Our Learning Journey

Lessons learnt and future thinking in adult learning, skills development and mental health

Venue:Thistle Marble Arch Hotel, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London W1H 7EH

Adult Learning and mental health

For many people with mental health difficulties it is not the cognitive difficulties associated with mental ill-health that prevents them from accessing learning, getting into work or in using other community resources such as libraries or leisure centres, it is the real, or fear of, stigma and discrimination that prevents active involvement and increases social isolation.

Adult learning and skills development can play an important role in tackling stigma and discrimination. It provides opportunities to widen social networks and be with other people, it can lead to improved job prospects and it can be a means to building confidence, hope and optimism.

Over the past two decades the number of people experiencing mental health difficulties accessing learning and skills provision has increased. There is evidence of better collaboration between learning providers and mental health service providers. There are more examples of good practice in supporting learners with mental health difficulties to achieve. Increasingly, learning and training providers are realising the need to involve and listen to service users/learners with mental health difficulties about what matters and what helps them to learn. This is the journey we have made so far.

But we cannot be complacent. There are still many challenges to face if people with mental health difficulties are to have the same access to learning, skills and employment as other people, and the same opportunities to lead fulfilling lives and to get on in life. This is the journey we have yet to make.

Adult learning and skills providers need to address the following questions:

• What are the key things we still need to get right in adult learning for people with mental health difficulties?
• How do we need to develop our services?
• What are the campaign issues for those involved in adult learning and mental health?
  

This conference is about:

• Raising awareness of the campaign issues for those involved in adult learning, work-based skills development and mental health
• sharing the good practice and ideas we all have about how best people with mental health difficulties can access and achieve in adult learning and skills/work-based learning
• highlighting the key issues and challenges in tackling inequality, stigma, discrimination and lack of social mobility that face many people with mental health difficulties.
  

At the conference NIACE will launch a new 'One in Four' campaign pack.

This pack includes resources and ideas to help you raise awareness of mental health, challenge stigma and discrimination and debate the issues that matter to you.

The conference will be a very interactive event, reflecting the voice of the learner, tutors and other key stakeholders working in, participating in or using adult learning and skills or health and social care provision, and will have opportunities to share ideas and shape future thinking. Participants will have the opportunity to visit 'market stalls' and discuss innovative projects and good practice and opportunities for people to network.

Arrival and registration is at 9.45am.

The conference ends at 3.30pm.

Conference Fee: £198 (The fee includes a copy of the One in Four Campaign pack, and CD - rom, lunch, tea/coffee).

For further details and to reserve a place, look up:

http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; e-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk