In the Loop – 21 Dec 2021

Hello everyone and a very Merry Christmas from all of us at Adult Learning.

I am so lucky to be working with such an amazing, supportive and skilled group of people.  I know you, our learners and supporters, would join me in thanking them for their efforts this year and send them all lovely Christmas wishes.

Of course, you, dear reader, are the reason we are all here and doing what we do. All the staff and tutors love running courses and meeting all you wonderful people, you inspire us, challenge us, and offer us your company and kindness and we feel very blessed to be on this learning journey with you all.

The world continues to be an uncertain place and like you, we wait to see if government restrictions will impact our lives and work.

Currently we are very much hoping that classes will be able to restart as planned in January and there is lots on offer if you fancy learning something new in 2022.

All the courses are listed on our website and can be booked online. For a PDF table of all the Spring courses click here.

Just a taste of what’s on offer:

• Beginners’ Spanish – Mon 1pm to 3pm from 10 January with LBSJ1
• Pastels-Mixed Ability – Mon 9.30am to 12 noon from 10 January with Roma B53B
• Drawing From The Masters – Mon 1pm to 3.30pm from 10 January with Warren B60C
• Nature Journals – Mon 10am to 12.30pm from 10 January with Andy B51B
• Reiki Healing Level 1 and Attunement – Tue 6pm to 8pm from 11 January with Elise H28C
• Pottery with Sculpture – Wed 1pm to 3.30pm from 12 January with Isobel at St Paul’s C39C
• Sewing for Complete Beginners – Thu 6pm to 9pm from 13 January with Ann C29B
• Drawing Techniques For Beginners – Animal Portrait Project – Fri 10am to 12.30pm from 14 January with Sheila B42C
• Further Your Computer Skills – Mon 10am to 12noon from 17 January with Carmel CFS6
• Garden Design – Mon 7pm to 9pm from 17 January with Jon GJW5
• Ancient Greek History, An introduction to Greek epic: Homer’s Odyssey -Tue 1pm to 3pm from 18 January with Richard HRS8
• Austrian Film Course – Wed 3.30pm to 6pm from 19 January with LGAF1
• Writers and Politics in France (18th-20th century) – held in English – Thu 1pm to 3pm from 20 January with Magali LEP4
• Body And Mind Awareness For Better Health-Taster – Thu 10am to 11am on 27 January with Stella H24C
• French Book Club – Mon 1pm to 3pm from 28 February with Albane FBC3
• Ancient Greek History, Alexander the Great – An Introduction – Wed 2pm to 4pm from 2 February with Richard HRS9

Visit WebEnrol to book your course now.

Covid update

We will be keeping a close eye on government and health advice over the Christmas break and will respond to the latest guidance.  Any updates will be posted to the main web page www.bristolcourses.com and enrolled learners will be emailed directly.

You can find lots of information about current advice and support on the Bristol city council website here.  The rise in the omicron variant is of course very worrying if you need extra support over Christmas please do contact the phone lines on the council website.

The current advice is to get a booster booked if you haven’t had one yet and to take regular Lateral Flow tests.  You can order test online or can collect a pack from many chemists and pharmacies.  Full details of where to get Lateral Flow tests can be found here.

Some Christmas fun and support

The Guardian have lots of quizzes on their website.  There is a big news quiz on 2021 – do you know your Jackie Weavers from your German leaders? You can find it here. They also have an Arts and books quiz here plus there are quizzes on Christmas songs, TV and a few for the kids – find them all here.

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the BBC Horrible histories – there Christmas quiz is available here you might even learn a suitable ‘horrible’ fact or two to share with the younger members of your family.

Some of you may be on your own over Christmas. Last year the BBC produced this short article on enjoying Christmas on your own.

If you are a Twitter user you can follow the #joinIn campaign started by comedian Sarah Millican 8 years ago, where people across the country chat to each other.

There is also a UK charity based in Bristol called the Marmalade Trust who offer advice and support for loneliness – not just at Christmas. They have lots of tips on self-care and understanding the feelings of loneliness on their website www.marmaladetrust.org

The office is open at Stoke Lodge till Wednesday lunchtime this week and we will be back in action on Tuesday 4th January. We look forward to welcoming you back to learning with us in the new year.

Once again wishing you all a peaceful and happy break.
Take care and stay safe

Kindest regards
Jenny