Community learning

Community education is a key contributor to lifelong learning. The capacity of individuals and groups of all ages to participate in developing their own learning is crucial to improving their quality of life. Through learning, people can come to make a real contribution to their own communities and build the confidence and capacity to tackle wider social and economic issues, such as health or community safety.

Skills can be acquired at many levels which are applicable in any walk of life. Furthermore, a vital aspect of community learning is to create appropriate opportunities for students to take the leap and move from informal learning into further and higher education. Whether your organisation is a formal education provider or a community learning centre, it is at this stage that you can play a major role in enabling this progression to further study to take place, as taking the step from a community setting onto mainstream provision, such as a college or university, may seem intimidating and students require both support and guidance to take the challenge.

Further information

•  Local providers

Community Learning PDF

To understand the benefits of community learning and be familiar with local providers and courses available.