***photo opportunity*******photo opportunity*******photo opportunity****<br><br>What: Celebrating adult learning in Islington<br>Where: Arsenal Conference Centre, Avnell Road, N5<br>When: Monday 23 May, 2 - 3pm <br><br>Islington Council is celebrating the fantastic achievements of adult learners across the borough at Arsenal FC - one of the council's partners in the delivery of adult learning in Islington - as part of Adult Learners Week 15-12 May.<br><br>Islington's Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Dearth will be presenting certificates of achievement and David Dein, Vice-chairman of Arsenal FC will also be talking to learners. The event will end with a stadium tour.<br><br>As well as recognising the achievements of Islington's learners, the event also aims to encourage people across the borough to spread the word about the opportunities for adult learners on offer across Islington Online neighbourhood learning centres and a host of other providers, including City and Islington College, Arachne and the Turkish Community Group. <br><br>Islington Online is the council's neighbourhood learning network of 20 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 FC, 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>Funding for courses comes from a range of sources including Islington Council’s Adult and Community Learning funding, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the European Social Fund to mention but a few, and are specifically designed to address a local need for learning for its own sake with local people accessing opportunities to access better health, new qualifications or better jobs as a starting point.<br><br>Dee’s Story<br><br>Daniel Sewagudde is a 23 year old African American who came to the UK 4 years ago, “I came to England to find my father and found myself.” Dee discovered Platform1 in April 2004 and was keen to improve his knowledge and get himself some certificates. “I didn’t know a lot about computers when I started at Platform1.” He quickly achieved CLAIT Level 1 in Word, Excel and Dreamweaver Web Design.<br><br>However, as Dee’s lifetime ambition was to work in the media industry he was delighted to find an Introduction to Digital Video course at Platform1. Completing the six weeks course in July, Dee spent the summer practising his new skills and began an intermediate Video for Television* course in September. Learners worked in teams to produce short films that were scheduled for broadcast on Sky’s Community Channel. Dee learned about all aspects of video production including using a camera, working with light & sound, directing and editing. “I also learned how to talk TV language. I always wanted to do the entire media production but I didn’t have professional experience before”.<br><br>After approaching some TV channels with his work, Dee was offered a position with BEN Television as an editor. (BEN TV is the first multi-cultural and urban channel operating from the UK, and is the oldest running non-mainstream channel delivering contents to the Afro-Centric community.) They also gave him his own weekly half-hour show, on which he acts as director, presenter and editor. The Big Ben Show (Sky Channel 184, Wednesdays 5.30pm) is an innovative blend of education and entertainment, and features interviews with young people on the streets covering topics like gun crime, fashion & music, relationships & sexual health, and realising your dreams.<br><br>Dee continues to follow his dreams. “I just got a free computer delivered because I got a job while I was a member of Platform1” (part of the Peabody Trust’s initiative to support those seeking employment). A firm believer in education, he encourages his peers to make the most of services like Platform1 to learn and gain qualifications. “Once you have an education you can go further. You just have to be dedicated and you can achieve something,” says Dee’s who's long-term dream is to start his own post-production company and found his own television channel offering inclusive multicultural programming. <br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009