|
| Case Studies |
Basic Skills Open the DoorWhen clients at Castle Point Citizens Advice Bureau, Canvey Island, come to talk about debt or troubles at work, advisors check to see whether they also would like help with reading, writing or numeracy. Manager Pauline Holroyd says, "When we see someone who can't fill in a form or write a CV, we ask them whether they'd like to join one of our basic skills classes. People can have one-to-one tuition if they want it, or work as part of a small group. We start from where our clients are and try to meet their needs." The Castle Point basic skills project is a partnership between three Essex citizens advice bureaux and two local colleges, South East Essex Sixth Form College and Rochford Adult Education Centre. This pilot scheme is producing results; it is getting basic skills tuition to the people who need it most - people who would not normally go within a million miles of an FE college. The basic skills group meets in a room above the CAB on a Wednesday morning. Individuals are happy to set their own targets and work at their own pace. Kath came to Castle Point CAB after her employer sacked her for complaining about her reduced hours and lack of holiday entitlement. Her CAB advisor helped her fight and win her case for unfair dismissal but discovered Kath could not read or write. Lessons are succeeding and Kath is gaining confidence daily. A few weeks ago she wrote to her grandson for the first time. She holds up his reply: 'He's really pleased with me. He sent me a smiley face that his teacher puts on his work at school - he wrote underneath it, 'Well Done, Gran!" Carol did not have the IT and telephone skills she needed for well-paid work with a local call centre. Her CAB advisor recommended basic skills and an outreach course in CLAIT organised by Rochford Adult Education Centre. She is now confident enough to go for a job as a receptionist.
NAME: Castle Point Citizens Advice Bureau
|
 Back |
 Home |
 Next |