BEGIN is here to help you find the right course to help improve your:

 

If you live and intend to remain in the country.

 

We keep up-to-date details of Basic Skills courses for adults aged 16+ in Nottinghamshire and try to find a course that is right for you. We can help you if you need to:

 

 

We do not run any classes ourselves. Our role is to give up-to-date information and advice about the Basic Skills courses on offer across Nottinghamshire.  We have funding to provide services free of charge.

 

We can talk with you on the phone, or if you prefer, arrange for you to meet with one of our staff.  We will make it clear how you can use our services and do our best to give you the help you need:

 

 

BEGIN staff are trained to understand Basic Skills issues and are experienced in providing information and advice on Literacy, Numeracy and English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

We are an independent organisation and will offer impartial information or advice that is most relevant to your needs.  We will treat everyone fairly and with respect, regardless of their race, ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or disability.

 

We will write down your details and learning needs.  We may need to check if you can have free classes, or if you need to pay.  Your details will be kept strictly confidential and stored securely in line with the Data Protection Act.  With your permission we will record your details on our database, and will only pass it to organisations that we think can help you with your learning. 

 

If you want to join a course, we will make an appointment for you to meet with a trained tutor and send your details to the tutor before you go.  The tutor will talk to you about your individual needs and will arrange for you to start classes.  If we cannot make an appointment for you, we will ask the tutor to contact you directly, or we will find out if you can meet them at the class.

 

We will deal with your enquiry as soon as possible, and try and give you your first choice of place to study.  However, sometimes there is a wait because of holidays or because classes are full.  We may be able to get you started much sooner in a different College or in a community class.  If you are worried about your course, please phone us. 

 

 

 

Colleges offer a range of different literacy, numeracy and English Language courses at various times, including some evenings.  The level and type of course, and number of hours you are offered, will depend on the advice you get when you meet with a tutor before you start.

 

Colleges and other learning providers such as voluntary sector groups also run Community classes. 

 

At some centres you can simply drop in.  However, it is usually best for us to make you an appointment at the start so the tutor can get to know you and explain what is on offer. 

 

The classes are small and friendly, with usually only 8 to 10 people attending. The tutor will start by finding out more about your interests and learning needs. You will get lots of help with your personal aims and can work towards certificates and qualifications like the National Tests. The tutor should also arrange additional support if you have a disability or learning difficulty like dyslexia.  Some classes also have crèches.

 

Classes are free for most people who meet the British or European residency requirements.  If you have to pay, we will tell you about different centres that offer fee-paying provision, so you can choose where to go.

 

Please let us know if there is a problem or if the classes are not right for you. We will try and find something better for you.

 

If you are not happy with the help you have had from BEGIN, please contact the Service Manager, by phone, letter or email, or arrange a meeting.  We can send you our Complaints Policy on request.  We are always keen to get feedback on our service so that we can improve things for you.

 

 

 

The Berridge Centre                           

Stanley Road                                    

Forest Fields                                    

Nottingham                         

NG7 6HW                                    

TEL     0115 9780942                     

 

email            enquiries@begin.org.uk   

web             www.begin.org.uk