Inspire receives Discovering Ashfield Award for multiplying skills in the community

Published 14th February 2024

Ian Bond, Inspire Learning Director receives a Kirkby Multiply Award certificate and wooden plaque at the Discovering Ashfield Awards event.

Ian Bond, Inspire Learning Director receives the Discovering Ashfield Kirkby Multiply Award

Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries has received an award in recognition of its work in Ashfield to help local residents multiply their confidence, opportunities and employability through a programme of courses designed to increase numeracy skills and grow confidence in maths.

The Kirkby Multiply Award was presented to Inspire Adult Learning at the Discovering Ashfield Awards event at Kirkby Leisure Centre on Friday 2 February 2024. The event celebrated residents and businesses that have gone above and beyond to support the community during the past year.

Inspire’s Multiply courses aim to help people brush up on their maths skills and become more confident with numbers. Funded by the government’s Skills for Life programme, Multiply has supported almost 1000 residents in the area to develop their numeracy skills and grow their confidence in maths since it launched in 2022.

From work, household budgeting to helping kids with their homework, courses are designed for complete beginners to those wanting to build on their existing maths knowledge in a supportive and relaxed environment. There’s also opportunities for progression, with learners able to move on to recognised maths qualifications if they wish.

Delivered at local Inspire libraries, including the newly refurbished Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Learning Centre, people can get help taking those first steps towards a more formal numeracy qualification, and get help to manage their money more effectively. There’s also courses for parents who want to increase their skills so they can help their children, with many classes designed for families.

“I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of Inspire Adult Learning and our dedicated team. It really is great news and demonstrates the positive impact and success of our Multiply programme in Kirkby. We’re supporting people who may not otherwise have stepped outside their comfort zone, and to have reached as many people as we have since the programme started is a fantastic achievement.”

Ian Bond, INSPIRE, Learning Director.

“I didn’t get my Maths GCSE at school as my grades were low. I find that jobs ask for a GCSE and as my boss is very supportive, he suggested a course. I did the 3 sessions of Multiply ‘Maths… But Less Scary’ in March 2023 at my local library. The tutor was really good and explained it to me in a way I understood. After the course, I decided to enrol on the Maths Functional Skills course so I can work towards getting my Level 2.”

Matthew, a local resident.

< Back to all news