Groundwork Blackburn aimed to use its programme to build on its successes in running local environmental projects by providing opportunities for local residents to increase their expertise and learn about sustainable development in a style appropriate to their needs and background.

This resulted in a series of community-based sessions pitched at a level of learning between 'taster' sessions and more formal courses. Groundwork had to produce new course materials that met the needs both of residents and of NCFE, the awards body responsible for the certificate.

Groundwork Blackburn has helped to enthuse local residents about education and ideas of sustainability by running an accredited course leading to a Certificate in Sustainable Development.

The project bridges the gap between informal ‘have a go’ sessions and formal learning, drawing in people who often have had no previous positive experiences of learning.

Partners in the project included Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Community Network, Lancashire Learning Consortium and Lancashire Professional Development Unit.

Groundwork Blackburn's programme began by encouraging residents to join ‘have a go’ classes in practical skills, such as making a hanging basket and which were designed to illustrate how social and economic issues interact at neighbourhood level.

These sessions were used to generate interest in six neighbourhood learning groups, where participants learned to create websites about the regeneration of their areas.

Groundwork Blackburn became an approved training centre with NCFE, and its staff were trained through the Learning and Skills Council’s Skills for Life Quality Initiative.

The programme resulted in over 260 residents participating in community-based sessions with 71 undertaking at least 20 hours of study and 60 achieving the Level 1 Certificate in Sustainable Development.

Learning groups still meet and participate in activities to improve their localities. Groundwork Blackburn intends to deliver new courses under development, across the county in partnership with Lancashire Learning Consortium.

Learning points included developing new course materials which meet local resident's needs and the awarding body's quality standards; the importance of accreditation in supporting learners' progression and using mentors in future to maintain the interest and involvement of residents.

More than 260 local residents participating in community-based sessions some of whom had no previous positive experiences of learning.

Production of new course materials that met the needs both of residents and NCFE, the awards body responsible for the certificate.

Part of the funding came from ERDF (£50,000).

Groundwork Blackburn
Andy Nash (Policy & Strategic Development Manager), tel. +(44)(0)1254 265163

/04/2003

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Capacity building