About Us

Family Literacy and Family Numeracy programmes based on the original Basic Skills Agency models led to a successful Single Regeneration Budget 3 (SRB) Parents and Children Together (PACT) project 1999 – 2002. An evaluation of the PACT project concluded that it “is an effective vehicle for promoting the development of basic skills and family learning” and that “all participants have enjoyed their involvement in PACT”.

This success led the LEA to put together the bid for SRB6 funding to develop it's wider Family Learning (FL) activities and to improve attainment of pupils and the basic skills of adults. The SRB6 Partnership Project 2001 -2006 developed several successful FL initiatives across the county and produced it's final evaluation in July 2006, “ Like Lighting a Fire”.

Since 2001, the Learning and Skills Council have funded Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy (FLLN) and wider FL. The Skills for Life team continues to deliver FLLN and the Adult and Community Learning Area Teams are now increasing their role in the delivery of wider FL to the community. Last year Education in the Community (EiC) worked in well over 130 schools and centres across the county delivering a wide range of programmes from "Play and Language" to "Family Learning Art and Craft".

In the summer of 2006 a successful bid to the The European Social Fund (ESF) obtained funding for a two year partnership project. EiC set up innovative FL engagement activities and, through them, encouraged learners to go on to courses leading to the National Tests in Literacy and Numeracy. An EiC Family Learning Project Co-ordinator was appointed in September 2006. The ESF funding finished in June 2008.

In April 2007 EiC in partnership with Bishop Auckland College received funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) to deliver programmes in Wear Valley until December 2007. The purpose of this funding was to engage local families, increase their skills and improve their chances of gaining employment. A range of exciting and creative Family Learning activities were delivered in the locality.