Adult Learners' Week launch day

Residents are learning it's never too late to broaden their horizons with a series of free workshops offered by Hackney Council. More than 900 people are taking part in taster sessions, held at venues across the borough, during the Council’s Adult Learners’ Week, which kicked-off on 14 June with music, dance and circus performances at a launch day outside Hackney Learning Trust, Reading Lane.

The Adult Learning team and other Council services were at the day to offer advice.

Healthy cooking lessons, public speaking, circus arts and sign language are just some of the fun and educational activities being offered by the Council in a bid to get adults back into learning.

The specially-tailored sessions have been designed to enhance employability, boost confidence and self-esteem, and help adults support their children at school.

Ella Ali, 32, attended Healthy Cook and Eat on a Budget at Morningside Children’s Centre. She said: “I really want my family to eat more healthily so this workshop was great for getting tips."We learnt to make lots of healthy food including Italian salads. I normally cook chickpeas, but I’d never used them cold in salads before – absolutely delicious! I would recommend this workshop to friends and family and want to learn more in the future!”

Other sample sessions offered were baking, local history, floristry and first aid. While those looking to boost their tech skills were able to sign up to an introduction to the internet, email, smartphones and iPads, or find out how to design a website and how to use Adobe Photoshop. Parents were also able learn how to keep themselves and their children safe online.