Chalvey a learning community
Peter Felgate, Temporary Education and Inclusion Team Manager, further details TBC

Some background
According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation Chalvey has been identified as one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Berkshire. Research into the Lower Super Output Areas showed that Chalvey suffers particularly from income and employment deprivation as well as crime and living environment. The area is 60% BME, including all Non-White British groups and is a gateway area for new arrivals to the country.
The Chalvey spoke, part of the Slough Hub and Spoke network already exists and provides learning and support locally. All the organisations involved have specialist knowledge of and access to their communities.
The purpose of Chalvey, a learning community is to enable participants in the spoke and others, identified below, to pool their knowledge and data for the first time to;
- Take a snapshot of grassroots learning/enterprise activity and agency collaboration in the most deprived ward in Berkshire
- Establish what kind of barriers are preventing people from learning and improving their situation
- Find out what kind of learning people who have the least opportunities want
- Highlight critical success factors
- Make recommendations that will deliver necessary improvement
The work will be led by CfBT and will involve learners, providers, Council and community organisations to make the research as reliable and comprehensive as possible.
| WEA | Berkshire Somali Organisation |
| East Berkshire College | Pakistani Welfare Association |
| Thames Valley University | Chalvey Community Wardens |
| Slough Surestart | East African Young Peoples Association |
| Library Learn | CMS – Community Multi Services |
| Scout Enterprises | Slough & Eton ACL Provider |
| CfBT Advice & Guidance | Slough Capacity Builders | Slough UK On Line – Chalvey |
Outputs
- A better informed, stronger spoke with clear information on which to base future decisions and actions and where to concentrate resources
- The experience of conducting collaborative research and a model for how to do this in the future
- A comprehensive report on the findings with recommendations for action going forward which can be used to inform local policy, funding bodies and to support bids for funds
- Case studies and effective documentation
Reports and case studies:
Chalvey a learning community report
- Case Study A Get back into work after redundancy, older workers
- Case study B Getting life back on track for young offenders
- Case study C Guidance and support for completing job applications
- Case study D Support to identify and overcome the route of long term learning difficulties, dyslexia
- Template A letter to participants