TORFAEN

Would you like to become a RISE Learning Advocate ?


Take a look below to see how you can help others and benefit yourself. For more details contact a Learning Development Officer as listed on the previous page. A variety of training opportunities are available.

ROLES OF LEARNING ADVOCATES

Volunteer Learning Advocates will play a key role in working with RISE to encourage adults into learning. As members of local communities, Learning Advocates will be in a prime position to promote learning, offer advice and support and raise expectations and self-esteem of learners and potential learners.

Core duties
All learning advocates will:
Talk to people about the benefits of learning
Help people to find the information and support they need
Meet with people individually or in small groups
Follow health and safety rules
Ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equally
Keep records as required
Participate along with other learners in a RISE Learners’ Forum
Work in collaboration with the local RISE Learning Development Officer

Learning Advocates will also undertake one or more roles from the following:

Committee Work
To assist RISE Learning Development Officers (LDO’s) and central staff with committee work representing learners and working with them to fill learner positions on appropriate committees in Learning Action Centres (LAC’s) and RISE Executive and Partnership boards.

Work with Community Groups
To work with local community groups to increase knowledge related to learning and to identify and develop opportunities for capacity building and training.

Administration
To provide assistance and support to RISE staff and centres in areas such as minute taking, record keeping and filing.

Mentoring
To provide individual support to learners and potential learners and make appropriate referral to agencies within the RISE network and beyond.

Promotions
To promote learning within RISE centres and encourage participation in RISE’s learner structures. This may involve distribution and/or design of publicity materials, giving talks, meeting with learners and potential learners and working in collaboration with the local RISE LDO.

Coaching
To provide specific support for individuals in their learning – helping them to improve or maintain progress.

A Learner Advocate’s Story - Brenda Addison

Brenda Addison, a dressmaker, originally from London but now living in Blaenavon is attending classes organised in her local RISE Learning Action Centre. Brenda is studying Art and History in Church View, Blaenavon organised by the WEA, a RISE partner.

“I love the history classes” said Brenda. “I am being taught by a local tutor who is passionate about the subject and brings the lessons to life. Learning Art is something I have always wanted to do and being new at this I am finding the course challenging but enjoyable”.

Brenda had not attended an adult education class before but found out about the classes through RISE development Officer Gareth Davies. Brenda was not nervous about attending the first class and found the tutors and other learners friendly and helpful and the centre easy to access with excellent facilities.

Brenda is hoping to attend future courses in I.T., Gardening and Art Deco and is even volunteering as a RISE Learner Advocate. “I have made new friends with a common interest and at the same time I am doing something that I find very interesting and exciting. I just wish more people knew about it!” Brenda added.

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