Introduction:

The Avenues Lifelong Learning Centre was established to consolidate and enhance existing day service provision on the site of St Nicholas Hospital by promoting accessible learning opportunities, reaching out to new learners and through wider participation in education and training.

The centre provides a wide range of vocational, educational and training courses to individuals with long term and enduring mental health problems and delivers learning to forensic and special care clients on wards.

All of our training and education courses are free of charge.

The Avenues Lifelong Learning Centre is committed to developing an approach to education that encourages all students to participate. It recognises that everyone has potential to contribute positively to society regardless of their age, race, culture or disability.

Educational programmes are based upon individual needs, abilities and capabilities negotiated with the student and reviewed regularly.

Our dedicated staff aim to deliver responsive, flexible courses and have a thorough understanding of the learning process. We recognise the value of providing a supportive learning environment so that all who participate have the ability to fulfil their potential.

A key instrument used in the planning for learning is an individual student log that is completed after each session. Accreditation of prior learning is also taken into account.
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Aims:

• Improve barriers to learning, by engaging and empowering students through the development of educational opportunities
• Enable students to gain a recognised qualification
• Engage students to fulfil new learning potential and goals
• Raise awareness about Further Education and Training Opportunities
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Eligibility Criteria:

• People suffering from severe and enduring mental health problems and
• Resident in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland and are
• Aged 16-59 and are
• Not currently engaged in education and are
• Unemployed or on sickness from work more than 6 months
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Centre Information:

The centre is open to students between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm - Monday to Friday.

We have a fully equipped training room with a computer suite (including internet access) and fully qualified training officers. If you are unable to come to the centre arrangements can be made to deliver out-reach training.
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What we offer:

• Learning that takes place in a friendly environment
• A choice of educational courses to meet individual needs
• An opportunity for individuals to pursue goals
• A chance to gain a recognised qualification
• Advice and guidance to help students move into mainstream further education and training
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Courses we offer:

Key Skills in:

• Information Technology
• Communication
• Application of Number

Wider Key Skills in:

• Working with Others
• Problem Solving
• Improving Own Learning and Performance

Students are encouraged to develop a project of their choice and build a portfolio of evidence based upon their chosen topic and key skill area. Within the Wider Key Skills we offer individual or small group sessions in areas such as confidence building, music, drama, digital camera work etc. Upon completion of a portfolio, students will be given the opportunity to sit an examination at the centre. Key Skills are transferable, which means they are relevant to most types of employment.

Basic Literacy and Numeracy Skills training and support is also available.
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Enquiries, Referral Procedures and Enrolment:

Students may be referred by telephone or in writing to our occupational therapy team by a key worker or other health professional. A referral form is then sent out and should be completed by the Key Worker.

Once referral forms have been received an initial assessment is made by our occupational therapy team and an appointment is arranged for a preliminary interview. At this stage recommendations will be discussed with all individuals concerned and a suitable learning programme identified. Our objective is to encourage students to become actively involved in planning their own course of study.
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Progression:

Pre-exit support and training is given to students to help them with their progression into mainstream education and training opportunities.
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