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

 

Open Day

 There are currently no Open Day events planned at present.

 

Timetable of Courses Autumn Term 2009

 

Monday
1.15 - 3.15	Introduction to Computers	Starts 21st September 2009
Tuesday
10.15 - 12.15	Everyday Computers
10.15 -12.15	Pottery
1.15 - 3.15	Drama with Confidence Building	- 6 weeks
1.15 - 3.15	Cooking by Numbers	- 4 weeks
Wednesday
10.15 - 12.15	Basic Skills Literacy
10.15 - 12.15	Guidance & Progression Surgery
1.15 - 3.15	Basic Skills Screening
1.15 - 3.15	Employability Skills	- 6 weeks
Thursday
10.15 - 12.15	Sport @ the Y Club
10.15 - 12.15	Basic Skills Numeracy
10.15 - 12.15	Computer Skills
10.15 - 12.15	Art - Moving On - Multimedia
1.15 - 3.15	Art - Inspired by....
1.15 - 3.15	Introduction to Computers	(Session 2)
1.15 - 3.15	Music Workshop
Friday
10.15 - 12.15	Basic Skills - Personal Finance	- 6 weeks
10.15 - 12.15	Office Administration Skills
1.15 - 3.15	Creative Writing

 

Enrolments

To book an appointment for enrolment please call 0161 832 4488 to book a slot.     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)

Art - Moving on Multimedia

Information will appear here soon

Art - Inspired by....

Information will appear here soon
 

Pottery

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

Literacy

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


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

Information will appear here soon

Computer Skills

Information will appear here soon
 

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

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

Click here for pictures of the learners end of term performance December 2008

Personal Finance

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 Workshop
Information will appear here soon

 

 

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.