Martha Grant from the Time for Me Women’s Group, in Toome said:
“As pensioners we have limited budgets and so not could afford to pay for these classes ourselves and the group would not have been able to arrange them without the financial assistance of the Big Lottery and we really hope to be able to benefit from the Living and Learning programme again in the future.”
Commenting on the evaluation report, Northern Regional College’s Project Leader Marie McCloy said:
“‘The Northern Regional College plays an integral part in our education system by offering a wide variety of courses, academic and skills-based, and we play a key role in local learning networks and shared education and in delivering courses across the community. By working closely with our project partners The Living and Learning Together project has delivered a range of benefits to those who participated; not least it has succeeded in decreasing the levels of social isolation in families of children with Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. This has been achieved through social activities and events that have integrated these families and made them feel more connected to their own community. Our work across the community with older people, the unemployed and migrant workers has delivered outcomes that create greater social inclusion, wellbeing and a sense of belonging”
“We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the value of the Big Lottery Fund investment of £700k in this five year project and to assure the community that NRC will be working with partners so that the college can continue to deliver valuable intergenerational and community education.
