NATIONAL QUALITY MARK EQUALS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR LEARN FOR LIFE ENTERPRISE
Sheffield based organisation, Learn for Life Enterprise, has been accredited with the nationally recognised quality mark for organisations which provide support to individuals to make learning and work more accessible – the Matrix Standard.
A social enterprise, Learn for Life Enterprise, is a community hub based in the culturally and ethnically diverse area of Sharrow which is amongst the top 10% of the most deprived areas in the country with a high BME presence.
The organisation was established in 2008 and has developed a strong reputation for its work
within the community amongst partners and learners.
Many learners are hard to reach, rootless and vulnerable adults who, in some cases, are
asylum seekers, refugees, ex-offenders, ex-substance abusers and/or live in hostels.
The main provision offered is ESOL, supporting learners from beginner level to advanced.
These are run from Sharrow, although outreach facilities are also provided in other challenged
areas of the city. Training and learning is also available in;-
• Functional Skills
• Foreign Languages
• Music
• Art and Crafts
• Creative Writing
• Computing
• Digital Media
• Citizenship
Learn for Life Enterprise has 300+ students and wanted to ensure that their students were receiving the best information, advice and guidance possible. Therefore the organisation decided that the matrix Standard, amongst other things, would help it to accredit the service it provides. Says Hayley Nelson, Director of Learn for Life Enterprise:
“We first found out about the matrix standard last September when the Skills Funding Agency made it a necessary requirement for organisations to become accredited before September 2014 to carry on receiving funding. It has benefited our organisation by assisting us in improving our services and quality assuring our provision as well as giving us national recognition.”
David Allan, Managing Director at emqc Ltd said of the organisation’s achievement:
“This matrix Accreditation is another example of how the matrix Standard is proving effective for all types of organisations, helping them to provide a more professional service offering and to strive to be the best in their sector.”
Learn for Life Enterprise has been established for 6 years and is based at 241-243 London Road.
Any other organisations that would like to know more about how the matrix Standard might be able to help, can find out more by contacting matrix on 0845 304 8600.
About the matrix Standard:- The matrix Standard is the national quality mark for all organisations delivering information, advice and guidance services.
- The matrix Standard is highly adaptable to a range of organisational§ settings, regardless of size or sector, including further/higher education establishments, training providers and voluntary/community organisations.
- The matrix Standard is maintained and promoted by emqc Ltd on behalf of BIS.
