About Us
We offer learners a range of courses which lead to the development of new skills, improved personal achievement and positive outcomes. After learning with us, you can move on to further study, qualifications, jobs and volunteering.
Family and Community Learning includes a range of online and community-based courses designed to help people of different ages and backgrounds to:
- Gain a new skill
- Reconnect with learning
- Prepare to progress to formal courses
- Learn how to support their children better
Below you can find out more about the team!
Tutors
Andrew Whiley
I joined the team in 2017 and have been teaching a range of subjects including English, maths and employability skills. I am dedicated to ensuring that all learners achieve their potential by offering a learning experience that is informative, challenging and engaging. What gives me the greatest satisfaction is seeing learners enjoying their learning experience and realising that their lives can and will improve.
Vanessa Millar
What I love about my job is watching my learners grow in confidence as they gradually believe that they can do things they never thought they could. For many of our learners, returning to any type of education is terrifying and I feel privileged that they choose our service to be their first step back into learning.
Janet Rose
As the wife of a member of the Armed Forces, I realised that I needed to find an enjoyable and rewarding career that I could move around on my many postings. I decided to re-train and have now been teaching for 20 years. My learners have included adults with learning disabilities, sensory impairments, mental health issues and job seekers. I have developed and delivered a wide range of both accredited and non- accredited courses and units. These have ranged from entry 2 to level 2 in a wide range of subjects, including English, mathematics, assertiveness and employability.
I consider myself to be a highly reflective practitioner and genuinely believe that education delivered within the community can change people’s lives.
My spare time is taken up mainly with my four grandchildren and I enjoy walking my dogs, Bunty and Ruby.
Wafa Mohamed
Jenny Ham
Business Development Team
Laura Trowbridge
I have been in the Family and Community Learning team since 2008 – and I absolutely love my job and working with such a super team!
Within Family and Community Learning, I manage the Business Development Team to ensure that the courses we offer meet our learners’ needs, and I work closely with partner organisations so that we can reach learners all across Wiltshire. I love talking about who we are and what we do! My motivation is that that our work makes a real difference in our learners’ lives.
Lucinda Murray
I enjoy my role as advising potential and existing learners about how they can improve their lives by joining a suitable course. I like to understand what else there is out there for learners. I love the challenge of searching for the right opportunities. I value and trust those who I work with. It’s fab to learn about how our courses, and progression to other courses, changes lives. Every day is different and every person is different. That’s something to celebrate!
David O'Brien
I provide administrative support to the team, and help ensure that our learners are prepared for the start of their journey with us.
Catherine Holland
I am the Family and Community Learning Funding and Compliance Co-ordinator, which means ‘I’m the one in the office’ who records all courses and enrolments to upload to the government on a monthly basis. My work is definitely “behind the scenes” but integral to the team.
Helen Edwards - Matheou
I am a Training Advisor who supports learners to find their right path with our courses. I connect with other partner organisations like schools and children’s centres to help learners to discover how our courses can help them.
Management
Rowena Prentice
I have managed the Family and Community Learning team for 5 years. My role is varied and keeps me busy but broadly speaking includes contract and performance management as well as oversight of quality and compliance. I am passionate about empowering members of Wiltshire communities to lead their best lives and achieve personal goals and aspirations. The best part of my job is hearing about the positive impact our courses have on learners and the progress they have made in their time with us.
Governors
Dominic Muns
Chair of Governors and Wiltshire Councillor for The Lavingtons, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills at Wiltshire Council.
Mandy Timbrell
Head of Employment and Skills Service at Wiltshire Council.
Rowena Prentice
Family and Community Learning Manager at Wiltshire Council.
Lucy-Anne Bryant
Lead Commissioner at Wiltshire Council.
Paul Pritchard
Service Manager – Leisure, Culture and Communities at Wiltshire Council.
Nick Holder
Wiltshire Councillor for Bowerhill and Portfolio Holder for Adults in Wiltshire Council.
Andrew Best
Head of School Effectiveness at Wiltshire Council.
Sally Cook
I am the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Employer & Partnership Manager for Swindon and Wiltshire.
I joined the DWP in 2009 working within Jobcentre Plus in operational delivery and have subsequently managed the DWP’s Support for Schools initiative for Swindon and Wiltshire and have worked within the District Provision Team, engaging with and sourcing provision from local colleges and training providers to support people in receipt of benefit. I am also the Lead on resettlement and armed forces engagement for Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and the IOW.
Prior to joining the public sector, I worked in the private sector primarily in marketing following my graduation in French and German, working within the field of complementary medicine and television, including character merchandising and assuming the role of Marketing and Merchandising Officer for the Education Unit of Television South.
I am passionate about education and life-long learning having formed a pre-school in my local village which I lead through OFSTED, chairing a local PTA and supporting my own children in their learning journeys.
Catherine Holland
I am the Family and Community Learning Funding and Compliance Co-ordinator, which means ‘I’m the one in the office’ who records all courses and enrolments to upload to the government on a monthly basis. My work is definitely “behind the scenes” but integral to the team.
Mike Holliday
I have been in the education sector for over 20 years. Working with various organisations including colleges in Bristol, Cardiff and Newbury, and held senior level posts in both national and local independent training providers.
I have a strong background in work based learning, particularly around Apprenticeship and ESF funded programmes. Currently I work closely with the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) in the region and sit on the strategic skills boards.
Additionally, I am the Co-ordinator for the ASK Apprenticeship Programme in Wiltshire, raising awareness of apprenticeships to year 10 – 13 school pupils.
Hannah Wilkins
Learner.