NEARIS in Bolton, also known as the Wood Street Centre, is based in
the centre of Bolton. NEARIS offers free, informal education to
people who cannot access mainstream education.
Education is provided in centre and on outreach. Learning
opportunities include accredited computer sessions, literacy and
ESOL sessions, Citizenship for ESOL learners, driving theory, arts
and crafts classes. Registered students have free access to the
internet throughout the week and are also offered Information,
Advice and Guidance on a range of areas.
NEARIS
in Bolton works closely with other agencies such as Bolton
Travellers Education Service (BTES), Bolton Asylum Team, Refugee
Action, Bolton Socialist Club, Bolton Community Housing, Befriending
Refugees and Asylum Seekers (BRASS) Bolton and Salford University.
NEARIS FC
NEARIS also has a football team which meets weekly for training
practice. The team provides learners with the opportunity to meet
outside of the centre
and participate in and work as a team. The team is enters
competitions and tournaments across the North West, this includes
the Refugee Cup and the African Festival as well as friendly matches
with other community teams.
Outreach
NEARIS in
Bolton provides an Outreach service in local drop-in centres and
hostels. This allows learning to be taken out to the
hardest-to-reach members of the community. People who are reluctant
to enter or re-enter educational opportunities can be provided with
relaxed, informal, tailor-made courses which suit the needs of this
transient group. Course available on outreach include accredited
computer courses and basic skills.
During arts and crafts sessions learners can learn a variety of new
skills from the more traditional aspects of painting and drawing to
more craft based skills such as sewing, knitting, embroidering and
home décor. During these sessions learner have the opportunity to
work on group projects which are displayed in centre and at special
events attended by NEARIS. NEARIS in Bolton works closely with other
arts projects such as Liberart and local heritage projects.
Computer
Course
Computer
courses are available three times a week in centre. Learners can
achieve certificates at several levels in Word Processing, Desk Top
Publishing, Spreadsheets, Graphs & Charts, Internet and E-mail. The
courses are accredited by eDCC. The course materials are designed to be used as self access
packs so that learners who are unable to attend regularly can ‘pick
up & put down’ their work at any point. This helps to create a
relaxed and informal environment as learners are able to work at
their own pace and are supported by not only a qualified tutor and
support assistants but also by their own peers.
ESOL ( English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Literacy
ESOL classes are run during the evenings for learners who may work
but also during the family learning sessions for people with
children. Learners who attend these sessions are offered practical
English skills. Courses include ‘Going Shopping’, ‘Health and
Fitness’, ‘Healthy Eating’, ‘Parts of the body and speaking with a
doctor’ and ‘Speaking to your child’s teacher’.
The courses are designed to support learners at a variety of levels
and offers immediate and vital support to learners who need it.
Literacy classes run in conjunction with the other basic skills
courses running. This means that learners who attend ESOL courses
can also attend literacy to reinforce the skills that they are
learning. During literacy learners are given the chance to write
their own books, whether through creative writing sessions or
writing recipe books during the ‘Healthy Eating’ courses. This is an
opportunity for learners to improve their reading and writing
skills.
Citizenship for
ESOL Learners
The citizenship course held weekly at NEARIS is for ESOL learners
with entry 3 or higher English skills. The course provides an
overview of the knowledge needed for the ‘Life in the Uk’ test.
Throughout the courses learners debate on what it is to be a
citizens. Modules are on Housing, Employment, Health, The Law and
British History. In addition learners are helped to improve their
basic skills and cover more advanced English knowledge.
Family Learning
Sessions
During family learning opportunities members of the community who
would be previously excluded from learning because of issues with
childcare can attend sessions designed to accommodate them. Courses
include all learning available at other times, but allow the
additional option of activities to entertain under fives as well.
The family learning sessions are in a large room where mum can watch
the children learning through play whist learning themselves.
The Traveller
Project
NEARIS works with Traveller Education Service (Bolton) to engage
Travellers living in and around Bolton. Courses offered
include Driving Theory, Literacy and Computers these are offered in
a family learning environment. This was previously run on Outreach
through the support of the Farnworth UCAN Centre but will be moved
to the Wood Street Centre from September 2006.
NEARIS in Bolton is in the town centre.
Located just off Bradshawgate it is easy to find. On Bradshawgate turn
down past the Yorkshire Bank and go past Pizza Express.
