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date: 8 October 2009

embargo: For immediate release

Learning Revolution Festival

TRADE UNIONS BRING THE LEARNING REVOLUTION FESTIVAL TO THE NORTH EAST AND CUMBRIA

Trade union members, family and friends across the North East and Cumbria are being given the opportunity to join in The Learning Revolution Festival, a month-long celebration of everything that's great about learning for pleasure and the benefits it brings to individuals, families, businesses and communities.

Throughout October, trade union organised events across the North East and Cumbria will highlight the wide variety of learning available. The month will give people who already take part in informal learning a chance to celebrate what they enjoy, and others the opportunity to try something new.

Events Planned include:

Elizabeth Killoran, unionlearn Regional Manager said: 'We're delighted to bring The Learning Revolution Festival to the North East and Cumbria.

'The Festival will give everyone locally the opportunity to try something new and to enjoy the benefits of learning for pleasure, which can involve anything from being part of a local sports' team or book club, to visiting museums in the area or researching something of interest online.

'Hundreds of trade union members in England are already part of The Learning Revolution and enjoy many different types of informal learning. Trade unionists know that the ability to acquire new skills is of critical importance for their members during challenging economic times. Informal learning can be a real stepping-stone, for many people, into accredited learning and increased job security as a direct result.

The Learning Revolution white paper was published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in March 2009 to open up opportunities and highlight the real benefits of informal adult learning. Evidence shows it improves individual wellbeing, community cohesion and helps people back to work or further training.

Nationally, the Government has committed £210 million to support The Learning Revolution, with an additional £20 million Transformation Fund recently awarded to 213 different projects to encourage learning within communities.

To Find out more about the Learning Revolution Festival, visit www.direct.gov.uk/learningrevolution, or call 0800 100 900

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Libraries, galleries, adult education providers, sports clubs, voluntary organisations, self organised groups and many other organisations can get involved by showcasing activities that are already available and offering, or signposting, new activities to get people started.

It's all part of the Learning Revolution - a movement to open up opportunities and highlight the real benefits of learning for enjoyment, personal development and community development. To find your nearest Learning Revolution Festival event or find out how you can encourage others to get involved, go to www.direct.gov.uk/learningrevolution

Adults across England can also call 0800 100 900 to find out about more learning opportunities and how learning for pleasure can help them

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Contacts: Media enquiries: Linda Hughes; T: 07717531171; E: lhughes@tuc.org.uk

Press release (700 words) issued 15 Oct 2009