GMB Union Learning Project - Family Learning


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Family Learning
Lucky draw Hooks new Interest Recently BACC, (Breckland Angling Coaching Club), were invited to attend a Family Learning event in Thetford, organised by TEP, (Thetford Excellence Partnership). This event gives parents and their children an opportunity to do some Fun Learning together. Traditionally mask making, painting and other artistic activities were on offer. Fishing skills were one of the new and unusual activities to tempt new interest. Hook tying, using a disgorger and general tackle tips were encouraged. There were also word searches that also proved to be popular. The club handed out booklets on fishing tips for all those interested. Some 54 young people aged from 8yrs to 16yrs filled out an Angling Survey. The survey was used to find out their level of fishing skills and also to indicate if they would like to join the club and take part in future coaching sessions. All the surveys were put into a prize draw and one lucky lad, Damien Allen, won a top quality Rod and Reel donated by the E.A. (Environment Agency). Damien was chuffed to bits with the tackle and can’t wait to attend one of BACC’s coaching sessions in the New Year along with his three brothers. The club are quite unique in the area, as there is no other organisation that has qualified Level 2 Angling Coaches teaching fishing skills. Steve Walker from BACC said, we had some great interest from the youngsters and are now looking to organise classroom session in schools and community centres in and around Thetford. When the weather improves they will be able to put all what they learnt into real practice by hopefully catch some good fish in the local river. ESOL with Fishing Sunday 12^th of June saw the delivery of a pilot fishing activity embedded with English communication skills. Two Portuguese and one Polish Migrant worker attended the course, which was organised by Adult Education, Breckland Angling Coaching Club and the GMB Union. Recent media attention has focused on Migrants stealing and killing fish from Rivers and lakes. Many of these groups of people are unaware of Rod Licence and Environmental Laws in the UK . The aim of the day was to gain knowledge of the laws and to learn key phases and terms in fishing. Additionally improvements would be made with practical fishing techniques. The day started by using white boards by the fishing coaches, which covered health and Safety using drawings and diagrams. Handouts and booklets were given out to identify fish caught and reinforcement of fishing laws was covered. Demonstrations were given on tackling up the rods with questions and answer sessions that followed. After some 2 hours the practical element of the course was now ready to start. First came plumbing the waters depth followed by casting demonstrations and bait presentation. From the first cast fish were being caught and the next exercise was the fish had to be identified by using the booklet. Once this had been done the learners had to write the name of the fish on a pad. They had to do this every time they caught a fish throughout the day. When larger fish were caught the group gathered together to look at the make up of the fish identifying eyes, gills and fins etc. Food habits, growth and weights of the fish were also covered. To finish off the day Janice Reed the ESOL tutor from Adult Education asked questions relating to day in different tenses, of past and present. Key words, phases and a brief summary of what fish were caught from those fishing was also achieved on the bank. To finalise the day the coaches covered briefly what had been covered on the day and all felt confident that this had been an effective way to raise awareness in issues around fishing in the UK . The day was captured on video and digital camera and will be edited to promote to other organisations that they may be interested in the pilot. Janice felt there was an opportunity to develop this activity further within ESOL and also Basic Skills. Further days are planned in the next few months and we are sure that the next one will be over subscribed with interest from Migrant Workers of Norfolk. Learning in the Community The GMB has been involved in developing a project within the town of Thetford , Norfolk with the local community. It has taken months of planning and with loads of hard work, but it’s finally finished for four of them, that’s the NVQ Level 2 in Angling Coaching for members of Breckland Angling Coaching Club (BACC) based in Thetford. Nine keen fisherman attended the course, which held sessions in Child Protection, First Aid, Presentation skills, coaching Practices, Risk Assessment and Effective coaching techniques. Over the last few months they have been building a portfolio of evidence to be assessed by Angling Bodies. They have been monitored with delivering practical coaching skills that have been used for further evidence for the National Federation of Anglers coaching Licence (NFA). All of the group were volunteers from all different backgrounds; Police, Engineers, Draughtsmen, Wood Maintenance, Factory Operatives and one retired person of 74 years of age. All had a common interest in pasting on their skills and knowledge of fishing to those in the community that wanted to take up this sport. Steve Walker the Project Co-ordinator said, “initially there was a bit of concern, anxiety and fear amongst the group if they could do the course, as many of them have not been involved in education or learning since leaving school and were lacking confidence. From the start of the Project I saw great amounts of courage and commitment and I am very proud to be associated with all of them, as they have all done extremely well. Getting back on the learning ladder is not easy for anyone and I am confident that all of them will make fantastic coaches and their new skills will benefit them and the community in the future.” “Once all of the coaches have been officially awarded the qualification they will have all the necessary skills to deliver high quality Angling coaching to Children and Adults. They will be able to offer anyone that comes along on to one of the “introduction to Fishing days” a chance to try this sport, that already has 4 million participants in the UK ”.	Latest Additions
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	Contact Info
	Jenny Webber call 01603 625260 Steve Walker call 07905 635023

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