The RISE Support Network
It's not much fun learning on your own. You need people around you - both tutors and other learners - to guide your work, tell you about your progress and encourage you to carry on.
RISE understands that support is vital for any learner, and the RISE support network ensures that there's someone for you to turn to every step of the way.
Each county is looked after by a Learning Development Officer who will tell you how to start learning with RISE.
You can also get help from a volunteer Learning Advocate, someone local with first hand experience of RISE, who will explain to you the service RISE offers in your area and how you can access it.
Once you're enrolled on a course at your Learning Action Centre, you'll be welcome to join a Learners' group and take part in electing one or more Learner Representatives to make your voice heard at the centre's Learning Development Committee meetings. These meetings are attended by individuals involved in RISE at every level, but the loudest voice there will be yours, as RISE aims to have 50 per cent of the members of each committee to be learners.
Whether you need a question answered about which course to take next, or want to make a suggestion about how your centre is run, there is always someone available to listen to you and point you in the right direction.
Contact RISE now for further information.
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A Learning Advocate
Sue Goodyear was rising through the ranks as a nurse when she injured her back and had to give up her job. She missed the challenge of work, and began computer classes before moving to Newport and enrolling on a Spanish course.
"Learning has given me a social life," she says. "It has kept my brain active and given me a challenge and something to look forward to."
RISE offers concessions for people on benefits which has helped Sue to progress to her second year of Spanish. She is now thinking about taking some creative courses too!