"Having access to learning opportunities can help someone make the transition from disempowered patient to being a citizen with rights…….. being a student allows a person to discard the identity of a "patient and "client" and assume a valued role. "

Further Education Development Agency, Images of Possibility, 1997

Many people suffering or recovering from mental health problems find traditional routes to adult education inaccessible. Large groups, intimidating venues, curriculums that don't accomodate periods of ill health, and teaching staff and fellow students who don't understand can all prevent people in recovery from taking up educational opportunties
The Mental Health Education Project was set up in April 1999 to make further education and training more accessible to adults experiencing or recovering from mental health problems.

Herefordshire Mental Health Education Project
The Threshing Barn
Kingstone
Hereford
HR2 9HU

Tel: 01981 251303
Email: jachapman@threshingbarn96.freeserve.co.uk

Contact:Tiz Chapman

Description:
The project provides a rolling programme of short courses throughout the county, designed either as ends in themselves or as stepping stones into mainstream education. The project use venues across Herefordshire and has links into all adult education establishments in Herefordshire.
It has funding for transport and childcare costs to enable people to attend courses.
To date the project has run courses on Art and Design, Psychology, Plant care, Information Technology, Gardening, Creative Writing, Photography, Music, Cookery and Yoga.

Click HERE for Current Courses

Access:
To find out more or enrol on a course contact Tiz Chapman by phone.

Herefordshire Growing Point
Holme Lacy College
Hereford
HR2 6LL
Tel: 01531 634850

Contact: Sue Reeks (administrator)

Description:
Growing Point is therapeutic gardening charity that recognises the therapeutic value of gardening and its potential to aid recovery. Based at Holme Lacy Agricultural College where it has a "demonstration garden" It offers :

• Workshops with instruction

• Visits to the demonstration garden

• Regular maintenance days at the demonstration garden (practical days with no formal instruction)

• Therapeutic gardening sessions in the demonstration garden or in the community.

• Gardening clubs in residential homes or other groups of interested people with any form of disability.

Costs:
Individuals : £5.00 annually, or £25.00 life membership
Organisations: £25.00 annually or £5.00 per group per session.

Access: to find out more contact Sue Reeks

Link: Greengate - Herefordshire Conservation Network

Herefordshire Literacy Project (HELP)
Herefordshire College of Technology
Folly Lane
Hereford

Contact:
Vanessa Ford (HELP manager)
Tel: 01432 352235 ext 645 (daytime)
01432 269136 (evenings)
or
John Chapman (HELP Chairman)
Tel: 01981251303

Description:
The project offers one to one support to people wanting to improve their reading, spelling, writing or number skills. HELP is a county wide network of volunteer teachers who provide tuition either at home or in one of HELP's centres in Herefordshire.

Costs:
FREE

The South Wye Literacy Project

Contact: Julie (South Wye Literacy Officer)
Tel: 01432 375988
Or: 07944 025875

Description:
The South Wye Literacy Project is an additional service funded by government regeneration funds currently going into South Wye Area of Hereford. It provides the same type of service as HELP but is aimed specifically at residents of the Newton Farm, Hunderton, Redhill, Hinton, Putson and Belmont areas of Hereford.

Costs:
FREE

Echo
6 School lane
Leominster
Herefordshire
HR6 8AA
Tel: 01568 620307

Contact:
Fiona Ritchie

Description:
Echo works in partnership with a variety of organisations to provide meaningful quality choices for people with disabilities in Herefordshire. It runs a programme of activities mainly for people with moderate to severe learning difficulties. However it also supports anyone wanting to take part in educational or arts activities including people with mental health problems. The Mental Health Education Project has close links with Echo.

Click HERE for Current Courses

The Herefordshire Lifelong Learning Partnership
is made up of the organisations listed below. It works with groups and individuals to develop new learning opportunities in local areas.
To do this it employs Community Learning Officers to:

• provide information about courses and classes available in your area

• help individuals find the right course for them

• support in making choices about your next learning or training step

Community Learning Officers
Ann Hyde Tel: 07773 370622 - North Herefordshire
Meg Hughes Tel: 07980 277085 - East Herefordshire
Helen Waites Tel: 07980 898019 - South Herefordshire
Lyn Juffernholz Tel: 01432 260263 - South Wye
Sandra Silcox Tel: 01432 365365 - North City and Central Herefordshire

Organisations

Herefordshire College of Art and Design
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LT
Tel: 01432 273359

Chamber of Commerce
Crossway House
Holmer Rd
Hereford
HR4 9FF
Tel: 01432 356699

Community First
41a Bridge St
Hereford
HR4 9DG
Tel: 01432 267820

Employment Service
Haswell House
Sansome St
Worcester
Tel: 01905 684690

Herefordshire College of Technology
Folly Lane
Hereford
Tel 01432 352235
and
2nd Floor
7 Buttercross
Leominster
Tel: 01568 615863

and

Herefordshire Council
Grange House
PO Box 44
Leominster HR6 8ZD
Tel: 01432 260193

Herefordshire Group Training Association
Holmer Rd
Hereford
HR4 9SX

Holme Lacy College
Holme Lacy
Hereford
HR2 6LL
Tel: 01432 870316

Royal National College for the Blind
College Road
Hereford
HR1 1EB
Tel: 01432 256725

Hereford Sixth Form College
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LU
Tel: 01432 355166

Hereford and Worcester Careers Service
County Buildings
St Mary's St
Worcester
WR1 1TW
Tel: 01905 765479