A picture of success! Newly qualified tutors who received their certificates at the Learning Shop
Twenty one volunteers, who took part in a ten-week course to train them help understand and support adults with literacy problems, have been awarded certificates at a celebration evening in South Ayrshire Council's Learning Shop.
Having learned key skills in helping people read, write, spell, count and use computers in their everyday lives, the volunteers are now qualified as adult literacy tutors, enabling them to make learning materials, structure learning sessions and assess the progress of the people they work with.
Linda Muir, Literacies Manager at the Learning Shop said: "These South Ayrshire people willingly and enthusiastically gave their time to help vulnerable adults rebuild their confidence and skills in reading, writing, calculating and basic computing.
"Their work makes a practical difference on a day-to-day basis for our learners and the importance of what they have achieved cannot be understated.
"For some, the support will make the difference between unemployment, or getting a job. Making ends meet, or getting into debt. Avoiding their child's homework, or helping them to have a successful educational future.
"Many of our new tutors are already working with learners and the results are being seen. One learner gained promotion at work and another has passed their driving theory test. One joined the library and is now an avid reader and a dyslexic work trainee is now reading and writing with more confidence, making a huge difference to him at work."
Councillor Hywel Davies, Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning said: "I'd like to congratulate the twenty one volunteers who are now qualified literacy tutors.
"Their commitment and hard work is not only rewarding in terms of gaining a valuable qualification and practical experience, they offer a very real lifeline to more vulnerable adults in need of support, advice and direction.
"It's very much a win-win situation, making a lifelong difference for learners, while offering newly qualified tutors up to date resources and techniques, backed up with a support network of colleagues with whom to share their experiences.
"As well as offering my congratulations to the tutors, I'd also like to recognise the hard work put in by the learners, who have bravely come forward to take positive action in addressing their literacy and numeracy problems.
"This takes real courage and dedication and I'm especially pleased they have been enjoying the benefits and rewards as a result of their efforts."
Linda concluded: "If you'd like to be part of this excellent success story, we're now looking for more volunteer tutors for the next course.
"This will be running at the John Pollock Centre from Thursday 29th September (6.30pm - 9.00pm) and at Ayr College from Friday 30th September (9.30am - 12.30pm).
"It's a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to someone else's life and it's free, so phone 01292 263304 like to sign up!"