Over 3000 people benefit from free numeracy courses in Stoke-on-Trent
Over 3,000 people from Stoke-on-Trent have benefited from free courses aimed at tackling numeracy confidence.
Stoke By Numbers is part of the government-funded Multiply programme, which since 2022, has provided free and flexible training to 3065 adults across Stoke-on-Trent.
The programme has been led by Stoke on Trent College alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council and delivery partners, Potteries Money Wise, Acacia Training, Landau and Acorn Training.
Courses were tailored to give learners better ways to manage money, plus improve their career prospects by being more number confident and as a knock-on effect, help children with homework or budget for special occasions like holidays and Christmas.
Stoke By Numbers has also seen 27 National Numeracy Champions trained during its duration, ensuring the legacy of the programme will continue for years to come.
Other highlights of the campaign include two pop-up events with the Stoke By Numbers bus in 2024, which gave local people in both Hanley and Longton town centres the opportunity to find out more about numeracy courses, plus ask any questions to course providers.
Someone who has benefited from Stoke By Numbers is Jamee Ann Fisher, who felt her struggles with numeracy were holding her back from pursuing a career in Accounting, plus helping her children with school work.
Jamee said:
“My number confidence has grown dramatically. I learnt so much on how I can now support my children with their homework, as the numeracy approach has changed so much since I was at school.”
Hassan Rizvi, Principal and CEO at Stoke on Trent College, said:
“Stoke on Trent College is proud to have led the marketing campaign for Stoke By Numbers and also be a delivery partner. Throughout the project, ourselves and the other delivery partners have provided people from Stoke-on-Trent with a platform to improve their numeracy skills, which will benefit them in all walks of life.
“We’ve shown that a lack of confidence with numbers is nothing to be ashamed of, and with the courses offered we can improve outcomes for adults in the city.
“According to participant feedback, over a third will progress now to a formal accredited maths course to continue to develop their skills.”
Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“It’s pleasing to see so many residents benefitting from Stoke by Numbers and getting on the path to increasing their confidence in numeracy.
“These skills are vital when completing daily tasks – whether it’s DIY, cooking, shopping or budgeting, maths is used in so many aspects of everyday life.
“To hear that so many people have been overcoming these barriers and becoming more confident with their numeracy is a resounding success that will only improve outcomes across Stoke-on-Trent.”
Find out more about Stoke By Numbers.
