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Lifelong learning
If you want to get out and about and do activities where you can meet other people, you could do a lifelong learning course. Taking up learning opportunities at any age can enhance your life and help you to feel healthier and happier.
There are a number of different options open to you if you are thinking about doing a course; from one-off workshops to longer courses that can last for weeks or months.
You can often find out about courses in your area at your local library or community centre. Visit our Libraries section to find out where your nearest library is.
'Never be afraid to join classes which are already established. This takes courage.'
Organisations
The following organisations may have learning opportunities that interest you.
Age Concern Newcastle
Age Concern Newcastle has a Healthy Living Centre programme. Contact them using the details given below, or download their programme to find out about classes that you may be interested in.
Centre for Lifelong Learning
The Centre for Lifelong Learning offers a vast programme of courses, which are open to all and meet the widest of interests, in subjects such as: history and archaeology; languages; literature; music and visual art; philosophy and religion; and the natural world. To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.
The Challenge Project
The Challenge Project can help you to achieve national qualifications in English and maths, which are recognised by employers and educational establishments. The opportunity is free and is open to anyone who doesn't have GCSE Grade C or O Levels in English and maths.
The sessions are delivered at venues in the local community, and the time and duration of them is flexible to suit you. To find out more, contact The Challenge Project using the details given below, or visit the Tyne and Wear Challenge website.
Exchange Group
The Exchange Group is based in the Outer West Library in West Denton. They provide online learning facilities for adults who want to improve their skills in maths, English and IT. They have courses and qualifications to suit a range of people, from absolute beginners to more advanced computer users. To find out more, contact them using the details given below.
Learndirect
Learndirect offer a range of courses in maths, English, IT and business and management that could give you the skills you need to achieve your goals. They have hundreds of courses to choose from at all levels, and many of their courses can help you to acheive a qualification if that's what you want to do. You can do a course at your local centre, or from home if you have access to the internet.
For more information, or to find out where your nearest centre is, call telephone number 0800 101 901, or visit the learndirect website.
Newcastle City Learning Citywide
Newcastle City Learning Citywide is part of Newcastle City Council. They deliver a wide range of Adult Education opportunities at a variety of centres across the city, including basic skills in literacy and numeracy. They run hundreds of courses throughout the year, with new courses beginning each school term. Their course listings brochure comes out three times a year, listing the courses on offer at each centre. You can download the Newcastle City Learning Citywide brochure here.
To find out more, contact Newcastle City Learning Citywide using the details given below, or visit their webpages on the Newcastle City Council website.
Newcastle College
Newcastle College has an extensive choice of day, evening and weekend courses. Contact them using the details given below, or visit their website to see what they have to offer.
Newcastle University - Insights
Newcastle University runs a series of public lectures called Insights. The lectures cover a wide variety of topics and are given by public figures and scholars. The lectures are free, although sometimes it is necessary to book a ticket for them. Contact the Newcastle University Public Lectures office using the details given below, or visit their website to find out more.
Northern Learning Trust
The Northern Learning Trust work with people to develop their basic skills in literacy, numeracy and communication. They aim to help people achieve the confidence, self-esteem and basic qualifications to move into more formal education. They work with people through personalised learning programmes, either one-to-one or in very small groups. For further information, contact the Northern Leanring Trust using the details below, or visit their website.
Northumbria University - Access Guidance Centre
Northumbria University offers a wide range of free short taster courses, which can help you find out more about what it could be like to study at the University. Even if you aren't thinking about university study, you could try one out of interest or to experience something different. None of the courses have any formal entry requirements, apart from an interest in the subject.
To find out more, contact Northumbria University using the details given below. To enrol on a programme, you can book online on the Northumbria University website.
Open College of the Arts (OCA)
The Open College of the Arts (OCA) is a non-profit making charity that is affiliated to The Open University. They offer face-to-face or postal tuition with tutors who are practising artists, writers or designers. There are no entry requirements or age limits, and their courses carry optional higher education credit points which can be put towards qualifications.
They offer over 40 courses in the following subject areas: painting; drawing; sculpture; textiles; calligraphy; photography; creative digital arts; art and design; art history; creative writing; garden design; interior design; composing music; singing; and understanding dance.
To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.
