WAVENEY has its first Community Learning Champion.Clare Strachan will help to promote learning across the district and her role comes with a new pot of funding awarded to Waveney Learning Community, a partnership of local training providers of the voluntary and statutory sectors.

WAVENEY has its first Community Learning Champion.

Clare Strachan will help to promote learning across the district and her role comes with a new pot of funding awarded to Waveney Learning Community, a partnership of local training providers of the voluntary and statutory sectors. The new project is aimed at identifying local community champions who want to make a difference and take on a role of helping others to learn in their community.

The role will be that of signposting, mentoring and generally supporting people, whether it be friends, family, work colleagues or anyone else they meet.

Clare will receive training and it is hoped her role will expand to organisations such as LEAP and Infolink.

Clare said: 'I am very excited at being asked to be the first Community Learning Champion in Waveney. As a young person who has little academic qualifications, I feel very strongly about helping others gain qualifications and entering into learning in a way that is informal and tailored to their specific needs.

'Too many people have barriers to learning; they think there is no easy way to find out where the training is, so it will be an eye-opener for me and this scheme will assist all members of the community to find out through me, and I will be able to bring all the information together for them.'

Christine Pinsent, co-ordinator of the project for Waveney, said more community champions are needed in the rural areas. 'There will be plenty of support for each champion. They will get a champions pack, training and paid expenses to make it all work,' she said.

If you want to be a champion, telephone Christine on 01502 539711 or 07866 070073.