101 – 11 CAPTURING THE VOICE OF ‘HARD TO REACH’ LEARNERS

Community Learning Development Resource 101 – 11

CAPTURING THE VOICE OF ‘HARD TO REACH’ LEARNERS

SUMMARY

Extracts from a national Family Learning campaign guide. Practical suggestions from a national agency.

 

Campaign Aims:

  • ‘Our goal is to make learning a normal part of family life’.
  • ‘Engaging in family Learning Week activities gives family members of all ages the chance to question and re-evaluate their attitudes towards learning. People discover new interests, aptitudes and abilities’.

 

Identification of benefits – involvement in Family Learning Week can:

·         ‘Build new relationships with local families and communities

  • Raise the profile of your organisation within the community
  • Build new and lasting relationships with other local agencies through organising an event
  • Signpost people to further learning opportunities available throughout the year
  • Attract in new customers by offering family-focussed events and special facilities
  • Develop services you already provide
  • Change the public’s perception of family learning.’

 

Connecting with non-confident learners

  • ‘Our research has shown that hosting learning activities in venues, which families are already familiar with is especially effective in attracting ’hard to reach’ families’
  • ’Word of mouth – remember to tell as many people as possible about your event(s). Ensure your colleagues and partners are also up to date with the correct information and ask them to tell anyone they know including friends and family. Word of mouth is not only your most cost effective method of promotion, it is also one of the most powerful. Personal recommendation always carries a stronger message than a poster or article in a newspaper’.
  • ‘People count! Do a head count or put aside some time at the beginning of the event to register people as they arrive. This doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds as you only need to log their contact details.(it is best if you complete the person’s details yourself to save any embarrassment around literacy skills). Remember that if anyone looks uncomfortable when asked for details you don’t have to take them – don’t deter anyone from joining in’.