The Sage Gateshead
The Sage Gateshead has a Silver Programme, which is part of their Learning and Participation programme. This aims to encourage the involvement of older people, from a broad range of backgrounds, in music based activity.
They provide a range of supported music workshops and events for people over the age of 50. By working with experienced tutors through workshops, performances, visits and intergenerational work, the Silver Programme aims to expand the skills of members, as well as encouraging and developing new ones. For further details visit the website.
For further details, contact the Learning and Participation team at The Sage on telephone number 0191 443 4627 or by email at silver@thesagegateshead.org.
Search Project
If you live in the inner west area of Newcastle the Search Project may have something that would interest you. They organise activities for people aged over 50 years old. To find out about what they have to offer, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.
The University of the Third Age (U3A)
The University of the Third Age (U3A) offers lifelong learning opportunities for older people. They believe that people learn simply for the pleasure of it, and so no qualifications are required and none are given. For more information, contact Newcastle U3A using the details given below.
Workers' Educational Association (WEA)
The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) is the UK’s largest voluntary provider of adult education. They are commited to providing access to education and learning for adults from all backgrounds, and in particular to those who have previously missed out on education.
For more information, contact the North East regional office of WEA using the details given below, or visit the WEA website.
Information Technology (IT)
If you don't want to, or are unable to, take up an IT course with one of the above organisations, there are some other ways for you to get help using a computer.
You can call in to your local library, which all have computers for public use. Visit our Libraries section to find out where your nearest library is. Our section on Information Technology (IT) lists other opportunities that may interest you.
Other useful information
Contact Information
Age Concern Newcastle
MEA House, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8XS.
Telephone : 0191 232 6488, Fax : 0191 2359925.
Email : enquiries@acnewcastle.org
Centre for Lifelong Learning
Joseph Cowen House, St Thomas Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU.
Telephone : 0191 515 2800, Fax : 0191 515 2890.
Email : lifelong.learning@sunderland.ac.uk
Challenge Project
Tyne Metropolitan College, Academy Campus, Hawkey's Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 9BZ.
Telephone : 0191 290 0669.
Exchange Group
Outer West Library, West Denton Way, Denton Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2QZ.
Telephone : 0191 264 5716, Fax : 0191 264 5716.
Email : Charity.Chatburn@exchangegroup.co.uk
ICT Outreach Project
c/o Newcastle Disability Forum, The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1PH.
Telephone : 0191 285 4556, Fax : 0191 284 5313.
Email : paulc@ndf.org.uk
ITCH network
The Old Forge, 1 The Forge, Brancepeth, Durham, DH7 8EW.
Telephone : 0191 378 2332.
Email : alan_sperrin2@tiscali.co.uk
Newcastle City Learning Citywide
Telephone : 0191 277 7497 or 0191 277 7499.
Email : newcastlecitylearning@newcastle.gov.uk
Newcastle College
FREEPOST NT920, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5BR.
Telephone : 0191 200 4000, Fax : 0191 200 4517, Minicom : 0191 272 3304.
Email : enquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk
Newcastle U3A
1 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DW.
Telephone : 0191 230 4430.
Email : newcastleu3a@hotmail.com
Newcastle University - Public Lectures office
Telephone : 0191 222 6136.
Northern Learning Trust
Wear House, Great North Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3BE.
Telephone : 0191 212 5800, Fax : 0191 212 5826.
Email : enquiries@northernlearningtrust.org.uk
Northumbria University - Access Guidance Centre
1st Floor, Trinity Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST.
Telephone : 0191 227 4323.
Email : ul.guidance@northumbria.ac.uk
Open College of the Arts (OCA)
Registration Department, OCA, Freepost SF10678.
Telephone : 0800 731 2116, Fax : 01226 730 838, Minicom : 01226 205 255.
Email : open.arts@ukonline.co.uk
Search Project
74 Adelaide Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9JN.
Telephone : 0191 273 7443, Fax : 0191 272 5135.
Email : searchprojectuk@yahoo.co.uk
Workers' Educational Association (WEA)
21 Portland Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1QQ.
Telephone : 0191 212 6100, Fax : 0191 212 6101.
Email : northeast@wea.org.uk
Article last updated August 16, 2010 3:30 pm
