Adult Learners' Week at Totton College

Did you know that learning something new was the UK's most popular New Year's Resolution in 2003 for the first time, beating both giving up smoking and losing weight or getting fit?

During Adult Learners' Week this May, Totton College is giving local people the chance to discover and sample some of the fun and interesting educational opportunities available to them throughout the year.

On Wednesday 14 May, the local community is invited to try out subjects such as Flower Arranging, Calligraphy, Drawing, Nail Art, Jewellery Making and Computing and IT. Free taster sessions will run from 3.00pm to 7.30pm, each lasting about an hour. All visitors will receive special discount vouchers towards any course in the College's adult education programme. Adult education advisors will also be on hand to answer your questions about learning opportunities at Asda Totton, from 9am - 4pm.

Totton College Services to Business will be hosting a display at Asda Totton for Learners at Work Day on Thursday 15 May. The College's business training service offers over 800 courses through LearnDirect and a wide variety of one/two day workshops in IT, First Aid, Health and Safety and Food Hygiene.

Friday 16 May focuses on computing and IT training. An introductory free taster session for the over 50s will take place at Redbridge Community School at 2.00pm. Other free tasters for all ages will be available at Totton College, the Waterside Centre, Blackfield Neighbourhood Centre, St Anne's Community Centre and Marchwood Community Hall. These sessions will give you some practical guidance on how to manage your computer desktop and search the internet.

Many people, such as long-standing adult education student Petra Arnott, find that once they rediscover the taste for learning, they don't want to stop. Petra, aged 38, explains: "I have taken so many courses at Totton College that you'd probably think I was a 'serial-learner!' I have studied French for beginners, German A-level, Access for Higher Education and Family Learning courses. After the Access course, I started voluntary work at a pre-school and I was soon offered a job as a supervisor.

The college staff are very encouraging and supportive of adult learners. The sense of personal achievement is very rewarding and with further study I can become a qualified teacher."

For full details about what's on over Adult Learners' Week, telephone Totton College on (023) 80 874 874 or email: info@totton.ac.uk