MERC

Manchester Education Resettlement Centre

Hello and Welcome

MERC provides a fresh start in learning for adults who, for various reasons, face barriers to getting into work or going to college.

Many of the adult students who attend courses at MERC have been going through a period of 'resettlement' in their lives. This may be because they have had problems with drugs, alcohol, mental ill-health or may have been in trouble with the law.

Manchester Education Resettlement Centre

4th Floor Swan Buildings

20 Swan Street

Manchester

M4 5JW

Tel: 0161 832 4488

 

Timetable of Courses September 2008 - July 2009

 

Monday
1.15 - 3.15	IT Level 1 Award	8th September 2008 - 13th July 2009
Tuesday
10.15 - 12.15	Basic Skills Literacy	9th September 2008 - 14th July 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Film Making	23rd September 2008 - 16th December 2008
10.15 -12.15	3D-Design	23rd September 2008 - 14th July 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Basic Skills Literacy	9th September 2008 - 14th July 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Inspired by Art	23rd September 2008 - 16th December 2008
1.15 - 3.15	Digital Photography	23rd September 2008 - 14th July 2009
Wednesday
10.15 - 12.15	Basic Skills Numeracy	10th September 2008 - 15th July 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Everyday Computing	5th November 2008 - 20th May 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Health, Fun and Well-being	5th November 2008 - 20th May 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Drama/Literacy	5th November 2008 - 20th May 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Intro to Computers	5th November 2008 - 20th May 2009
Thursday
10.15 - 12.15	Sport @ the Y Club	11th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Introduction to Pottery	11th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Admin & Office Skills	25th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
1.15 - 3.15	IT Level 1 Certificate	11th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Personal Finance	6th November 2008 - 21st May 2009
2.15 - 3.15	Music Theory	11th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
3.30 - 5.30	Guitar Workshop	11th September 2008 - 16th July 2009
Friday
10.15 - 12.15	Photoshop Level 1	12th September 2008 - 17th July 2009
10.15 - 12.15	Confidence Building	7th November 2008 - 22nd May 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Art Level 1	12th September 2008 - 17th July 2009
1.15 - 3.15	Drama	7th November 2008 - 22nd May 2009

 

Enrolments

How to enrol on courses?

Check  this page to make sure that MERC has something to offer you. Ring up on 0161 832 4488 and arrange an appointment to discuss your options. Attend your enrolment meeting and agree a start date. Start as soon as possible on the course of your choice. (Please note some courses can be very popular and on occasion we need to run a waiting list system for these courses).

Guidelines for Referral Agents

MERC provides education for adult students from a wide variety of backgrounds and aims to tailor the course to meet individual needs. One of the aims of the Centre, is to provide students with the educational skills needed, to progress to mainstream education provision or employment.  MERC provides students with a high level of support within our education provision but not outside of this service  Workers referring potential students to MERC should ensure that their client is able to:   make his/her own way to and from MERC - or to provide a support worker for as long as is necessary.   make an informed choice about whether or not they wish to take part in an education course at MERC   attend sessions on a regular basis   understand and agree to the MERC Code of Conduct

Please would all students who are on benefits bring evidence of this with them (for example, an Income Support letter, a Job Seeker’s Allowance book, etc).  PLEASE BRING EVIDENCE EVEN IF WE SAW IT LAST TERM/YEAR. (This is a requirement from our funding bodies)

Film Making

For those who have already taken an art course either at MERC or elsewhere, and would like to extend their skills

Work in a group to find out what’s involved in film making
Learn camera techniques
Edit film


3D-design

Learn how to design and make a useful or decorative object

Planning skills
Be guided through all the steps from your first idea to the finished product

Inspired by…

For students who have already taken an art course at MERC.

Students will visit a Manchester gallery with the tutor, and then develop artwork at MERC, based on something that has inspired them.

Find out what inspired the artist
Explore how artists develop their ideas
Create a personal masterpiece!

Students who complete this course will
continue their art studies further at the Zion Centre


Digital Photography

For those who want to learn more about using digital cameras, and how to develop pictures using a computer.

What the camera can do
Use IT to be creative with your pictures

Photoshop

For those who would like to use photography to make interesting new work

Make your photos stunning

Create posters and pictures

Make collages using IT


Pottery Taster

For those who have never tried Pottery before

Learn how to use clay to make attractive items

Learn how to decorate vases and tiles

Use clay to make your own sculpture
 

Art Level 1

For those who have not taken an art course
before; this is an opportunity to learn about
different ways to produce works of art.

Work together in a group, but create your own artworks

Find out about different drawing and painting methods

Enjoy exploring your creative skills

Students who complete this course will receive a level 1 certificate


Drama

This course is for those who would like to
enjoy working in a group with others

enjoying creating dramas and scenes from every-day life and imagination

Literacy

For students who have difficulty with reading and writing, or would like to improve their
writing skills.

