What’s on: new “Learning 4 Everyone” courses announced

A record 400 courses, workshops, taster sessions, talks and flexible learning opportunities have been launched by York Learning as part of its adult Learning 4 Everyone programme.

Alongside 3D printing, artisan bread-making, holiday Spanish and seated pilates courses, a range of Saturday night takeaway workshops will be served on how to rustle up tasty Chinese, Indian and Turkish meals.dimsum-basket

Participants will be able to take these home and will have the confidence to cook for family meals or for entertaining friends.

For the first time a series of specialist interest talks has been introduced, delivered by gurus from the world of gardening and archaeology. Topics explored will include big planting for small spaces, giving nature a helping hand and discovering what bones, glass, soil and bricks can tell us about the past.

Also new this year is a collection of 12 different fun and creative workshops or courses to make wedding days more personal. Crafts include preparing wedding flowers, designing contemporary wedding stationary and hairdressing for bride and bridesmaids which can be recreated for a bespoke wedding day by brides-to-be and their friends.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Learning as an adult can help increase your confidence, health and happiness as well as furthering your career and professional development.

“The success of this growing programme is built on feedback from both our new and loyal learners. Learning 4 Everyone caters for all levels of ability at over 40 different locations, offering a truly city wide approach to adult education.”

As well as popular leisure subjects such as languages, crafts, arts, music, photography, fitness and cookery the programme offers family and workplace learning, apprenticeships and qualifications.

The Learning 4 Everyone programme covers winter, spring and summer 2016. A detailed brochure will be landing on doorsteps of York residents throughout December and early January, which also includes details of adult learning opportunities with other city providers such as York College, Explore York, University of York and the Workers’ Educational Association.

For more information or to book online visit http://www.yortime.org.uk/. Residents can also book by calling York Learning on 01904 552806 or in person at West Offices between 10am and 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please note that only online bookings are available over the Christmas period, from 25 December to 3 January 2016.

Residents urged to support vulnerable friends and neighbours over the festive period

City of York Council is urging residents to think of vulnerable friends and neighbours over the festive period.

Casserole_Christmas_Campaign_HeaderIt’s estimated that over half a million older people in the UK spend Christmas Day alone*.

Councillor Carol Runciman, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health, City of York Council, said: “For many people, Christmas and the festive break is a chance to spend time with family and friends. But for hundreds of older and vulnerable people across the York area the holiday period can be a lonely and difficult time.

“I would urge people to pop in to check on vulnerable neighbours or make time for elderly relatives to make sure they have a warm, healthy and happy Christmas. No one should be lonely over the festive period.”

Top tips for supporting older or vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives, include:

  • Make sure they’re warm enough – the temperature in their home should be at least 18oC, particularly if they are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over, and they may need to wear several layers of clothes to stay warm.
  • Try to make sure they have regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day.
  • Check that they have enough medication to last the period that their GP practice is closed, so they don’t risk getting ill if they run out.
  • Information about social groups and activities for older people is available through www.connecttosupport.org/york or through contacting Age UK York on 01904 627995.

Christmas can also be a particularly difficult time for people living with dementia. For information about how to support people with dementia over the festive period, visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ and search for ‘tips for Christmas support’.

For more information about Age UK’s national Spread the Warmth campaign visit http://www.ageuk.org.uk/ or see http://www.york.gov.uk/for more information about keeping well during winter.

*figures based on research carried out by Age UK in 2011

More people in York City centre

 

increase-footfall-retailFootfall cameras suggest popularity increasing

The latest footfall figures – taken from several camera locations in the City centre – reveal that more people are visiting the area than 12 months ago.

Figures for Coney Street reveal an average of 25,926 movements per day over the 12 months up to 13th December. That is the highest ever recorded, based on a 12 month rolling average

There is a similar picture in Church Street where an average of 3922 people are currently being recorded each day. This compared to 3861 recorded in the `12 months leading up to 24th August.

There has been a small reduction in footfall in Micklegate, where it is down from 7101 recorded in August to 6986 today.

Parliament Street has averaged 24511 movements per day so far in December.

Detailed figures are available on the Councils open data web site Click