The Life Support Project : Programme
Year 1 - the preparatory phase
In the first year of the project two teams of learners were recruited, nine in Blaenau Gwent and five in Bryncynon. In 2005 numbers increased with eleven recruited in Blaenau Gwent and ten in Bryncynon. Their travel expenses and all childcare costs are paid. Each team has a team leader and a tutor. The tutor's role is to develop and deliver an accredited course with support from the University of Glamorgan and the Workers' Educational Association, and deliver 4 OCN modules at Level 2, specifically English, Maths and Science, and 6 OCN Modules at Level 1 or above, providing academic support throughout.
"The tutors have done a cracking job developing the course and modules. I hadn't realised they would have to write it all themselves". (Management team)
It was agreed that passes at these levels together with good attendance would qualify learners for admission to the Foundation Course in Health Science at the University of Glamorgan . What actually happened was that it did not take long for the tutors and the learners to realise that they could achieve higher levels than these. By the end of the first year the following modules had been delivered:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
Human Biology |
Assertiveness Skills |
Word Processing |
Most learners achieved between eight and twelve modules. This surpassed the project's expectations, but as research on other projects has found, many returning learners are capable of achieving good grades if offered the opportunity and support at the appropriate level.
The tutor's role as well as delivering the community based courses is to provide personal support and organise team building and confidence building activities, visits and work placements. The People and Work Unit and tutors have developed a programme, running parallel to the academic course, of team and personal development involving:
Short courses:
- Mentoring
- Money management
- Cooking on a budget
- Domestic abuse workshop
- First aid at Work
Confidence raising and team building activities:
- Day at Llangorse Rope Centre
- Survival course on the Brecon Beacons
- 'Escape from the schoolroom' (how far can you get on £2)
- Bowling
- Quad biking
- Paint-balling
- Treasure hunt and barbecue
Health related activities:
- Talks from qualified health professionals, including a nurse, paramedic, alternative therapists, social worker
- Visits to St Thomas 's Hospital and the Florence Nightingale Museum , London ; local fire station; heritage tours
- Two weeks' work placements in local hospitals for each learner
- Sport and wellbeing sessions at the gym; swimming; yoga; de-stress sessions (at Rhondda college and Coleg Gwent); aqua aerobics; badminton
Family activities:
- Christmas shopping trips
- Christmas party
- Visit to Father Christmas
- Swimming
- Camping
- Cwmbran community farm
Other activities:
- University visits - open days; using the library; sitting in on a lecture
- Mock interviews
- Presentations for NIACE Adult Learners week and for project funders.
Progression
At the end of this preparatory phase it was planned that the learners would be supported in their chosen progression route. All the learners had the opportunity to discuss their progress and future personal targets with both their tutors and team leaders.
I've seen a difference in all of them in attitude to learning and responsibility
(Project Partner)She did very well, very enthusiastic - and sensitive to other people on the ward.
(NHS Work placement manager)
By April 2007 of the 14 learners who started the project in 2003:
- 1 is on the last year of her nursing degree course in learning disabilities
- 2 are on year 3 of their nursing degree courses in adult nursing
- 2 are on year 1 of their nursing degree courses, in adult nursing
- 1 is repeating year 1 of her psychology degree
- 1 is on year 2 of her mathematics degree
- 1 is working as a nursing auxiliary in a local hospital and qualifying via the NVQ route
- 1 has had a baby, has recently completed a Basic Expedition Leadership Award (BELA) with the project and is planning to enroll on a further Education course
- 1 dropped out due to ill-health, has now recovered and is volunteering in her local community organisation. She is still in touch with the project and hopes to progress when the time is right
- 2 left the project yearly
- 1 dropped out of a foundation course as she is having another baby
- 1 has lost contact with the project
Of the 21 learners who joined the project in 2005:
- 1 qualified to CACHE level 3 and has started a nursing degree in March 2007
- 5 are on a foundation course in health sciences
- 1 went on to a maths foundation degree course in January 2006 but has chosen not to progress further for a year
- 1 is on a Diploma course in Sports Therapy
- 1 is on a CACHE level 1 course and is also doing a GCSE in English
- 1 is volunteering as a classroom assistant and doing an NVQ Level 1 in childcare
- 3 are pregnant and will continue to be supported by the project to continue with their learning progression
- 5 are being supported by the project to consider their options by taking part in a personal development course, but have not yet decided what to do next
- 3 left the project early
This is a phenomenal number to be going on to Higher Education - it's amazing. (Project Partner)
For those who applied to join the Life Support Project but who did not get on it, and for those who left early, there was also support.
Year 2 - further training
The project will continue to support the learners, whatever their next steps.
The tutors will provide continuing support as the learners progress through college or
university, and continuing support through problems with money, childcare, health, dips in confidence and motivation which can, without support, result in a learner leaving the programme. The learners will also continue to receive help with childcare and transport
The learners take up the story:
| About team building |
About the tutors: |
'It's good fun. And it does help - you need teamwork in hospital and learning to work under pressure. And it's a break from the books which is nice.' "I really enjoyed myself, we had a great time…..I feel more confident in myself and I feel like I really achieved something." |
"The learning side of it I'm really enjoying. (The tutor) explains where I'm getting things right and wrong and we get good feedback. Doing well in English really boosted my confidence. And little comments on the work, like 'well done' really help. I've never enjoyed writing before but I'm enjoying it now". |
| About the
tutors: |
About themselves: |
| "Brilliant - and the activities have given me so much confidence. And when we get something more challenging that's really good. And you push yourself because you don't want to let (the team leader) down. You want to push yourself". | "I have found that I have become a more confident person in my general attitude and in my written work. I may need some help with my maths next term!" "I have progressed well on this course with my academic ability and confidence increasing more and more. I am very pleased with the feedback I have had from my tutor and team leader and I hope that it will be as positive this time next year". |
