Real ways of learning

Our real ways of learning include mentoring, multi-disciplinary learning, action learning sets, shadowing, networking, master classes, study tours and project visits.


To find out how you can get involved in one of these real ways of learning either email learning@creatingexcellence.org.uk or telephone our team on 0800 328 3234. More detailed information about each real way of learning is also given below along with a link to case studies showing how people have benefited from these experiences.

Mentoring

Making a commitment to sustainable communities can have a significant impact on how an individual and their organisation work and interact. Mentoring provides an ideal opportunity for those leading change to reflect on their work away from the work situation.

Successful sustainable communities are all about diverse groups, organisations and individuals working together to achieve their goals. Creating Excellence is piloting a mentoring programme between November ’06 and February ’07 to help you experience the benefits of working closely with another individual to develop the professional skills and focus of both.

Find out more about mentoring

Multi-disciplinary learning

Multi- disciplinary learning provides the opportunity for people to learn together, away from a more traditional sector or profession based training programme. Learning takes place across private, public, voluntary and community boundaries in order to improve collaboration in regeneration.

The South West has the oldest population structure of all the regions in England and official projections suggest that the number of residents aged over 50 will rise to 41% by 2014. We are planning a multidisciplinary learning day in February 2007. People from different disciplines and perspectives will come together to look at the opportunities and challenges surrounding the aging population - breaking down traditional barriers and creating lasting relationships.

Find out more about multi-disciplinary learning

Action learning sets

Action Learning is based on the idea that people faced with a problem learn more effectively when working together. Using the individual's experience and knowledge provides the group with greater resources than when individuals work alone. It utilises the resource of any individual, their own experience and knowledge of their work situation.

Stressed out? Stress is a major contributor to time off and to people becoming economically inactive. Communities of stressed people are unable to build any social capital and work together. Creating Excellence is piloting an Action Learning Set (ALS) to run between September and November '06 for people working in sustainable communities to tackle the issues surrounding workplace stress and together try some potential solutions.

Find out more about action learning sets

Shadowing

Shadowing provides an outstanding opportunity to see how other organisations operate within the regeneration/sustainable community environment. It offers an ideal introduction to individuals looking to develop their generic skills and understanding of the issues surrounding sustainable development. People choose shadowing to increase their skills and knowledge of a specific area such as local authority planning, community development issues or transport policy.

Shadowing is a fast and enjoyable form of work-based development. Participants spend time with people from other organisations to learn how they work. It offers insight into other cultures, management styles, pressures and professional priorities. Creating Excellence is piloting a shadowing programme between November '06 and February '07. We are looking for four people who would gain from shadowing another organisation/individual and for those who would like to act as hosts.

Find out more about shadowing

Networking

For sustainable communities to develop and thrive, a diverse group of professionals need to work effectively together. Networking is one of the most important, invaluable and essential elements in developing the skills and knowledge for those professionals. It can provide an ideal forum in which ideas, best practice and understanding can be grown and fostered.

Find out more about networking

Master classes

Master classes provide senior professionals across the public, private and voluntary sectors with access to a range of speakers at the forefront of their areas of expertise in regeneration and sustainability. The speakers will be able to provide attendees with new insights, new approaches and new challenges to consider.

Creating Excellence is piloting two masterclasses over the course of the next year. In October 06: Transformational Leadership for Sustainable Communities:
a natural step in personal development towards the cross-cutting imagination, vision and broad spectrum sophistication required to lead regeneration and sustainability programmes. And in January 07: Design for Health: We all know that our surroundings affect health and well-being. But how? We will examine and explore the relationship between health and the built environment.


Find out more about master classes

Study tours

Beginning a new sustainable communities' project or scheme can be a daunting time for both individuals and groups, especially if nothing similar has been undertaken locally. Study tours provide an ideal opportunity to overcome concerns about working in isolation, or in new areas of sustainability, by allowing people to gain direct understanding and experience of similar projects elsewhere in the UK.


We are planning a two day study tour to London in January 2007 to give regeneration and sports professionals a chance to see first hand what’s happening with the 2012 Olympics and what’s planned,
and to meet face to face with some of the people involved in legacy, business development and
volunteering programmes.


Find out more about study tours

Project visit

A project visit is an ideal way for a new project, even at the most embryonic stage, to visit a similar existing project and learn from their experiences. Meeting people from an established project will inspire and challenge you and your project, highlighting opportunities and threats which you may not have considered.

Healthy living and wellbeing are high on the sustainable communities agenda with the emphasis on local partnerships working together to reduce health inequalities and support people to keep fitter for longer. On June 23rd 2006, you will see how an area, its businesses and residents have all benefited from being a part of the successful Devon Food Links initiative. If you are committed to sustainable rural development and/or healthy living initiatives, this day is for you.

Find out more about project visits