Jean is passionate about her local community but had been reluctant to attend formal training because as she admits she never liked school, and once she had left she never wanted to go back. Her past experience of learning had not been good and had left her reluctant to access training; it was only after much persuading by her husband Stuart, who features in his own Case Study that she agreed to try them.
Her surprise in the content and delivery of community based courses was a revelation; it was not like her other learning experience. She pointed out the most important thing for her was that it was not like going back to school, she found the trainers friendly, helpful and relaxed; sessions were enjoyable and light-hearted while still enabling participants to gain high levels of skills and knowledge.
Jean attended the National Open College Network Managing Community and Voluntary Organisations and Take the Lead. Jean’s unhappy experience of school meant she had left without qualifications; this training enabled her to gain her first educational awards.
There were other benefits Jean gained from attending training, previously she says she would not have had the courage to stand up in a group to make a point, but the training has given her the skills and confidence to do this. She also believes that the practical knowledge gained about local government structures was invaluable, previously she may have been put off by what she saw as red tape, now knowing how structures work, now it was much easier to progress an issue. She believes that the courses have positively helped her to become a more effective active citizen pressing for change in her own community.
Jean is quite certain that if she had only known these courses would be delivered in such a friendly, enjoyable and supportive way, then she would have undertaken training a lot sooner.
She would assure anyone who might be anxious about going on SkillShare training that it is not only friendly and supportive, but extremely useful for those people who wish to take part changing their communities for the better.
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