Keighley College students are being offered the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime, fully funded work experience adventure in the United States.

We have teamed up with Camp America to secure the opportunity for up to 90 adult students.

All travel, accommodation and living costs will be covered on the trip, which is designed to hone students’ employability skills while giving them a taste of a different culture and the chance to make new friends.

While working for Camp America – supported, whenever needed, by guidance from a mentor – students will have the chance to become a role model for the children they are looking after.

Participants need to be 18 years old or over and will have the option of extending their stay, by up to 30 days, to further explore the US after they have completed their nine week placement.

To find out more about the offer click here. A snapshot of what life on a Camp America placement is like, meanwhile, can be found here.

Today marks the start of LGBTQ+ History Month, an annual celebration and remembrance of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + others) community.

LGBTQ+ History Month has been an annual celebration in the UK since 2005, however, the month was founded in the US after Rodney Wilson, the first openly gay teacher in Missouri, originated the idea.

The importance of LGBTQ+ History Month 

With a lack of education and awareness, members of the LGBTQ+ community still face prejudice today. The overall aims of this month are to promote equality and diversity for the LGBTQ+ community, to acknowledge and value their contributions to society, and most importantly; to ensure they feel safe and accepted. 

Achievements of the LGTBQ+ community can often be overlooked; it’s important to carry on educating those on the sacrifices made by the community which led to milestones such as the Sexual Offences Act 1967.

Although there have been huge milestones for the LGBTQ+ community there is still a great deal of work to be done to move towards social justice, fairness and inclusion. 

What is the theme for this year? 

This year’s theme is Politics in Art: “The Arc is Long” which is inspired by a Martin Luther King quote: ‘The Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.’ 

Some of the LGBTQ+ artists featured in this year’s theme are Keith Haring with his dancing figures, which were used to draw attention to the growing AIDS crisis of the early 1980s. Graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was also significant in the ‘80s for his neo-expressionist paintings. 

How you can be an ally

Being an LGBTQ+ ally is about helping to create an inclusive environment where people can feel safe and be themselves around you. 

If you are a straight ally, here are some of the ways you can help improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people everywhere.

Familiarise yourself with the terms 

Educating yourself with the correct terminology and pronouns is a simple but crucial step in becoming an ally. Take note of what words a person uses to describe themselves and their sexual orientation and gender identity, using the correct terms and pronouns is being respectful to those around you.  

Stonewall has created a Stonewall glossary of terms for you to learn and begin to familiarise yourself with.

Expanding your reading and watch list with cultural content is also an easy step but an important way of learning about LGBTQ+ history and LGBTQ+ existence today.

Show your support

A good way to show support is to engage with charities and events in your local community. 

Cliffe Castle has the Keighley Pride patchwork flag up on display which was created over lockdown in 2021. On 25 February, they will be doing a Sew Keighley Pride Flag and  Just a Ball Game LGBTQ+ History Month special. This will involve a discussion and Q&A with organisers from Sew Keighley Pride and Just A Ball Game, an anti-discrimination in sports campaign. For more information click here. 

Bradford City FC will be hosting an LGBTQ+ Convention at the Utilita Energy Stadium on 19 February as well as giving out free tickets for the club’s home matches for LGBTQ+ groups during February. 

There are also small LGBTQ+ businesses out there to show support to, this can be done by sharing their social media on your own accounts or if you can afford to, purchasing something from them. 

Celebrating at college 

Keighley College is celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month in a variety of ways this year, stay tuned on our socials to find out more. 

On the 1 February at 12pm, some of the staff and students will be attending a Progress Pride Flag raising event to mark LGBTQ+ History Month which will remain in place in the Town Hall Square for the whole month of February. The Town Mayor, Cllr Julie Adams, will be raising the flag and invites anyone to join the event. 

LGBTQ+ support

If you are struggling with mental health or just want to chat, there is plenty of support available.

Keighley College’s LGBTQ+ Society provides a safe space for those who identify as LGBTQ+ to be fully themselves without fear of judgement, criticism or discrimination. The society also welcomes straight allies who are encouraged to attend events. 

