Implementing "Inspiring Learning for All", MLA’s new framework for learning within the sector, requires leadership skills both at a strategic level and across the organisation. Identifying champions for learning will help in this process.
Therefore, MLA South East introduced a "Learning Champions" programme which ran between October 2005 and March 2006.
The objective of this initiative was to create learning champions across the region who will:
- develop a clear understanding of the dimensions of learning across the domains
- act as advocates for learning as a top priority both within their organisation and with external stakeholders
- become a focus for advice, support and assistance in their specific domain
- understand how the impact of learning on users of museums, archives and libraries can be captured
- develop capacity in the region by cascading their experience and expertise to others
The following were selected to participate in the Learning Champions programme:
- Richard Bareham, Staff Development Manager, Hampshire Libraries;
- Gaynor Baveystock, Principal Librarian, Inclusion and Learning, Slough;
- Christine Beresford, Museum Development Officer, Hampshire and Isle of Wight;
- Margaret Cooke, Archivist in the Access and Learning Team, Hampshire Record Office;
- Joanne Creighton, Education and Community Director, Chatham Historic Dockyard;
- Jackie Edelman, Education Officer, Royal Navy Submarine Museum;
- Catherine Harvey, Education Officer, Hastings Museum;
- Susie Hastie, Adult Team Librarian, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead;
- Gillian Lawrence, Lifelong Learning Manager, Kent Libraries and Archives;
- Jane Nash, Museum Education Co-ordinator West Sussex Museums Council;
- Julie O'Neil, Adult and Community Learning librarian at Brighton
- Rebecca Williams, Outreach Support Assistant, Surrey History Centre
Eight training days were arranged on the following subjects: Inspiring Learning for All; E Learning; Strategic Marketing; Diversity; Not for the Likes of You (Audience Development); Creativity; Basic Skills and Reader Development. In addition to attending the training sessions, the learning champions were encouraged to undertake some form of personal development initiative during the course of the programme eg. shadowing a member of staff in a museum, library or archive, visiting a related organisation or attending a specific conference
