Haringey Adult Learning Services (HALS) is the council learning service that specialises in teaching adults aged 19 or over. They offer a number of courses that are short, focused and designed to fit study in around work and family commitments.

Over the summer, HALS teamed up with partners across the borough to offer a series of taster events to adults aged 19+ as part of the Festival of Learning ‘Have a Go Month’. There were almost 50 learning events that were free to attend and approximately 500 learners took part in activities such as Skills and Qualities for Work, Sudd

en Infant Death, How to Better Communicate with Teenagers, Yoga, Reflexology, Relaxation and Mindfulness, Pattern Cutting, Creative Writing, Art, Web Design, Indian Folk Dance and African Ancestry.

Partners from Tottenham included Bridge Renewal Trust, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Living Under One Sun, Community Cook Up, Breadline London and House of AKUNNA.

Events took place at Coombes Croft Library, St Anne’s Library, Marcus Garvey Library, Triangle Children’s Centre, Tottenham Café Connect and Lordship Hub.

The aim of the festival was to inspire people to learn something new and encourage them to consider returning to learning. It gave organisations within the borough the chance to promote and showcase the opportunities they currently provide, offer a new service or activity to their current users and celebrate what they do.

HALS partner Breadline London said: ‘It was great being a partner in the festival this year, there was so much support from Leanne and the support hub, and the participants who attended our session had a great time. We look forward to taking part again next year. Thanks to everyone from Breadline London’

A learner on the Creative Arts workshop with Wave Café said: ‘It was my first event where I had an opportunity of mixing together with people with learning disabilities. I was very moved. I actually didn’t realise how many stereotypes I had in my mind about people with learning disabilities.’

‘I came with assumptions about the event, which were challenged and I found it very interesting and thought-provoking.’ A learner on Tracing African Caribbean Ancestry workshop added.

From September, there will be a range of courses on offer including Functional Skills – English and Maths (up to Level 2), ESOL (up to Level 2), Level 2 C

ounselling Skills, IT (up to Level 2), MS Office, Photoshop, Video Editing, Illustrator, InDesign and Introduction to Teaching. From October, Level 1 Bookkeeping and Level 1 Accounting will also be offered.

Employability Skills workshops on Career Planning, CV Writing and Applying for Interviews are run throughout the year.

Enrolment for courses starting in September begins on Monday 4 September. For more information, call 020 8489 2596/2523.