The South West and Mid Regional Team at Adult Learning Wales recently took part in an engagement event at the Dove Workshop in Banwen, in collaboration with the Adult Community Powys-NPT ACL Partnership. The event showcased a range of existing courses that all three delivery providers have to offer at the Dove Centre, and highlighted upcoming learning opportunities for all. The event was well attended, with many visitors participating in taster sessions designed to give a hands-on experience of what the courses offer.
Three Adult Learning Wales tutors delivered a variety of engaging activities throughout the day. Rhys Clement ran pyrography taster sessions, allowing participants to create intricate designs by burning patterns into wood. Joanne Baitup led digital taster sessions, offering a preview of her upcoming Declutter and Sell Online course at the Dove Workshop, while June Milne demonstrated embroidery and dressmaking skills, with participants trying cross-stitch on ALW tote bags to take home and share with friends and family.
The event was highly successful, with many attendees requesting information and signing up for courses related to the taster sessions. Lianne Byrne, the Dove Workshop Manager, welcomed visitors and highlighted the learning opportunities available at the workshop. The event was further supported by the café staff, who provided refreshments throughout the day with warmth and attentiveness, helping create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone attending.
Lianne said:
“The event at DOVE Workshop on Tuesday, 23rd September, was a great success and highlighted the ongoing need for delivering adult learning opportunities in the community. Adult Learning Wales is an integral part of that delivery here at DOVE. As an organisation, we’d like to thank Adult Learning Wales for consistently providing high-quality courses to our learners, for listening to what our learners need, and for reacting quickly and appropriately. We look forward to our continued partnership and are enthusiastic about the future developments between our organisations.”
Curriculum Development Coordinator Julie Isaac-Evans and Marketing and Communications Manager Alex Lloyd supported the event, assisting with setup, engaging with participants, and discussing learning opportunities with ALW at the Dove Workshop. Alex also documented the day with photographs.
Participants shared their experiences of the day:
“I’m so excited for the craft session on 7th October. I’ve had a sewing machine for a while but never felt confident using it, and I can’t wait to start creating my own designs at home.”
A husband and wife who participated in the pyrography taster session said:
“We were thrilled with our experience and can’t wait to start the course at the Dove Workshop.”
One attendee commented on the digital skills session:
“I’m looking forward to decluttering my home in time for Christmas with Joanne’s upcoming course at the Dove Workshop on selling unwanted items online.”
The engagement event reinforced the strong partnership between Adult Learning Wales and the Dove Workshop, highlighting learning opportunities that are accessible to all. Adult Learning Wales looks forward to continuing to work with the Dove Workshop to support lifelong learning in Neath Port Talbot, and thanks everyone who attended, the Dove Workshop team for hosting, and Adult Community Learning partners, with whom we worked together to make the event successful.
