New project to impove learning for older people: NIACE wants to hear from ERoSH members

A new project to enhance learning in care settings and to support care staff in delivering learning - commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) - is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). The project will put into practice the findings of The Learning Revolution White Paper, which reported that ‘learning can improve the health and quality of life for older people in care, but too often it's missing.'

The first stage of the project - Enhancing informal learning in care settings - will be carried out over the next few weeks, with a report being published to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons, October 1st 2009. The report will outline different learning models and will highlight the benefits of offering learning to older people in care settings. It will also make recommendations on how to start improving learning in care settings - such as inspection, sustainable funding, staff training and qualifications.

Fiona Aldridge, NIACE Programme Director Research, said: 'NIACE is very pleased to be leading on this project and our research will help us draw recommendations from current practice. Evidence of the impact of learning upon people's well-being cannot be ignored, especially in the case of older people in care, where engaging in learning opportunities can make the world of difference to their health and happiness.'

She continued, 'To help with our research, we would like to hear from older people in residential, day and home care settings and in sheltered housing, their relatives and friends, managers, staff or volunteers and other organisations who know of existing learning opportunities in these settings. Please contact me at fiona.aldridge@niace.org.uk or 0116 204 4246.'

One example of the benefits learning can have for older people in care is this year's Adult Learners' Week Group winner - Tansley House Care Home, in Matlock. The care home has seen an increase in the levels of health, happiness and well-being of its residents, after the Manager and staff took up learning as part of a programme run by the First Taste charity.

Residents are now involved even participating in formal training sessions and getting certificates. The manager and staff - Bev, Carole and Kirsten - said, 'Learning in a group means the excitement spins off. Residents are happier, more alert, sleep better at night, need less medication, feel less isolated and are more at home.'