Support for UkraineMultiplying Laughter and Brain Power
Residents at BCP Council’s independent living scheme Gladys Court are having fun whilst exercising their brain power with Skills & Learning Adult Community Education and MULTIPLY.
Skills & Learning tutor Jo Hosking is part-way through a MULTIPLY Get Number Confident course with the Bournemouth residents and as class member Maggie explained, despite some initial ‘nerves,’ the sessions are receiving full marks from all concerned:
“I think a most of us were a little worried when the numeracy sessions were first mentioned,” said Maggie, “I for one struggled with maths at school, so the thought of going back to it after all these years wasn’t exactly appealing!
“I also worried I wouldn’t know anything and would feel a bit silly – but I needn’t have worried at all. Jo is lovely – not at all like the school maths teachers I remember – and although I wouldn’t say I’ve become a maths expert, I’m certainly enjoying being part of the class.”
Frances agreed: “I felt I was quite terrible at maths at school! – but I’ve surprised myself with some of the things I’ve remembered, and I think that’s been helped by Jo. She’s very patient, chatty and fun and we’re all just enjoying exploring her little number quizzes together.”
MULTIPLY is a UK-wide, government-funded initiative to improve adult numeracy.
During the last 18 months here in Dorset, Skills & Learning Adult Community Education and its partners have provided a wealth of free, numeracy-based courses to over 2000 people.
Participants from a wide cross section of the community have included parents of school-aged children, people with learning difficulties, employees wanting to improve their career prospects and those learning English as a second or foreign language, as well as older people.
Gladys Court class member Zara said: “We all use numbers every day, such as when we’re doing our shopping, or working out our bills, and here at Gladys Court most of us love quizzes, so this is a good way of doing both.
“I never actually enjoyed maths, although I was pretty good at it, and I’m finding these classes interesting.”
Ann agreed: “We’re working the problems out together, laughing plenty, and we’re also getting our brains working, which is great.”
Multiply Weekly sessions available in centres across Dorset and online include:
- Get Number Confident
- Get Money Confident
- Get Maths Confident for Work
- Get Ready for Functional Skills
- Help your Child with Maths
For more information phone: 01202 123444 email enquiries@salbcp.com or visit: Multiply – Free Maths Courses – Skills & Learning Adult Community Education to learn more.
