Learning for Living - Helping to prevent social Exclusion (report)

The report, called 'Learning for Living', calls on the Government to help older people engage with learning opportunities.

A survey for Help the Aged found that 62 per cent of older people in Northern Ireland have never attended adult education courses. Many cited fear of crime and lack of transport as barriers to taking part.   

Nearly half of those surveyed felt there is not enough information on what adult education courses are available, and a third felt that adult education courses were out of their price range .

Duane Farrell, Head of Policy, Research and Communications, says: 'Adult learning is proven to benefit health, and gives older people the opportunity a play a full part in society.

'Older people in Northern Ireland would like to learn how to stay healthy, manage their finances, and understand technology'

Our survey revaled that older people in Northern Ireland would like to learn how to stay healthy, manage their finances, and understand technology - skills that would greatly reduce the potential for isolation and exclusion from society.'

Unless people are given the opportunity to participate in learning as they grow older, the current inequalities within our society will multiply as the ageing population increases.