Derbyshire County Council - Adult Community Education News

We are pleased to bring back the Festival of Learning this year!

The Festival of Learning is an opportunity for tutors and learners to recognise and celebrate the contributions that we all make to the learning journey.

Our Festival of Learning Awards will be extra special this year as we celebrate in person for the first time in several years.

We want you to nominate and show others what they have done and achieved or helped you achieve!

Learners can nominate fellow learners, tutors, learning support assistants and other staff.

The Festival of Learning Awards is a time to celebrate how learning has helped you and those around you. We will be holding activities across the county from the end of June until the County celebration event at Alfreton ACE Centre on 15 July.

The closing date for nominations is 24 May.

Staff categories

• Tutor of the year - Has your tutor given you inspirational learning or have they gone above and beyond to support you?
• Learning support assistant of the year - Do you have a learning support assistant that is able to help you understand subjects or provides you with support that enables you to attend classes?
• Member of staff that has helped me in my learning journey - Is there a member of staff at the centre you attend that helps you to keep attending? This person could be anyone that you think helps you and isn't a tutor or learning support assistant.

Learner categories

• Learnt new skills for personal or professional development - This category could be for someone who has gained new skills that have enabled them to improve their home life and/or wellbeing. Or, it might be that a learner has gained new skills to help them in their current job or to be able to get a new job.
• Achieved something they never thought was possible - Do you know someone that thought they would never be able to understand fractions or to make an artwork they are proud of? It doesn't matter how big or small as long as it means a lot to them and to you.
• Transformed their lives or the lives of those around them - Has someone taken what they've learned with DACES and used it to improve their community? Have they gone on a learning journey with us and now they have new career prospects? Maybe they have inspired others to come and learn.

Nominations are open until 24 May using the Festival of Learning 2022 nominations form. 

Cotmanhay Adult Community Education Centre Summer Fair

Wednesday 18 May, 1pm to 5pm

Join us at the Cotmanhay Summer Fair for free activities and information! There's no need to book, just drop in on the day.

1pm to 3pm Adults – Creative activities, careers advice, coffee cake, seed balls, first aid taster,
floral garlands

3.15pm to 5pm Families – Creative activities, music, seed balls, gingerbread biscuits

There will be refreshments, careers advice, a plant stall, and lots more throughout the day, plus an ice cream van until 4pm!

Cotmanhay and Ilkeston ACE Centre, Bennerley Avenue, Ilkeston, DE7 8PF

Phone: 01629 531807

Email: cotmanhayandilkeston.ace@derbyshire.gov.uk

If you are an organisation that would like to be involved, please email the centre.

We have tons of courses available this summer term.

Learning for Leisure

Are you looking to start a creative hobby or learn a language? Search our Learning for Leisure courses and see if there's something to tempt you.

Qualification and Skills

If you are thinking or turning your life around, we have lots of courses that can help you start your path to a new career. Longer courses start in September, so now is the time to get in contact for information to get started on a brighter future. Check out our Qualifications and Skills pages.

Learning for 14-19 year olds

We offer a range of programmes tailored for learners aged 14 to 19. We can help you to build your confidence and gain real skills for work or to help you with further study. 

May is Living Streets' National Walking Month. This year, they're encouraging you to #Try20 - and walk for 20 minutes each day during May.

Walking is an easy and accessible way to improve physical and mental health and a 20-minute walk can reduce the risk of a number of preventable health conditions, including certain cancers, depression, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

By swapping a short drive for a short walk, you can also help reduce air pollution, congestion and road danger - whilst saving yourself some money and getting active in the process! 

Check the National Walking Month website for their #Try20 tips, resources and check list designed to help you stick to the challenge! 

We have lots of FREE walks that you can book onto!

Not only does walking provide physical and mental benefits, research has also shown that it can help you absorb information. Book onto one of our Walk and Learn walks to see whether you absorb information more easily this way!

Upcoming Walk and Learn courses

Walk and Learn - The People of Shipley in times past

Sunday 8 May, 1pm to 3pm

Shipley Park

FREE

Walk and Learn - Ethel Haythornthwaite and Campaigning got the Countryside

Saturday 18 June, 12.30pm to 2.30pm

Sett Valley Trail

Free

Walk and Learn - Finding out about hermits

Tuesday 12 July, 1pm to 3pm

Hermitage Walk, Ilkeston

FREE

Walk and Learn - Bonjour- Ordering in a French café (and elsewhere)

Friday 15 July, 1pm to 3pm

Community House Adult Community Education Centre, Long Eaton

FREE

Help us to improve and you could WIN an iPad!

Complete the online End of Course Evaluation form given to you by your tutor and be in with the chance of winning an iPad!

Open to anyone that has completed the End of Course evaluation form between 1 March and 31 July.

After the closing date, a random winner will be selected.

The more courses you've been on, the more chances you have to win the iPad!

If you've not received the link to the online End of Course Evaluation form, scan this QR code, contact your tutor or email adult.education@derbyshire.gov.uk with details of the course you attended.

Terms and conditions 

Are you what we are looking for?

Have you got experience of adult education or working with young people? We have several vacancies that might suit you, from a few occasional hours to fit around other commitments to full time positions. 

View the Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service vacancies.