Background
Lairg and District Learning Centre was set up as a charity in 2001 to meet a demand for learning at local level. The disused school house was renovated and opened in April 2004. Since then, our learner numbers and our range of classes and workshops have expanded year-on-year. Through the pandemic we adapted our way of working and we now deliver a variety of classes and learning in-person, digitally and blended and deliver to communities across Sutherland as well as internationally. The types of learning we deliver vary from structured and accredited courses such as First Aid and employability support through to languages, growing and cooking, felting and sewing, health and wellbeing and everything in between. We exist as a result of our communities and we do our best to put on a wide and interesting variety of courses for everyone.
As an independent centre we receive no core funding. We rely on grant funding as our main income source which we supplement with generating income from our courses and room hires and fundraising activities. We are grateful to all of our funders, past and present, as well as our supporters who have given us their time or have donated money or items to help us.
The organisation is run by a team of staff team consisting of full and part-time permanent and project staff supported by a bank of freelance tutors and dedicated volunteers. It is governed by a Board of Directors with considerable local expertise who give up so much of their time and passion to support the team to deliver learning. All of our Directors act in a voluntary capacity. The organisation is registered as a Scottish Charity a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Our Values
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Participation and empowerment
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Equality for all
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Self-development
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Community engagement
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Ethical behaviour
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Co-operation between enterprises
Our aims
To provide or assist in providing local facilities and resources designed to support lifelong learning and skills development.
To raise awareness of the benefits of lifelong learning and stimulate demand.
To develop pathways that encourage and allow local people to meet their potential.
To support a network of freelance tutors capable of delivering high quality learning at local level.
To promote the benefits of social enterprise for the community.
To move towards increased sustainability.
To foster a progressive learning environment among staff, directors, volunteers and learners.
Our objectives
To develop and deliver a high quality programme of learning and promote it throughout Sutherland.
To attract funding that will enable us to offer courses and workshops at subsidised or no cost for those unable to afford standard fees.
To raise a proportion of income through fee paying courses, room hire and service delivery contracts.
To build capacity in the local business community by offering targeted and bespoke training.
To help local people into jobs.
To support a network of freelance tutors in delivering quality local learning.