The Sandwell Adult and Family Learning Service (SAFL) Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick provides a rich and varied range of leaning activities for residents, including adult learning, family learning, active targeting of careers advice to at risk groups and support for apprentices, traineeships, work experience and internships.
In 2022, the Government approved £360,000 grant funding for the expansion of the Ron Davis Centre through the Smethwick Towns Fund programme. Two new classrooms were constructed and officially opened in August 2023. The centre has since enrolled over 170 learners, with 117 of them attending courses, completing courses or gaining certificates.
Hear from two learners at the Ron Davis Centre expansion:
Farzana’s story:
Farzana joined Ron Davis Centre in September 2023, the same day her youngest daughter started nursery.
She decided to return back to education after 19 years. It was something that she had wanted to do for a long time but because she had kids she had prioritised their needs first. She also thought she was she was too old but then she realised, age is just a number. Anyone can return to education.
She wanted to refresh her skills and learn something new. She also really wanted to be able to help her children with their school work and be a role model to them.
What Farzana gained whilst on the course:
“I always report back to my children with what I have learnt and they also look forward to hearing what I have learnt. Returning to education has really boosted my confidence and it’s made me become more eager to succeed in my learning journey. The centre is local to me which is really convenient. I can walk to college.
The greatest thing about returning to education as an adult is that we are all able to respect each other, whether that’s classmates or the tutors. Everyone is always ready to help you and work together. I really look forward to my classes and am always the first to arrive. I have made loads of new friends at the centre which I call my study buddies. We are always willing to help each other out.
I would like to progress further with my learning and hopefully it would lead to employment due to the new skills I have learnt.
I would like to train as a teaching assistant, to be able to help a child become successful in their learning environment too”.
Michael’s story:
Following training on resuscitation and use of AED on Friday the 19th April 2024. Michael found himself in a situation on Monday the 23rd April 2024.
He was on the number 4M bus going to West Bromwich. The bus had just pulled up by the bus stop near the new square, when a male passenger was about to exit the bus, the man collapsed on the bus. The bus driver attended to the man and assessed he was not breathing so called 999 for emergence help and started CPR (resuscitation). The ambulance control officer gave the bus driver information on where the nearest AED was and the access code.
Michael volunteered to fetch the AED, the nearest one was by Tesco supermarket. When he arrived back to the bus and the collapsed man, Michael prepped the AED and placed the pads on the man’s chest and following the AED voice prompt, Michael pressed the shock button. 1 shock and the man started to breathe again, the bus driver and Michael had saved this man’s life. The Paramedics turned up not long after to find the man sitting up, paramedics took the man to hospital to aid his recovery. Michael stayed calm throughout the incident.
Michael said “If I had not had the AED training, I would not have known what to do. This first aid course has given me the knowledge and confidence to help administer first aid”.
First aid tutor Jackie congratulated Michael for his calm actions and his willingness to help a stranger in need. She said “Everyone should learn first aid, you never know when you may need it and you could help save someone’s life, first aid is a good life skill to have whatever your age”.
Michael Phillips attending the basic First Aid Course at Ron Davis Centre.
