LIGHTING THE WAY
Lighting the Way
December – Ongoing Shepherds Bush
If the seasonal spirit of giving to others appeals, then one of the ways you
might like to give is to help others learn. An exciting new project, LAMP, has
just been launched to provide learners in a deprived area benefit from an adult
mentor. And, as a mentor, you will receive too.
The LAMP programme which trains adult mentors to encourage local people in some
of Hammersmith & Fulham’s most deprived areas to get back into learning
or training is looking for 20 volunteers.
It offers a free four-week training programme at the Bryony adult education
centre, Shepherds Bush, with childcare and other expenses covered.
Participants who complete the training programme and a short assignment will
gain a City &
Guilds certificate in adult learner support.
The project aims to increase the take-up of adult education and training in
the most deprived areas of Hammersmith & Fulham, especially by black and
minority ethnic residents, people with disabilities, lone parents, refugees
and homeless people.
The idea is for the 20 adult mentors from these communities to support 50 other
residents, who could be friends, neighbours, colleagues or family members –
and encourage them to take up learning or training opportunities. They would
point them in the direction of professional advice, support them through the
enrolment and induction processes of signing up for a course, as well as giving
them encouragement to continue and progress into jobs.
As well as the initial training, the adult mentors will get regular one-to-one
support from the project co-ordinator and access to computer facilities, office
equipment, desk space as well as a pack with stationery, information on local
education or training providers and other key agencies; regular networking events
and workshops; information and guidance to help them with their own learning
and career paths.
LAMP is run by Hammersmith
& Fulham’s adult education service in collaboration with the Urban
Partnership Group regeneration charity and Hammersmith
& Fulham Volunteer Development Agency . The London West Learning and
Skills Council is supporting the project with money from the Neighbourhood Learning
in Deprived Communities Fund.
Cllr David Williams, deputy for education in Hammersmith & Fulham, said:
"I would urge residents to get involved in supporting this important
project. You could really help a family member, friend or colleague to get more
out of life and improve their career prospects - and you will gain a recognised
qualification, as well as careers advice and valuable experience in working
with and supporting others."
To find out more about the LAMP programme contact Mary Hennessy, project officer
at the Urban Partnership Group, on 020 8746 2120 or email mhennessy@urbanpartnershipgroup.co.uk.
More About Mentoring
So exactly what is a mentor? You might be surprised at the broad range of views
and ideas of exactly what a mentor is and does. Have a look at this page http://nmn.org.uk/cgi-bin/page.pl?folder=8
for example on the site of the National
Mentoring Network to give you some idea on the views of different organisations
and approaches.
There is one thing, however, that all seem to have in common and that is that
mentoring –which comes from the name, Mentor
, a figure in ancient Greek mythology, is an excellent way to help others achieve
their potential.
The
Coaching & Mentoring Network is another organisation that aims to support
mentors. Why not take a look at the resources
section of their site where you can find useful tools and practice information
for those involved in being mentors.
Mentoring the Mentors
Of course, one of the major benefits, apart from a great sense of personal satisfaction
and fulfilment at helping someone else, that might come from mentoring, is that
is could provide a starting point or a complement to a related career such as
one in teaching or training.
A key part of programmes such as LAMP is to also help the mentors examine their
personal portfolio of skills, future career goals and personal aspirations and,
in many cases, this might quite naturally lead to thinking about options in
teaching or training, whether with adults or children.
Whether you are a mentor or not, west London offers a number of routes into
qualification for those who are thinking about future careers in learning or
training. Here are just a few of the other local options.
Harrow
Hammersmith
& Fulham
Hillingdon
(search on teaching)
And of course, for those of you who are particularly interested in being a
mentor to someone using your computer skills, for example by being an online
mentor, learndirect offers a number of online courses to train you in supporting
others online. West London has a number of learndirect
centres and probably the easiest way to find the one nearest to you is to
use their site to locate the centre nearest to you.
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