Three ‘well-being hubs’ are being established in Okehampton and Tavistock and Holsworthy to offer free learning opportunities for adults in the local community.
The first of the three hubs recently opened its doors at the Holsworthy Skill Centre, working in collaboration with the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust via Holsworthy Community College. The Tavistock and Okehampton Hubs are planned to open in spring 2022.
Learn Devon will be looking at ways to support people who want to return to learning, explore new interests, retrain and upskill, so they can reach out for new opportunities.
The well-being hubs are being funded by Devon County Council’s Economic Recovery Funding, part of the county council’s £6-million economic recovery package.
Each hub will offer a safe, supportive space to learn new skills and gain qualifications that will improve the well-being of the local community. There will be a range of free courses on offer, including English and maths, digital skills, art and craft, well-being and much more.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet member for economic recovery and skills, said: ‘Learn Devon and Devon County Council are excited to be able to offer this long-term support in all three of these communities, starting initially in Holsworthy. The pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone’s lives and livelihoods and that has resulted in many people re-evaluating their lives, their jobs and what they want to achieve in the future. Learning and developing new skills is an integral part of Devon’s economic recovery, and it can help present new opportunities for people looking to take a different career path or progress in their current line of work.’
Paul Beard, who delivered Learn Devon’s successful Mindfulness Challenge in 2020, supporting over 5,000 learners during the pandemic, will also be delivering free face to face workshops and courses from the well-being hub, starting this month.
Paul said: ‘To realise that you CAN learn ways to stop negative thinking and anxiety in its tracks and then doing it really makes you happier and feel more in control of yourself and your life. Come on our workshops and courses at the new Holsworthy Well-being Hub to find out how.’
As well as Paul’s courses, there will be many others such as Art for Well-being, Feel Good Singing sessions, Creative Writing to tackle stress, Creative Christmas Capers and courses for adults with learning disabilities.
All the courses and workshops will be taught in a small, friendly and adult only setting, delivered by Learn Devon’s team of expert tutors.