Somerset communities grow stronger with us!

If you run a charity or organisation that provides community education to Somerset residents aged 19+, and would like some funding to achieve your vision, we want to hear from you!* Our Community Learning Partnership Fund makes a difference and you can apply today!

Community Learning Partnership

Our Community Learning Team supports programmes which maximise access to community learning across Somerset. We’re passionately committed to widening participation in learning across the county and, via funding provided by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), up to £30,000 per project is available to organisations in Somerset.

Sara Hodges, Community Learning Lead at SS&L, says,

“It’s a privilege to be able to fund the delivery of a diverse range of community learning projects across the county, all wishing to support the community’s needs. The Community Learning Fund and the amazing projects involved, truly contribute to changing lives through learning. The learning and education delivered by these projects engages people who might otherwise not be able to access learning via more conventional means, offering genuine social value to our communities across Somerset. Since September 2021 we’ve been able to fund and support 25 projects.”

Social value

We’re able to estimate a social value saving of approximately £214,000 due to those learners engaged in learning activities. We believe this gives a great insight into the wider impact of the fantastic work delivered to communities in Somerset.

The Stronger Communities Fund

If you’re an organisation involved in community learning and would benefit from further funding, why not apply to The Stronger Communities Fund?

The Stronger Communities Fund welcomes applications from community groups or organisations that support people of different ages and backgrounds to acquire a new skill, re-connect with learning to improve health & wellbeing and prepare for progression to vocational courses to support entry into the workplace or further learning.

How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for funding, please contact Sara Hodges via email at shodges@sslcic.co.uk for information or call for a chat on 07899 961536. We look forward to hearing from you.

SS&L is a leading adult education and apprenticeship training provider in Somerset, with five centres across the county.

* Residents from Bath & North East Somerset and North Somerset not eligible