If you’d like to get involved, visit the page on the Students’ Union page to see what’s going on. 

The Yorkshire MESMAC is a sexual health organisation that offer a range of services for  members of the public across Leeds, Bradford, Rotherham and Hull. They offer a range of mental health and wellbeing services, including counselling, one-to-one support,  group sessions and training as well as LGBTQ+ support groups. 

Mindline Trans+ is an emotional and mental health support helpline for anyone identifying as transgender, non-binary, genderfluid. 

Keighley College is providing a lifeline to the local community by offering free haircuts and manicures for unemployed individuals who have upcoming interviews.

Aspiring student hairdressers and barbers will be providing the service until the end of June, in a bid to support locals in boosting their confidence before attending an interview.

Ashleigh Taleb, Salon Technician at Keighley College, said: “We’re dedicated to going to great lengths to empower our community to achieve great things. We appreciate how difficult the pandemic has been, resulting in many being furloughed and unemployed. Our professional Hair and Beauty Level 2 and 3 students will be on hand to lift community spirit by cutting hair and offering manicures.”

To book an appointment, individuals who live locally can visit or call the salon on 01535 685 030 or send a message through Facebook or Instagram. Anyone receiving a free haircut or manicure will need to bring along an offer email or letter for the interview.

The salon will be operating in line with Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing face coverings and using sanitising stations.

Keighley College will host the town’s first ever TEDx talk on 24 February at its Bradford Road campus.

Taking place from 9am until 6pm, the college will be welcoming guest speakers from a variety of sectors including health, technology, entrepreneurship, and marketing. TEDx is an international community that organises TED-style events across the globe, celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage.

TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, with each event curating speakers on their own based on TED’s format and rules.

Kevin O’Hare, principal at Keighley College, said: “We are delighted to be bringing together speakers to share their views on a range of subjects that will inspire and engage our students and the wider community.

“This is an opportunity to raise the profile of Keighley and introduce the community to a range of exciting opportunities to expand their horizons and mindsets, as well as hear from like-minded experts in their fields who share their thinking and ideas that will lead to growth in the town and its surrounding areas.”

The overall theme for Keighley’s TEDx is ‘life chances’. The event will take into account the unprecedented experiences and stories that the world – and the Keighley district – has faced in light of the pandemic.

Speakers will include leaders from around Keighley who will cover topics such as mental health and wellbeing, start-ups and sustainability, positive marketing and more.

Tim Rogers, Founder of Future Transformations that runs TEDx, said: “Keighley has a rich history with the globally recognised Bronte Parsonage, Keighley Worth Valley Railway, manufacturing businesses and engineering businesses continuing to be the town’s bread and butter.

“Hosting it at Keighley College makes sense. Not only is it recognisable, it’s also important to highlight the college’s role in the town and its significance in shaping the minds, characters and skills of the workforce.”

Tim added that diversity of the town is key and that by representing the people of the town with their experiences, culture, and backgrounds, it would also showcase the town’s inclusiveness and commitment to building a better, stronger, and sustainable community.

“Keighley needs to bring together all of its assets, communities, educators and businesses to make it a sustainable place to live and work and I believe the town has the capacity, intellectual authority and motivation to become a successful, prosperous place which welcomes new ideas, business and education.”

The flagship TED Conference is held annually on the North American West Coast. The breadth of content includes science, business, the arts, technology, and global issues.

The event is free to attend, and the college would like to welcome businesses and members of the community to join. 100 tickets are available and can be obtained by sending an email to info@futuretransformation.org.

29 apprentices from Keighley College have been acknowledged for their determination and hard work throughout the pandemic at the annual Milner Awards.

Sponsored by Keighley Training Consortium, the awards celebrate the achievements of first year apprentices on the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) programme at the college.

For the first time in the award’s history, all learners received special recognition for their resilience and commitment throughout the pandemic. 

Ronnie Magee, Deputy Head of Technology, said: “We wanted to celebrate each and every apprentice in this year’s awards, as they have all remained engaged and focused, despite the fact they had to learn during two extensive lockdown periods. 

