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<\/a>\nVerwood Connect client Sophia is finding the course is helping with her shopping<\/em><\/p>\n
Multiply is being delivered by Dorset Council\u2019s Skills and Learning Adult Education service and offers short numeracy-based courses based around everything from supporting children with schoolwork, to help with managing bills, budgeting, and cooking. Since September 2022, more than 1,500 Dorset people have signed up for the free sessions.<\/p>\n
Verwood Connect support worker Sam said: \u201cEveryone here is really engaged with the sessions and Fiona is a great tutor. Especially popular is her \u2018shopping song\u2019 which she accompanies on her guitar and gets everyone involved with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Centre Manager Sue Thorne added: \u201cMaths can be a pretty dry and unappealing subject, but being able to deal with numbers especially in terms of managing money is vital, especially for the people we support.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the many great things about Fiona\u2019s Multiply sessions is that they appeal to a wide range of ages and needs, while not being childish – they are very person-centred.<\/p>\n
\u201cFiona has actually made learning numeracy skills fun and enjoyable and we are already witnessing ways in which the sessions are helping our clients to improve their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tutor Fiona said: \u201cMultiply courses all focus on taking the scary out of numbers through relaxed, friendly sessions taught at an easy pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came into Verwood Connect not really knowing what size the group would be, or the ages or needs of the participants. But we are accustomed to tailoring our sessions to fit the group and everyone is responding well to the current mix of money games and songs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lively, lovely group of people with a lot of enthusiasm and it\u2019s very encouraging to hear that the skills they are learning are already helping them in their everyday lives.\u201d<\/p>\n