Leeds based Learning Partnerships is set to deliver courses via Google Classroom

Learning Partnerships in Harehills usually runs face-to-face tutorials for adults and children.

It helps youngsters with literacy, foreign nationals with language difficulties, and the unemployed back into work.

But the charity has had to change tack after COVID-19 brought the shutters down on the training it conducts in person.

Learning Partnerships has been continuing to help people via phone and email with its groups like New Opportunities, Stronger Families and its Money and Advice Hub.

But next month it hopes to develop its online offering further via Google Classroom.

Cath O’Grady, senior executive at Learning Partnerships, said: “We have been working hard with Adult Learning at Leeds City Council to try and get something up-and-running.

“At the moment all the tutors are going through online training for Google Classroom. We do intend to start offering training courses from June across Google Classroom.”

“One of the reasons we wanted to get this news out was to make sure people knew we were still operating. Not only are we doing our one-to-one support but we are also trying to get back online with courses. We also need people to enrol on them.”

She believes the courses will begin in mid to late June.

Cath added: “People have become very isolated because of the times were are in at the moment. They forget, I suppose, that there is help out there, but it’s not just the same help as walking through the door. It is a different type of help that is available, but it is very valuable help to support them moving forward again.

“Some of the courses that we are going to put on will be about employability, because that is a lot of what we do: trying to improve people’s circumstances. We see one of the best ways of doing that is by trying to get them into employment and improve their financial circumstances and then their life choices.

“We will be putting courses around self confidence and employability on our online facility.”

Skills will include CV writing, the application process and interview skills.

Learning Partnerships has already had some employment success during lockdown in areas which are recruiting, like the NHS and supermarkets. One example is single mum Nasra who landed a facilities technician job with the NHS after doing Learning Partnerships’ New Opportunities course. She received tailored one-to-one support on completing application forms and on honing interview skills.

Nasra, who clinched the job after a phone interview, has paid tribute to her mentor, saying: “You have opened me up to having more knowledge about how to present myself on paper when applying for a job. You have made me feel positive about what I have done in my past and whenever I was struggling with anything you were always there for me. I have learned so many new things that I can use in my future.”

But Cath said access to technology remained an issue to many of the disadvantaged groups that they worked with. Some of their clients don’t have smart phones, and places with web access have also been off limits like its base at the Burton Building and public libraries.

However, Cath hopes to gain access to their base when it’s safe and to distribute computer tablets to their students.

GETTING HELP:

Learning Partnerships is also involved with the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Volunteer & Referral Hub.

The helpline, which aims to help the most vulnerable people, signposts people to the most appropriate place for support. Learning Partnerships’ senior executive Cath O’Grady said her organisation is working with Leeds City Council and scheme leaders Mencap on the project.

She said it helps people get assistance for a wide range of problems, like those desperately in need of food or those requiring money advice after losing their jobs. The latter is very much part of Learning Partnership’s expertise.

Cath said: “We have offered to do money advice for people who are finding it really difficult. They may have lost their job, need help with claiming their benefits and help with knowing what their rights are, because they have never been in that situation before. They may also need help with budgeting with less money coming in, and help with deferring bills because they have never had to do that before.”

She said they beginning to see more and more referrals of this type, but she said there was help out there.

For more information please email [email protected], or call or text 07581 011349 or see www.learningpartnerships.org.uk.

Cath also wanted to publicly thank all the funders who had helped the charity continue its work.