“The students have all been motivated to excel with the programme and achieve their qualifications while studying remotely, which has been challenging for many. These awards are a fantastic demonstration of the impact that working with local businesses can have on the next generation of talented apprentices.”

William Jowitt, director of Keighley Training Consortium and member of the supervisory board of the AME, added: “All of these pioneering apprentices deserve to be celebrated this year; they act as an essential cog in the area’s economic machine and are central to Airedale’s growth. To witness all 29 students receiving recognition for their efforts was a very proud moment for the community.”

The award ceremony took place on Wednesday 1 December at the college’s higher education lecture theatre.

Each apprentice received a socket set and digital callipers for their hard work during Covid-19.

Switching careers is never easy, and often takes real determination. Adult learner, Jodie Parker, built up the courage to pursue a different role at 24 years old after working as a support worker for many years.

Jodie decided to change lanes to chase a career in social work, after realising her passion for making a positive change to people’s lives and supporting individuals with mental health difficulties.

Making a change

Seven years’ experience as a support worker gave Jodie insight into rehabilitation in mental health, which spurred her on to change paths to become a social worker.

“I’ve worked a lot with individuals who struggle with mental health challenges; being able to support and advise them has been something that has really motivated me. Helping people improve their quality of life is such a privilege to me, and I believe that becoming a social worker can support my journey in doing this for more members of my community.

“I appreciate that social work can be a difficult profession, however it’s also incredibly rewarding to know that you can make a difference to an individual’s life or provide a family with the support they need.”

Taking the next step

With a career in social work in mind, Jodie embarked on a new journey at Keighley College to study Access to Higher Education in Social Care Diploma Level 3.

“Returning to college as an adult was daunting at first, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. The course is challenging, however my tutors give me fantastic support and my peers are so encouraging; we always uplift each other in class.

“I’ve learnt that I am capable of a lot more than I give myself credit for. Although it’s been challenging to study this course and work at the same time, I’ve managed to achieve distinctions and positive feedback for my work. The key to success is finding a balance and perfecting time management skills.”

Sights set on higher education

When Jodie completes the course, she’s hoping to study at university to pursue her dream career.

“I’m so pleased that I decided to take the step to go back to college; the prospect of university is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to progress.”

Keighley College is marking the countdown to Christmas with its annual reverse advent calendar for families in need this winter.

In its fourth year, the calendar reaches out to members of the community who may be struggling during the festive season. Staff and students contribute useful items such as tinned goods, gloves, scarfs and toiletries for vulnerable families, individuals and food banks in the area. 

Tracey Turner, Student Relations Officer at Keighley College, said: “This annual collection is a great opportunity to give back to the community. As many of us look forward to the Christmas period, we must think about those disadvantaged families who often find this time difficult.

“We have a key role to play in supporting those people who need it most, and it’s humbling to see how many students and staff are making contributions to the calendar. The initiative also gives students an insight into food poverty and showcases the importance of helping others.”

Each box on the display will be filled and at the end of term, the contents of the calendar are distributed.

Are you looking to develop a skill and learn something new? 

This year, we’re inviting adults aged 19 and over to come into college to discover our range of subjects, as part of the Festival of Learning.

Festival of Learning

The Festival of Learning is a national campaign which celebrates lifelong learning for adults. 

The festival’s mission is to demonstrate the benefits of adult learning and raise awareness across the country. Some of the key reasons to engage in adult learning include:

• Wellbeing: Wellbeing is at the heart of adult learning, enabling learners to meet new people and improve self-esteem.
• Flexibility: Adult education can be a flexible service that accommodates other commitments, such as families and jobs.
• Opportunities: There are adult learner providers across the district that can offer personalised and specialised learning experiences.
• Confidence: Lifelong learning enriches the lives of learners, providing them with better opportunities and the ability to adapt to unexpected changes.

Take part in our Have a Go Fortnight

If you’re interested in adult learning, but aren’t sure which course is for you, why not come down to college and get a taste of our diverse curriculum areas?

