skillswise website contains a lot of interesting and useful learning materials for people wanting to improve their English and maths and covers subjects such as reading, writing, spelling, adding up, percentages. For more information and to see the website click here.
BBC Webwise is a free online resource to help you learn about computers and how to get more confident on the internet as well as hints and tips to stay safe online. To access this information click here.
Quick Reads
Quick Reads are short books by best selling writers and celebrities and are great for adults who have stopped reading or find reading difficult or just want a short fast read. You can see what titles are available by clicking here.
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