Theme 2 Scheme B Lifelong Learning - Scheme 2B Lifelong Learning

Overview

Lifelong learning can help people to learn a new language, get to grips with new technology and develop hobbies and interests. They can also lead to qualifications that can help people progress into employment. According to the 2021 Census 16.2% of borough residents had no qualification (40,999 residents). High rates of socio-economic deprivation in the borough have resulted in higher literacy and numeracy needs for Tower Hamlets’ adults.

Outcomes

The outcome we want to achieve through this scheme are:

Reduce digital exclusion amongst residents from Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic communities, older people, low-income families and those with a disability
Improve the confidence of residents, building resilience and self- esteem, developing relationships and aspirations
Residents are able to speak in their first language to improve their overall learning outcomes.

Priorities

13 organisations delivering activities to meet the following priorities:

Skills for life and lifelong learning
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Digital Inclusion

Projects

A total of £1,199,053 worth of projects have been funded under MCGP Theme 2 Scheme B to deliver projects until 31^st March 2027. Below are the list of projects which have been funded.

Organisation name	Project Title	Project description	Amount (£) (Total 41 Months)
Age UK East London	Digital Buddy	Digital Buddies project aims to build the skills, confidence and motivation of digitally excluded older people, using a proven model, enabling them to get to grips with new technologies and use them safely and skilfully.	136,656
East London Advanced Technology Training	BOOST (Building On Our Skills Together) South West	BOOST South West project provides accessible, entry-level ESOL classes to develop English language skills, digital inclusion, and preparation for lifelong learning for migrants and refugees in SW Tower Hamlets. Courses are tailored to learners’ lives and include classroom activities, visits to places of interest and community engagement activities.	136,667
ICM Foundation CIC	CORE News Community Newspaper	The CORE News Community Newspaper project aims to support adults with learning disabilities to develop skills and work towards a qualification to design and produce a tri-annual community newspaper, to be distributed to community groups in London.	102,500
Stifford Centre Limited	BAME Women’s Empowerment Programme	Stifford Centre's BAME Women’s Empowerment Programme empowers BAME women in Tower Hamlets through comprehensive ESOL classes, employability work and digital skills training. The aim of this project is to bridge socio-economic gaps and boost integration, confidence, and participation in the local economy.	99,083
deafPLUS	Improving deaf and hard of hearing residents English, Maths and digital skills	This project aims to improve deaf and hard of hearing residents’ English, Maths and digital skills, reducing socio-economic deprivation in Tower Hamlets.	102,500
Social Action For Health	Bengali Women's ESOL Walking Group	This project brings together Bengali women for a weekly walking group to enjoy some gentle movement, and practice conversational English, thus reducing isolation, improving physical and mental wellbeing and enabling more positive interaction with the wider community and services such as GPs and other health professionals.	85,229
Island House Community Centre	DIGITAL DAY	Digital Day aims to develop the existing SKILLS project, providing 3 levels of support to digitally-excluded clients. The programme includes teaching basic digital skills and providing computer/internet access necessary for life tasks that have moved online.	85,417
Limehouse Project	ESOL & Digital Training	Limehouse Project’s ESOL & Digital Training programme is a supportive coaching initiative which helps residents improve their command of the English language and basic digital skills.	85,417
Quaker Social Action (BIA) (Carers Centre Tower Hamlets)	Made of Money - helping carers to increase their resilience to online financial scams.	Quaker Social Action’s ‘Made of Money’ financial education and financial wellbeing team, partnering with Carers Centre, Tower Hamlets, is delivering digital inclusion sessions for local people, predominantly carers, focussing specifically on helping people be aware of and have a much reduced risk of falling victim to online scams/fraud.	85,417
Bromley By Bow Centre	BOOST North East	Through Boost North East, the Bromley by Bow Centre is providing non-accredited English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and digital inclusion classes alongside social mixing activities. The project supports people to become confident engaging with the local community, and services using English.	85,417
LifeLine Community Projects	Creative English	Creative English is a volunteer-led English language programme that teaches everyday English speaking to people from marginalised and minority groups who do not speak English as a first/main language. Delivered by faith and community groups, Creative English uses applied drama techniques to engage learners in a fun and welcoming environment.	85,417
Tower Hamlets Parents Centre	THPC Digital Inclusion Programme for BAME Women	THPC Digital Inclusion Programme delivers Computer Training Programme that aims to improve the skills, employment readiness and inclusion of local disadvantaged women from BAME Communities.	41,000
Ashaadibi Education and Cultural Centre	Aim Higher e~Adult Lifelong Learning	The e-Adult Lifelong Learning project aims to promote digital inclusion, language skills, and lifelong learning in Tower Hamlets to the BAME community. Through English language classes and digital skills training, it will reduce digital exclusion and improve the confidence and aspirations of marginalized and underrepresented residents of LBTH.	68,333