Our Have a Go Fortnight will be running from 1 to 12 November at Keighley College.

Over these two weeks, we’re inviting all adults across the region to learn something new, enhance employability and improve wellbeing through our bespoke adult taster sessions.

Book on these sessions using this link. Our available taster sessions include:

• 1 November: Media Makeup Taster from 11.30am to 12.30pm
• 2 November: Motor Vehicle – Check a Wheel and Change Tire Pressure from 10am to 11am
• 3 November: Health and Social Care – First Aid CPR from 11am to 12pm
• 5 November: Construction – Joinery from 10am to 11am
• 5 November: Plumbing – Removing a Radiator from 11am to 12pm
• 8 November: Hair – Hair Up with Ornamentation from 1.30pm to 2.30pm
• 9 November: Sports – Fitness Testing from 11am to 12pm
• 10 November: National Careers Service – Discover Your Personality Type from 10am to 11am

Ongoing events

As part of the Festival of Learning, we’re working with local partners across the district to deliver programmes and events that develop the skills and support the mental health and wellbeing of adults.

Discover our upcoming events here.

Community-centered learning is a pillar of adult education. This informal approach to learning offers adults a relaxed and inclusive environment, while giving them the opportunity to integrate with members of the community.

As part of the Festival of Learning; a national campaign which celebrates lifelong learning, we’re shining a spotlight on key community centres which inspire and empower individuals in the area.

Bangladeshi Community Association

This month, we’re taking a look at the Bangladeshi Community Association; a Keighley-based non-profit organisation which aims to better the lives of the Bangladeshi and local residents by providing services, activities and events.

Keen to make a lasting imprint on the community, the centre’s staff and volunteers work with members of the community and local organisations to improve and develop the area, as well as voicing the views of the Bangladeshi community.

Collaboration with Keighley College

As part of the collaborative work undertaken with Keighley College, each week two teachers from the college visit the centre to teach maths, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), reflexology and exercise for women.

Sam Stelling, Community-led Learning Development Tutor at Keighley College, commented on the work done with the centre: “We’re committed to building bridges between our college and the community centres by showcasing the many benefits of lifelong learning. So far, our classes have had some great engagement; it’s fantastic to see adults, especially women, of all ages engaging in fun learning activities. Some progress into college where they can access further courses and others benefit from dropping into the college based Skills Lab, which they use for one-to-one support in personal development and employability.

“From 20 September, we’ll be introducing new courses including teaching assistant, DIY for women and African drumming. As many of the members find the prospect of college intimidating, our role is to bring stimulating learning experiences to them where they feel most comfortable.

“The work I do with the Bangladeshi Community Association is extremely rewarding; the connections I’ve made and the lasting friendships I’ve seen blossom has been wonderful. We now want to spread the word about this centre, the value it adds to the community and encourage adults to find out more.”

Shining a light on the centre

The four-strong centre team is made up of the centre manager, administrator, citizens advice consultant and a facilities manager.

We caught up with Hajera Ansari, who is the centre administrator and receptionist at the centre.

“The centre acts as a focal point for the Bangladeshi community, offering support, guidance and helping people to become more independent. As well as offering various classes, such as basic skills, sewing and exercise, we run an advice centre which helps individuals with issues such as benefits, immigration, jobs, translation and form filling. 

“Community centres are vital for improving adults’ wellbeing; they have the opportunity to improve their skills which will benefit them in the future. These environments also help adults feel comfortable in a place which is familiar to them, allowing them to build relationships and become more confident and independent.

“A lot of the centre users see it as a second home, where they can make a real difference to their lives by learning different skills, engaging with a diverse range of people and enhancing their knowledge.”

Shelina Khanom, Keighley-resident who studied Foundation Studies at Keighley College, commented: “I used to go to the sewing classes at Bangladeshi Community Association, which allowed me to learn new skills. 

“I have now started to do the exercise and maths classes with Sam; it’s great fun and has really boosted my confidence.”

Find out more about the Bangladeshi Community Centre here.