The Seminar The Celebrating Older Learners seminar on 19 March 2001 sought to address of the issues facing older learners by an exploration of some of the learning activities underway across England. Specifically, the seminar provided an opportunity for delegates to discuss what works – and what doesn't - and to extract some of the key elements in successfully developing provision for older learners. The seminar also provided a valuable opportunity for Government and the Learning and Skills Council to hear and discuss practitioners' views about later life learning more generally. This Report This report is divided into two parts: Part One discusses the aim of the Celebrating Older Learners seminar and provides the text of the speeches given by Malcolm Wicks, Lifelong Learning Minister, and John Sharman, Learning and Skills Council. It also offers background information on the four projects which were presented at the event. Part Two is based on the group and plenary discussion sessions where delegates sought to distil the essence of a successful project; and to extract the key lessons which others might find useful in planning and running their own activities. Part Two translates the points made into a) good practice and b) recommendations. The report is available to browse in full below and is also available to download. Contents Foreword by John Healey, Adult Skills Minister Part One: Introduction Celebrating Older Learners: Malcolm Wicks Older Learners and the Learning and Skills Council: John Sharman The Keeping Active Project Little Acorn Community Development Project The Play's The Thing Putting the Growth into Growing Older Part Two: Good Practice Recommendations Further Reading and Useful Websites Annex: Seminar Programme

Click here to go to Lifelong Learning or the DFES Website. This page was last updated on the 24th August 2001.