The BEST birthday bash

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 10:22

The Gateway Partnerships Team have hosted a birthday bash to celebrate one year of BEST.  The BEST scheme provides free courses to adults who are on a low income or unemployed.  250 adults turned up with their families and friends to celebrate at Station Plaza, where they enjoyed drumming workshops, cake decorating, plumbing and children’s entertainment. It was Adult Learners Week, the UK's largest learning campaign and BEST has been hugely successful at getting adults back into learning, engaging with over 2000 adults so far. 

Oonagh Hague, Director of Partnerships, said: ‘There are a number of reasons why adults come back to study, from wanting to help their children with their homework, to getting out of the house, to changing career’.  Tamara, who has completed a number of BEST courses, explains: ‘While I’m out of work, I’m gaining new skills. The Confidence Building Course has really helped me and I’ve also done other courses like computing and photography’. 

The BEST scheme has partners across Hastings, so that adults can usually find a place to study for free that is close to where they live.  They can often get help with childcare whilst they attend classes.

To find out more about free BEST courses for those who are out of work or on a low income, contact: 01424 458410