Drama with Literacy

This is a fun session – work in a group to plan, write and act out short plays, and develop writing skills at the same time.

Numeracy

For students who would like to feel more confident when using numbers in their
day-to-day lives – helps with:

shopping
measuring
weighing

  "Basic Skills!

  When Steve our basic skills tutor brought the subject up in conversation with Darren, one of the

  many volunteers here at MERC and myself during on of my English lessons, I'd never given the

  words (basic skills) much thought. I had a rough idea what the words meant, but thinking back to

  when I'd first seen them or took any interest was when I wanted to know what the (basic skills

  classes) were all about. English and maths, I was told, as simple as that! So I thought to myself

  as I often do, 'I could do with some of that English' in other words brush up on my 'English'.

  Ah but English is not as simple as that, English can be stimulating head work. And can expand your

  vocabulary. It certainly takes my mind into a creative mode, as I like to use unusual words in my

  writing and enjoy looking up the meanings."

  Pat (Learner & Mercury Times Editor)

Introduction to Computers

For learners who are new to computing or want to refresh long forgotten skills.

Learn about the basics of:

Word Processing
Internet
Saving Work
Working with Files
Printing documents


Every-day Computing

A course aimed at all learners who have some basic IT skills.

Learn how to put your computer skills into practice.

Write perfect letters
Create perfect CVs
Create posters, signs and labels
Use a spreadsheet to manage your budget
Use the internet to grab a bargain or save some money

IT Drop-in

For learners already studying a course at MERC

Need some extra practice
Can’t get to grips with something

Join the IT drop-In and get some extra support and practice in your studies.

 

Level 1 Award in IT

A more advanced course for learners who have previously completed an Introduction to Computers course at MERC or elsewhere.

Learn more about:

Word Processing
Internet

This leads to the NOCN Level 1 Award in Information Technology.


Level 1 Certificate in IT

Want to learn even more? Once you get as far as the Level 1 Award you can then carry on if you wish to get the full certificate.

Learn about new subjects

Email
Spreadsheets
Presentations

This leads to the NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Information Technology.

This certificate prepares you to progress on to the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
Qualification.
 

Admin & Office skills

A course to help you get some skills if you would like to do voluntary or paid work in an office.

Learn about:

The role of the computer in an office
Filing Skills
Telephone and customer skills
Office machinery
And much more……..
 

 

Learning for Every Day Life

Health, fun and well-being

For anyone wanting to get more satisfaction and enjoyment from day-to-day living

Healthy and tasty cooking – prepare some tasty recipes

What’s out there – things to do, places to go without spending a fortune

Preparation for volunteering and work-interview techniques and skills


Managing Money

For any students who wonder where it all went

Develop a personal budget plan

Shopping wisely

Tips for stretching your budget

How to avoid rip-offs and scams

Confidence Building

For all students who would just like to have more confidence!

Using the phone
Learn words and phrases that make
communication easier
Feeling good, looking great
Dealing with difficult situations

 

Music

Music Theory

For those who are learning to play a musical instrument, or who would like to write their own scores.

Introduction to reading music

The first steps in understanding how to write a song or score


Guitar Workshop

For those who wish to develop their guitar skills – all levels welcome.

Work in a small group with players at a similar level.

 

 

Sport & Swimming

MERC has a weekly slot at the 'Y-Club' in Castlefield, Manchester. This slot is available to those students attending courses at MERC on a regular basis.

This is a brilliant opportunity to improve your health and fitness in the pool, sports hall and fitness rooms. Short tennis and badminton are also popular activities. You can then unwind in the steam room or sauna.

If you  want to build up your exercise programme slowly then you can use the swimming pool and 'dip into' the other facilities that are available when you are ready

Numbers are limited so book your place now

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Student Support

MERC aims to offer a friendly and supportive environment for all our students.

Deciding what course to do?

When you start at MERC, you will have a chat with one of the workers about what course you would like to do. We will sit down with you every few months to talk about your goals when you first start—there Is plenty of time to try things out.

Advice and Guidance

Not sure what to do after MERC? Looking to move towards paid work? You can book one-to-one
guidance sessions to help you think about your options.

Mentoring

Maybe you would like a bit more support to help you move forward. We can match you up with a volunteer mentor who can meet with you regularly to help you get the most out of your journey
forward.

All Staff, Students and Volunteers must follow the MERC Code of Behaviour.

This Code is to make sure that all those involved with MERC feel comfortable when using the Centre.

It is very important that nobody is prevented from using the Centre because of the unacceptable behaviour of others.

Unacceptable behaviour includes:

Coming to MERC whilst under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs

The use of verbal or physical abuse or any other form of threatening behaviour

Showing a lack of respect for others – e.g. racism or sexism

Anyone who behaves in a way which is offensive or discriminatory will be asked to leave the Centre, unless they change their behaviour.