It is not too late to help create some learning fun

Added: (Wed Jul 24 2002)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Plans are well underway for the biggest family learning celebration of the year and you could still get involved. During Family Learning Weekend, this year taking place from the 11th to 13th October, organisations all over the country will be opening up their doors to give families a chance to get together to learn something new and have fun in the process. The aim of the Weekend, co-ordinated by lifelong learning charity the Campaign for Learning, is to raise the awareness of the important role family members, and those closest to us, have on our educational and personal development.

Last year over 4,000 events took place in libraries, schools, colleges, museums, galleries, heritage sites, parks, sport centres, shopping centres, supermarkets, DIY stores, cinemas, public transport, health centres and many other venues. Many organisers arrange activities around our three main themes; Storytelling, Healthy Living and the Environment, but anything goes as long as it involves family friendly fun learning. Sports taster sessions, painting, model making, healthy eating cookery, African drumming, dance and first aid are just some of the activities that will be on offer.

“Each year Family Learning Weekend reaches more families who would not normally take part in learning together;” says Campaign’s Manager for Family Learning Weekend, Brioney Hirst. “The idea of the weekend is to show families that learning can be fun and can take place anywhere, fitting into people’s busy lives. With activities happening in supermarkets, football clubs and leisure centres, places families feel comfortable in, it encourages more people to take part. This first step can then often inspire people to take learning further.”

Research has shown that children learn more effectively when they have family support, particularly in the early, formative years. Family members may not be aware of the significance of their role and the Campaign hopes this weekend goes some way to helping apprehensive family members how they can support each others learning. With only 15% of a child’s waking life spent at school, families are our first and most influential teachers.

It is not just the families that can benefit from the Weekend. Venues find that visitor numbers increase after holding a Family Learning Weekend activity. Organisations have also found the Weekend helpful in building community links and developing new networks with local organisations.

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Family Learning Weekend has the support of the Department for Education and Skills and the Learning and Skills Council as well as many celebrities. This year high profile Family Learners include actress Prunela Scales, opera singer Lesley Garratt, and actors Danny John-Jules (Maid Marion and Red Dwarf) and Crispin Bonham Carter (Pride and Prejudice). Collaboration with many other organisations is expected in the coming weeks as details for the Weekend are finalised.

So if you want to work in the heart of your community then why not make the 11th to 13th October your Family Learning Weekend? The Campaign offers support and materials to anyone wanting to organise an activity in their area. We can also tell you who else is active in your area. Call 0117 966 7755 to register your interest and receive free publicity and planning materials. Details of all the activities happening over the Weekend will be available from September at www.familylearninglearning.com or by calling LearnDirect.

As part of their commitment to Family Learning, the Campaign for Learning run a national award scheme giving small grants to individuals to set up imaginative reading projects in the community. If you have a great idea for getting families and neighbourhoods reading together or know someone who might be interested then call Annabel Amoh on 020 7976 2011 to find out more and receive your application pack for the Reading Families Millennium Award Scheme.

Notes to editors

- For more information call Louise Thomas on 020 7766 0003 (07976 175 978 out of office hours) or e-mail lthomas@cflearning.org.uk
- The Campaign has regional and national spokespeople available for interview including experts in the field of family learning, past participants and Campaign for Learning staff.
- The Campaign for Learning has Regional Directors working in the North, Midlands and Southern Regions. They can contacted on:
Southern Region Director: Linda Siegle on 01823 660040 e-mail: lsiegle@cflearning.org.uk
Northern Region Director: Geoffrey O’Donoghue on 01925 419013 e-mail: godonoghue@cflearning.org.uk
Midlands Region Director: Heather Rutledge on 0121 643 0774 e-mail: hrutledge@cflearning.org.uk
- Family Learning Weekend is organised by the Campaign for Learning to raise awareness of the importance of family learning and that it should be fun and benefit family members of all ages.
- Main sponsors for Family Weekend are the Department for Education and the Learning and Skills Council.
- Activity details will be available nearer the Weekend by calling the Learndirect helpline on 0800 100 900, open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturdays and on the Family Learning Weekend website.
- The Reading Families Millennium Award Scheme is run by the Campaign for Learning, with support from the Millennium Commission. Launched in 2001 it will run for three years and covers England only. Applications for round 2 must be in by 2nd September 2002. Awards range from £2,000 to £3,500 and applicants must be over 21.
- The Campaign for Learning is an independent charity that is working to create an appetite for learning throughout society. It is funded by both the private and public sector, including the DfES, DTI, NFER Nelson, Edecxel, National Grid, and Celemi. It organises national awareness campaigns such as Family Learning Weekend and Learning at Work Day. Organisations that would like to participate in either event should register their interest by calling 0117 966 7755.