Community education project receives visit from MP

Frome Community Education recently received a visit from local MP David Warburton at their drop-in hub for people struggling with reading, writing and computer skills.

The local group has been running the sessions for four years at the Cheese & Grain, which are sponsored by Frome Town Council.

Sue Klepper, the hub manager said, “There is a little known haven for people struggling with the vagaries of computers, job searching, lack of confidence with filling in forms and writing in general.  The IT hub run by Frome Community Education at the Cheese & Grain is now in its fourth year and is working quietly, helping people with reading, writing and computer skills.  The hub was set up with a grant from the Frome Development Company, then helped by Aster and Awards for All, and is now supported by Frome Town Council through a multi-year agreement.

“It is incredible how complex the process is for people who may have worked all their lives and suddenly find themselves unemployed.  They are often keen to get back into the workplace but things have changed so much since they last looked for work.  At our drop-in centre we see many people in their fifties or early sixties who have no computers, have never used one, often have difficulty reading and writing, and certainly have problems filling in complex on-line forms.  We help them use the online agencies, fill in the application forms and send file attachments. It is astonishing that some forms for a cleaning job can be as long as 10 pages.

“It may come as surprise to people that there are adults who struggle with literacy and have never had the chance to learn to read and write since leaving school. The centre was set up to help people learn computer skills but has now progressed to helping with all forms of literacy.  The drop-in sessions are also there to help people with CVs and job searching.”

Annita is an experienced literacy tutor working at the hub.  She quotes from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Aug 2016, “5 million adults in the UK lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. They struggle to carry out a number of basic tasks, ranging from writing short messages, using a cashpoint to withdraw money, being able to understand labels on food or pay household bills.  They lack basic reading, writing and numeracy skills essential to everyday life and being able to find and secure work.  A further 12.6 million adults lack basic digital skills – meaning they struggle to carry out tasks such as sending emails or filling out online job applications.”

Sue continues, “Frome Community Education has been fortunate in receiving a grant from Frome Town Council to deliver this vitally important work.   Many of the people at the drop-ins have no money, no mobile phones and no transport; they are vulnerable to the vagaries of the system and are ill equipped to deal with it.  They are most reluctant to use foodbanks as it is ‘shameful’ and also reluctant to apply for a so-called hardship fund as that will mean they are in debt and will need to pay it back.

“We have been particularly struck by the number of older women caught in the Catch 22 of not being able to retire (Waspi Women) but unable to find appropriate work for their skills or being rejected because of their age. So we have women coming up for retirement and men with failing health who really need help to navigate this new world.”

David Warburton MP said, “I was delighted to join Frome Community Education and see the enormously important work that they do. Unemployed people trying to get back into work can often face enormous challenges including literacy difficulties, inexperience with computers and a lack of other key skills needed in the workplace. The Frome Community Education drop-in hub provides an incredibly valuable helping hand to give people the practical help they need to get back to work.”

The free IT & literacy drop-in sessions at the Cheese & Grain take place on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10am-12pm, attended by Sue Klepper (IT tutor), Annita Constantinou (literacy tutor) and James Bynoth (volunteer).