Bringing Learning Closer to Home

The Community University of the Valleys Partnership is a unique partnership between the Higher Education and Voluntary Sectors in West Wales & The Valleys Region, working to develop appropriate community based lifelong learning opportunities.

The partnership aims to widen participation in higher learning by bringing learning closer to home and by making it more relevant to all parts of our communities. Our activities specifically target isolated communities, providing innovative community based learning opportunities, from informal to degree level study, offering accessible options to gain higher-level qualifications and improve skill and employability levels.

Partnership Priorities

Developing Curriculum with Communities

We are committed to developing innovative learning programmes that help learners progress from informal learning to degree level, as appropriate to their needs.

We aim to provide a learning experience that is flexible, supportive, interesting and meaningful to people's lives. Learning that is negotiated and influenced by the needs of learners. Learning that supports both personal and community development and raises people's aspirations of what they can achieve.

Learning from Research

We support the achievement of excellence in research and provide resources for research into issues affecting adult learners. By understanding the needs of learners and communities, we can work towards making learning opportunities fit, ensuring me meet the skill requirements and interests of communities and employers.

Ensuring Quality

We believe in aiming high and achieving excellence in community learning.

Our Code of Practice Aiming High is focused on driving forward quality developments in community learning and encouraging service providers to work towards:

• Upholding a shared ethos of good practice in community learning
• Developing a common approach to the community curriculum
• Ensuring a range of quality support services for community learners
• Providing well equipped and accessible community learning centres
  

Raising Awareness

We provide information to increase awareness of partnership working and the availability of higher learning opportunities within local communities. The partnership also supports community partners' marketing and learner recruitment activities through

• Partnership Website
  
• On-Line News Bulletin
• Conferences
• Lectures
• Publications
• Exhibitions

Developing Skills

We coordinate a skills development strategy targeting managers, community tutors and community workers. We aim to support continuing professional development within individual partner organisations and also hold free training events for workers and volunteers across the partnership area

Promoting Equal Opportunities

We offer training and other support to promote equal opportunities awareness and improve access to learning by excluded groups. Areas of focus include:

• Valuing Cultural Diversity
• Race, Gender and Disability Awareness
• Support for Learners with Disabilities

Sharing Resources and Expertise

We are committed to working in partnership for the benefit of learners and communities. We aim to integrate the provision of different learning providers to the benefit of communities and to minimise duplication of effort and competing activities. Only by working together can we establish flexible opportunities that make steps into higher learning a reality for local people.

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