Adult Learners Matter with ALFA

28/09/2024

Had a fantastic day in Inverurie helping at a event with great friends and making new ones 😊

25/09/2024

Thank you to all those who could make it tonight. There was a Lovely welcome tonight to Caithleen Bell - the new ALFA CLD lead worker and a lovely goodbye to Clare Taylor-Brown who will be continuing to support learner voice in K&M.

13/09/2024

This is the link to the basic group constitution we are developing for ALFA. Check it out

13/09/2024

Here's a screen shot of the sketch we made around inform and influencing adult learning provision locally and regionally

13/09/2024

Big Thank you to the ALFA executive members who could make it on Wednesday evening:

Online Meeting - 11.09.2024

In attendance:
Marr reresentation: DR, CW and LG
Garioch representation; C.McC
K&M representation: MA

Items discussed:
1. Review articles for ALFA website pages
(1x publication of survey findings, 2 on Huntly learner meetings 2/8 and the 5/9, 1 on K&M meeting 2/9/24 and input at LLCP 3/9/24)
2. Current work focus – Learner input on findings at area LLCPs and gathering information on learning opportunities and volunteering experiences in localities (See attached document)
3. Review Constitutions (See end off this document)
4. Discuss Office Bearer Roles – Chair/Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (4 roles)
5. Discuss Bank Account and funding ideas
6. Reflect on the Influential links for the group – Visual to create
7. Wider Achievement Award update
8. Review of the new CLD plan 2024-2027

These items require deeper discussion and a meeting has been planned for Wednesday evening, 7pm online on the 25th September - the key focus with be the constitution.

12/09/2024

Being part of ALFA gives me confidence. Here is me on the 6pm news talking about and raising awareness of FND 👍

16/08/2024

Here are the notes of our ALFA meeting yesterday evening:

Meeting Notes - 15 August 2024

**Attendees:**
- Clare Taylor-Brown
- Natalie Cooper
- Charlie Wood
- Amanda Wilson
Natalie Naylor

Apologies:
Mandy Anderson
Duncan Ross
Charlie McCorry
Lee Gall

**Agenda:**
1. Introductions
2. Updates on team changes
3. Review of recent engagement work
4. Discussion on next steps for reporting findings
5. Next Project for group
6. Establishing ALFA as a community group and funding

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**1. Introductions:**
- Clare initiated the meeting and welcomed everyone.

**2. Updates on Team Changes:**
- Natalie Cooper announced her transition from the Adult Learning and Communities Team back to the Youth and Communities Team.
- Clare mentioned she will continue to support the group but is now a CLD worker with a reduced salary and no longer attending extended senior management meetings.

**3. Review of Recent Engagement Work:**
- Clare presented an overview of the engagement conducted with learners across Aberdeenshire to gather insights on adult learning.
- Key findings were compiled into six reports, highlighting benefits, barriers, issues, and aspirations for adult learning.
- Notable responses included:
- **Importance of Adult Learning:** Respondents emphasized the necessity of adult education for empowerment and personal development.
- **Top Benefits:** Confidence building, improved mental health, and acquisition of new skills.
- **Main Barriers:** Lack of awareness of opportunities, transportation issues, and childcare availability.
- **Future Aspirations:** Increased visibility of adult learning opportunities and more diverse subject offerings.

**4. Discussion on Next Steps:**
- Clare emphasized the importance of sharing the findings with local area learning providers and community partnerships.
- Suggested that a representative from the team attend the Aberdeenshire Learning Community Partnership meetings to present the findings in person.
- Clare will send out dates and times for the LLCP meetings to see if anyone is available to join her.

**5. Discussion on Next project
With a lack of awareness of what learning and development opportunities are out there - the group agreed to start work on developing a source of information on opportunities for learning, volunteering and setting up a business.

**6. Discussion on Formalising the group as a community group
- Clare highlighted the lack of funding and the potential of applying for funds and fundraising for the group's progress with a constitution for the group and a bank account

**Action Items:**
- Clare to share the reports once approved.
- Clare to send LLCP meeting dates to the team for potential attendance.
Clare to send a draft constitution for discussion at next meeting

**Next Meeting:**
- TBD based on availability and further updates on engagement findings.

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These notes summarize the key points discussed during the meeting and outline the next steps for the team. If you need any further details or adjustments, feel free to ask!

12/08/2024

Fantastic meet up today with Huntly Learners Forum - 3 new people have joined and we feel so lucky to have you on board - great meeting - lots of great discussion and ideas - Thank you so much for coming along! We’re getting excited.
Thank you to Natalie for organising the venue - was perfect!

12/08/2024

ALFA meeting on this Thursday evening 6.30 - 7.30pm online - email out to ALFA members - looking forward to catching up!

09/08/2024

A.L.F.A meeting on Monday @ 11.30 in the in the sqare deal building in Huntly. Looking forward to catching up.

26/06/2024

Being part of the Adult Learning Forum gives Natalie confidence. Adult Learning is for everyone...And so her adult learning journey continues! Do you remember when you passed your driving test?

19/06/2024

Please let your voice be heard and take the survey 👍

About ALFA First, who are the Adult Learning Forum for Aberdeenshire? Well, ALFA really exists to represent the views of learners, giving them the opportunity to have a voice, discuss issues, engage with decision-makers, and contribute to improving and developing