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UEL scoops national award in Adult Learners’ Week

Thursday 17 May 2012

Thurrock Learning Shop

In the week when the achievements of adult learners are being celebrated across the UK, the University of East London (UEL) has scooped a prestigious award for its outstanding work with people in the South Essex area.

The Thurrock Learning Shop, which is managed by UEL, picked up an Inspiring Learning Project Award at a special ceremony in London earlier this week, as part of Adult Learners’ Week National Awards.

The Thurrock Learning Shop in Grays, Essex, was set up to encourage more adults in South Essex to discover the opportunities available to them, in response to the area's traditionally low participation in post-16 learning, especially in Higher Education. Since launching in December 2009, it has engaged more than 1,200 adults in learning activities, and has also reached marginalised groups of adults by hosting community events for free.

UEL Pro Vice-Chancellor, Selena Bolingbroke, said: “We’re delighted to receive this award, and it is testament to the sheer hard work that UEL staff and its partners have put in since this community facility opened. We know this is an area where people have tended not to pursue education after they finished their time at school. This clearly demonstrates that the learning shop is giving local communities in South Essex the advice, skills and encouragement to once again take advantage of the learning opportunities, which are so readily available to them.”

Service user, Maria Kavembe, who moved to the UK from Zimbabwe five years ago, said: ““The Learning Shop has had a very big impact on my life for the better, helping me develop my skills and gain confidence. It has also made an impact on my family.”

The ceremony was organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and attended by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Adult Learners’ Week takes place between Saturday, 12 May and Friday, 18 May 2012, and is the largest annual celebration of adult learning in the UK. UEL is holding an Adult Learners’ Week celebration event at its Stratford Campus on Wednesday, 16 May.

For further information on the Thurrock Learning Shop, please contact Debbie Briscoe on D.Brisco@uel.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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