About the Campaign for Learning

About the Campaign for Learning and Findcourses.co.uk

What is the Campaign for Learning?

The Campaign for Learning, often shortened to CfL, is a national charity that conducts research, develops policies, and campaigns to engage more people in learning.

In a nutshell, the Campaign for Learning aims to improve social inclusion by putting learning at the heart of society and creating a culture of lifelong learning. The campaigning and work that the CfL conducts is based on years of research that shows that lifelong learners are more likely to be happier, healthier, have better jobs, contribute more to society and live longer and more fulfilled lives.

History of the Campaign for Learning

Initially established in 1995, the Campaign for Learning was originally created as an RSA (the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce). After only a couple of years, the initiative proved to have big potential and became an independent charity in November 1997. From the beginning, the CfL has had one clear goal, to raise awareness, promote and champion the cause for lifelong learning. By no means an easy remit for a small national organisation, the Campaign has always prided itself on ‘punching above its weight’and finding creative ways of meeting this challenge.

Part of the success of the Campaign for Learning's projects is thanks to the support of a range of organisations, foundations, and funding bodies. Furthermore, the Campaign for Learning has built strong partnerships with a range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations, all dedicated to developing a learning society.

The Campaign for Learning's work

Since it was created, the CfL has been campaigning for an inclusive society in which learning is valued, understood, wanted and widely available to every individual. The goal for the campaigners has been to create a positive, vibrant image of learning in a way that people can easily see the benefitsof how it can improve their lives. As well as banishing the common conception of learning as dry and boring, the Campaign works to develop such a hunger for learning that there is a public demand for stimulating, user-friendly learning opportunities that suit everyone's lifestyle.

Although involved in a large range of projects, the main activities that the Campaign works with are campaigning and awareness-raising, supporting & developing practitioners, undertaking innovative research & delivery projects and influencing policy development. The Campaign's work is often as a catalyst or partner in helping to effect change. It acts as a facilitator to stimulate debate on policy, improve practice and make the system effective, accessible and engaging for learners.

Working to create positive change in society, the Campaign's work helps to build motivation, create opportunities and provide support for learning in families and communities, workplaces and schools. Key areas that the Campaign works with are national promotion campaigns, projects, policy and advocacy, practitioner networks, research, events, consultancy and publications.

The Campaign for Learning has built partnerships with a range of bodies have helped tailor their work to meet both regional and local needs. Partners are wide ranging, and include the TUC and Investors in People UK as well as local community action groups and businesses. The Campaign supports pioneering work with families, in schools and workplaces.

The Campaign for Learning's projects

Family Learning
Learning to Learn in Schools and Colleges
Learning in the Workplace

'Family Learning' project

The Campaign for Learning's 'Family Learning' project identifies that learning starts at home with the family. The Campaign works to build motivation, create opportunities and provide support for learning in families. Key elements of our work in this area are national Family Learning Festival, policy and advocacy, publications, events, projects and research.

‘Learning to Learn in Schools’ project

The ‘Learning to Learn in Schools’ project explores differing approaches to creating confident, effective lifelong learners, working with pioneering schools across England. The Campaign works to help and support schools in trying out new approaches to classroom management, teaching & learning and assessment.

'Learning at Work' project

The Campaign for Learning's 'Learning at Work' project helps employers and employees benefit from learning in the workplace to create a skilled, motivated and competitive workforce for british businesses. The Campaign supports a wide range of workplace learning areas including skills for life in local authorities, sharing good practice in centres of Vocational Excellence and learning champions in small and medium-sized enterprises. The main initiatives include National Learning at Work Week and the National Workplace Learning Network.