A POSITIVE “access all areas” philosophy by Bolton College to bring learning to the local community is helping transform the lives of many people.

As part of its commitment to engaging all audiences in education, the college’s community learning department runs a Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) initiative.

Run each year by a dedicated team within the college, the scheme aims to make education and training accessible to all groups and individuals in hard-to-reach areas within the community. This allows them to further and develop their own lives, whether through progression to employment, further education or volunteering.

The initiative has been operating for 11 years, initially via Bolton Council before the college team took it over in 2006-07. Funded by Bolton Council via the Skills Funding Agency, those involved can benefit from meetings, training, workshops and one-to-one learning throughout the year.

Bolton College’s main campus is on Deane Road. It has four additional hubs and staffed sites at the Deane and Derby Community Learning Centre, Brownlow Fold Community Learning Centre, New Bury Community Learning Centre and Westhoughton Community Learning Centre.

The NLDC programmes are delivered at various locations and at additional group sites across Bolton where partner organisations are based. Those who have benefited from the initiative include ex-offenders, lone parents, refugees, asylum seekers, long term unemployed and families from disadvantaged areas.

Bolton College marketing manager Steve Murphy said: “The NLDC scheme prides itself on helping adults who have missed the opportunity to learn and provides them with the ability to grow, improve their confidence and contribute to society and their community.”