Over 200 people came together to celebrate the fantastic achievements of the boroughs adult learners at a special event held by Islington Council at Arsenal FC yesterday (Monday 23 May).<br><br>At the event, part of Adult Learners Week 21 -27 May Islington's Mayor, Jonathan Dearth presented learners from Islington's 20 online centre with their achievement certificates and David Dein, Vice-chairman Arsenal FC visited the Arsenal Red Zone.<br><br>Leah Norah Djin Ankrah attends CSV online Centre and was one of the guest speakers said: "In life some people are destined to succeed. Others do it because they are determined. CSV empowers people who are determined and helps them achieve."<br><br>Cllr Meral Ece, executive member for health and social care for adults said: "I'd like to congratulate everyone who has received a certificate. It's great to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds learning something new, enjoying what they do and coming back for more. Our centres have shown that learning really can be fun and is for everyone no matter how young or old!<br><br>We've got one of the largest network of centres in the country. After just a few years they are proving a great way to introduce people to new learning opportunities."<br><br>Arsenal's David Dein Vice-Chairman, commented: “We were absolutely delighted to host the Adult Learners Event at Highbury. It was great to see so many people celebrating their achievements as a result of attending sessions at the learning centres throughout Islington. Through developing their IT skills some have gained qualifications and jobs as a result, and others will be on a journey of personal development, gaining confidence to use computers for emailing friends and family. <br><br>We are very proud of our own Arsenal Red Zone at Highbury, which was the first UK online centre open in Islington over four years ago. In fact, some of our Arsenal Staff have improved their IT skills at the Red Zone, for example members of our Security staff have been developing their IT skills in order to be able to operate our computerised system at the Club.” <br><br>Rachel Thomson, Senior Co-ordinator of Adult Learners' Week, says, "Whatever you want to achieve in life, learning can steer you in the direction you want to go in. With thousands of events taking place across the country, this is the perfect time to find out how learning could unlock the door to your future. To find out more about what's on offer where you are during this year's Adult Learners' Week, visit our website www.alw.org.uk or call learndirect free on 0800 100 900." <br><br>Islington Online is the council's neighbourhood learning network of 20 neighbourhood learning centres and a mobile computer bus. It is one of the biggest in the country and the centers are in a range of locations including Arsenal, the council's libraries, schools housing estates and community centres. The centres also offer a range of activities such as homework clubs, after school activities, health programmes and community activities. The centres also support a range of regeneration projects such as Sure Start, Family Learning and Out of School Hours learning as well as using the mobile computer project to support Islington Council's Summer University.<br><br>Each centre has a full time neighbourhood learning centre coordinator and between one and two tutors on hand offering help and advice. The centres are linked via one network giving people the opportunity to communicate with other centres and work from any of the locations.<br><br>Over 3000 are now enrollred at one of the 20 centres and between January and April 2005 980 new learners signed up, many of whom have not used a computer before.<br><br>As part of adult learners week 21-27 May Islington Council is holding a number of taster sessions at its 20 Online centres The sessions are aimed at encouraging older people to take a look at the types of courses and learning opportunities on offer. <br><br>Ends<br><br>Notes to editors<br><br>Islington's 20 Neighbourhood Learning Centres can be found at:<br>· Central Library, Holloway Road, N7 - First Steps<br>· Goswell Road - ECI - The Goswell Centre<br>· City and Islington College (Local) Junction Road<br>· City and Islington College (Andover Centre) Andover Estate<br>· The Crouch Hill Community Centre<br>· Hilldrop ICT Centre - Hilldrop Neighbourhood Learning Centre<br>· HNG Multi Media - Fire station<br>· CSV Multi Media Clubhouse<br>· Elfrida Rathbone Society<br>· Market Estate (Hyde Housing Association) - Market Online<br>· Mayville Community Centre - Mayville Neighbourhood Learning Centre<br>· Islington Online Mobile Computer Bus<br>· Film and Video Workshop @Hungerford School<br>· Arsenal Red Zone - Arsenal Football Club<br>· Durham Road Lifelong Learning Centre<br> Elizabeth House Lifelong Learning Centre<br> Hanley Crouch Lifelong Learning Centre<br>· Thornhill Neighbourhood Project - Thornhill Neighbourhood<br>Learning Centre<br>· Islington African Project - Elthorne Learning Centre Project<br>· Platform 1 @ EGA School<br><br>The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the leading non-government organisation for lifelong learning and exists to encourage more and different adults to engage in learning of all kinds and campaigns for, and celebrates the achievements of, all adult learners. <br><br>Adult Learners' Week, 21 -27 May 2005, is the largest annual celebration of adult learning in the UK. It is core-funded by the Department for Education and Skills, the European Social Fund, learndirect and the National Learning and Skills Council. More details at: www.alw.org.uk <br> <br>Events for Adult Learners' Week 2005 are listed in the interactive online calendar at www.alw.org.uk/2005/Calendar/Default.htm where you can search by keyword, your preferred date and by the region you live in. Or call learndirect free on 0800 100 900 to find Adult Learners' Week events local to you.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009