Chronicle helps women boost their literacy and spread the word

ThE Oldham Chronicle’s newspaper sales manager, Steve Duthie, with (front, from the left) Family Learning Programme Leader and tutor Yvette Cotman, Suhela Khanom, Suma Choudhury, (back, from the left) tutor Lynn Dixon, Naseem Akhtar, Tamina Bhatti, Riana Kosir, Farzana Mazhar and Wahida Bi

Students champion success of course

THE trials and tribulations of working to tight deadlines to get a newspaper out on time were explored by a group of women improving their literacy skills.

The students have tapped into the Oldham Evening Chronicle to develop their skills as they work on a newsletter for Werneth Park Lifelong Learning Centre.

The 10-week Family Learning course aimed at people with families is part of a drive to create Learning Champions who will fly the flag for the service.

The aim is that they will tell other people what they have achieved within this three-year initiative and encourage others to take advantage.

Suhela Khanom, one of the nine women on the course, explained: “We didn’t have a clue when we started, we have learned so much.

“I used to just flick through a newspaper then scrunch it up to throw away or use it to put my chips on.

“Now I know much more about what goes into producing a newspaper I will think about all the hard work that goes into making it.”

Suhela said of her journey to become a Learning Champion: “It has given us a huge boost, and will lead to us taking exams which will help our future.”

Fellow-student Tamina Bhatti (38) said it had boosted her confidence. “When I started three years ago I was shy and never spoke out.

“Now I am confident to speak my mind, I have learned a lot and feel capable of talking about it.”

Riana Kosir paid tribute to the Chronicle for its involvement, and said: “I have learned a lot about newspapers and will view them differently now.

“We had no idea about everyday life in a newspaper office, it’s quite exciting, we have learned about a newspaper’s structure and the work that goes into laying it out.

“I think a newspaper reporter’s life is quite interesting.”

Farzana Mazhar ( 37) has completed half a dozen courses on the scheme, from childcare and first aid to ICT and numeracy.

She said: “I am finding it really enjoyable, and the knowledge we have gained is very useful. The main reason we are here is to gain qualifications, level two is similar to a GCSE.”

Course tutor Yvette Cotman, Family Learning Programme Leader, commended the enthusiasm and commitment of her students, saying: “Family Learning Champions are a pilot project for us, and these women have done things on our courses that they have never done before.

“It’s all new and we are still learning as we go along but it is turning out to be very successful.”

The courses run at Werneth Park’s Lifelong Learning Centre, for three hours a week, supported by a creche.