The Disabled People's Electronic Village Hall

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Dewsbury has a relatively young, diverse and growing population, but it is also comparatively low skilled, relatively poor, and with significant health problems. Worklessness is a major issue across most communities.

With this in mind there is considerable support within both the voluntary and public sectors, in particular from those involved in the world of skills, learning and worklessness to develop a learning and skills hub in the centre of Dewsbury.

The Council will maintain an oversight of the activity in the D Shop and the Partnership, led by The Disabled Peoples’ Electronic Village Hall, will bring together the following providers to develop and deliver learning and skills activity:-

Existing Providers

• The Disabled People’s Electronic Village Hall
• Kirklees Community Campus
• Workers' Educational Association Yorkshire and Humber Region
• Action for Children
• Calderdale & Kirklees Careers
• Society for the Blind of Dewsbury, Batley and District

It is anticipated that the partnership will grow during the length of the project with relevant groups to be invited to contribute to the mission. In addition to this we hope to be able to attract the interest of private sector partners and enlist their support in developing our programme.

Mission Statement

To improve the quality of life for people in Dewsbury through increased involvement in high quality learning and skills activity which will drive up ambition, increase engagement in local issues and tackle inequality.

The overall aim of the programme is to raise levels of aspiration and ambition amongst local people to help address the issues of worklessness, health and education within the Dewsbury locality through:-

• Access to Adult and Family Learning activity provided by local VCS organisations
• High quality, independent Information advice and guidance about learning and increased profile of local community organisations, clubs and societies
• Fund raising events for local charities
• Improved information and access to Council Services
• Effective collaboration between VCS and public sector
• Development of collaboration between VCS/public and private sectors

Staffing and Management

The Disabled People’s Electronic Village Hall will as lead partner provide the staffing for 5 days per week Monday to Friday 9.30 am– 4.30 pm.

Two part-time, Level 2 IAG qualified, members of staff will be engaged with the management of the day to day running, taking bookings for usage and monitoring footfall along with evaluations for impact and service.

Strong links with the Learning Line and JCP will be established in order to develop referrals to the correct agencies. To take advantage of this opportunity fully volunteers and learners will also be engaged in the day to day duties providing support to both the staff and users alike.

We are planning to hold a monthly group meeting consisting of 3 VCS organisations, namely The Disabled People’s Electronic Village Hall, Kirklees Community Campus and WEA along with Connexions in order to formalise the provision and develop the model.

Registration of Interest

To be completed by all organisations wishing to use the facility in order to ensure that intended use is within the aims and objectives of the partnership. In addition to monitoring the reasons for use it is intended to identify the potential impact on organisations using the facility.

Registration of Interest Form