Leeds City College: Improving Digital Skills Through Family Learning

Family Learning at Leeds City College supports more than 120 families each year through community-based courses for parents and carers, many of whom use English as an additional language.

Working closely with local schools, Leeds City Council and 100% Digital Leeds, the funding helped adults build confidence, develop essential skills and better support their children’s education.

While learner engagement remained strong, digital exclusion continued to be a significant barrier. Many parents had limited access to devices, which restricted their ability to develop digital skills, access services and progress to further learning or employment.

Proposal:

Leeds City College applied for funding to increase access to digital learning equipment for Family Learning participants. The request focused on two key resources:

• Additional Chromebooks for learners to use during community-based sessions.
• A GoCabby portable charging trolley to store, charge and transport devices between learning locations.

Together, these resources would help tutors deliver engaging and inclusive lessons by bringing digital learning directly to parents and carers in their local communities.

Benefits of the funding:

• Access to digital learning resources will benefit over 120 Family Learning participants across the community, every year.
• Parents with English as second language will gain more confidence and digital skills, which will in turn enhance their children’s learning and development.
• New digital learning resources will ensure that every learner can complete tasks, explore online resources and use AI-assisted tools.
• Once Family Learning participants have completed their 12-week course participants receive tailored information, advice and guidance to progress to further studying including ESOL, Functional Skills, GCSE, Digital Skills, Employability or Teaching Assistant courses. Many go on to volunteering or additional learning, inspiring others and fostering confidence, aspiration and lifelong learning within their families and communities.
• Accessibility to digital technology within the community enabled partner schools, community organisations and local services to widen their participation in adult education.
• Long term benefits of the funding will help drive inclusive economic growth by aiding families to develop transferable skills that are valued by employers. As well as progression for college, local businesses and training providers benefiting from more highly skilled learners.