Councillors were today (Tuesday 12 September) updated on the progress of a programme that helps improve the life chances of people in Aberdeen of all ages through learning, personal development and active citizenship.
The Community Learning and Development Plan 2021-24 devised by Aberdeen City Council officers also helps create stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential communities across the city.
Today’s report, presented to the Education and Children’s Services Committee, was approved in 2021 against a backdrop of fast changing circumstances such as the Covid pandemic, cost of living crisis and supporting Ukrainian refugees.
The report highlighted achievements so far including:
- Partnership working with schools to deliver Edge of Care pilots supporting young people’s wellbeing;
- Helping young people gain workplace skills through Fairer Aberdeen funding;
- Family Wellbeing Hubs providing early intervention help to children, young people and families;
- Improving the mental wellbeing of adults in the city’s communities;
- Helping adult learners including asylum seekers and the Gypsy Traveller community to gain new skills and confidence;
- Supporting communities to address emerging priorities. These include Warm Spaces and the Pop Up Ukrainian Community Centre;
- Building social enterprise and community wealth through partnership working;
- Developing a framework to support community volunteers.
Committee Convener, Councillor Martin Greig, said: “Helping our communities to become more resilient and people of all ages to achieve their goals through supported learning and wellbeing is vital for the prosperity of Aberdeen particularly at a time of real financial challenges for everyone.
“It was really heartening to hear about what we have helped achieve within our communities since 2021. It’s clear that citizens, young and old alike, are really benefiting from the Community Learning and Development Plan.”
Vice Convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “People across Aberdeen are facing cost of living issues and other challenges in their daily lives. It’s so important that we support individuals and their communities to best cope with these challenges. Today’s report shows that the Community Learning and Development Plan is doing exactly that with some great results since it began in 2021.”
The committee also approved a change in governance to better support the plan and future Community Learning and Development Plans. It also instructed the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report to the committee annually with progress updates.