Why is the Partnership involved with culture?
We recognise that learning can help people to build skills and knowledge for cultural enrichment and creative fulfillment. It can help to meet the basic human need for creativity and stimulation. In addition many cultural activities can build confidence and lead on to other learning activities, either leisure learning or accredited learning.
For this reason we are a founder member of Surrey’s Cultural Forum, which brings together perspectives from right across the cultural sector for the first time in Surrey and oversees the Culture Strategy, 'Taking Part in Surrey'. We have helped to develop a major theme within the strategy which focuses on engaging people in learning through culture.
Cultural Forum Launch Event
On Friday 20 March 2009 ‘Taking Part in Surrey’ was launched. The launch event was compered by the Chair of the Cultural Forum, Phillip Witcomb, with keynote speaker Richard Stilgoe. Kevin Delf of Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership presented the culture strategy and highlighted the importance of developing the learning environment.
Regional Cultural Diversity Event Brings Woking Alive
On 9 May 2009 we organised a ‘Celebration of Culture’ in Woking Town Centre. 2,500 people enjoyed a wide range of internationally-themed acts played in a free concert and there were informative stalls from local adult learning providers, where adults could find out more about opportunities to learn in Surrey. Funded by the South East England Development Agency to celebrate Cultural Diversity Weekend as part of NIACE’s national Adult Learners’ Week Campaign 2009, there were many positive outcomes. 500 booklets about adult learning opportunities in Surrey were distributed and there were many customers for nextstep and local learning providers.
