Open Door Adult Learning Centre

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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Based in an inner city housing estate, to the
south east of Sheffield. Incepted by local
community activists Typical voluntary and
community organisation Registered
charity Incorporated 2008
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Open Door Adult Learning Centre

• Formed in 1981, as a drop-in Centre, for the high
  levels of unemployed - 25 usersBegan
  operating as a community resource centre in 1985

Originally servicing the close locality, offered
mostly non-accredited adult education, from
1989, to approximately 45 clients a week. 1996
had 100 FEFC learners on accredited courses
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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Achievements
Model Neighbourhood Centre Collaborative
working Managed Objective 1 project Demographic
data analyses Outstanding 2004 2008
Inspections Beacon status February 2006 Over
300 learners per week Provides free e-learning
materials
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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Good Practice
Quality learning environment Focal, community
hub Engagement with the locality Collaborative,
partnership working Contribute to community
cohesion Social enterprise working
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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Distance travelled

• 1981 - only 25 service users a week, now over
  300 per week.
• 1996 - failed FEFC inspection, subsequent
  re-inspection, now back-to-back Outstanding
  inspections in 2004 2008
• 2006 - awarded Beacon status
• Currently draws together a wide variety of local,
  groups, clubs and activities
• Progressed from leasing building to outright
  ownership, guaranteeing tenure for the locality

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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Sharing knowledge

• Focal point in the community
• Collaborative and partnership working
• Supports a number of community initiatives
• Rigorous consultation with locality
• Provides free resources for local community
  groups, especially out-of-term time
• Offers room and resources to local councillors,
  and Police, for monthly surgeries

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Open Door Adult Learning Centre
Future developments
Provide free resources and support to NLDC and
any other activity Provide free e-learning
resources to the locality Continue to offer
Centre as a polling station Work with local
groups and forums to explore social enterprise
activities Extend the local learning forum to
embrace joint advertising/publicity Explore a
community-wide e-learning platform