Libraries have long been seen as quiet sanctuaries for reading, but they are also community spaces that foster curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning, making them an essential part of modern education beyond the traditional classroom. Corinth Training have long used Salford Libraries as a venue for teaching and we sat down with founders Paul and Janet about how this partnership brings together people of all ages and backgrounds in pursuit of learning.
Corinth is a community learning provider. A social enterprise that we set up in 2014 but only became active in 2016 and has been providing a service to the city since. As Corinth continued to develop, we were fortunate to build a partnership with Salford libraries where former head of service, Chris Farey, and current Head of Service Hannah Quinlan have continued to see the value of Corinth as a service.
It has taken a strong network of partners to be able to continue to deliver classes and we are always looking to foster new relationships with other community providers and work collaboratively, and I can say we could not have achieved what we have without the support of SCL.
Libraries are easy to get to for starters, but more importantly libraries are synonymous with community. It is a safe and neutral space to come to.
Also, from the scheduling side we use our referral letters to help shape the geographic demand for courses and libraries are central to those locations.
Our partnership with libraries is invaluable. We have built a relationship with library staff where they can see the value in the offer we provide to the community. Everyone goes the extra mile to help, and we could not do what we do without libraries.
Some of our learners had never been to a library before joining one of our courses, so for them it has opened their eyes to all that the library has to offer, as a minimum free Wi-Fi. The library has opened pathways to our learners, supported independence and community cohesion.
Libraries are also a safe and welcoming space. We always actively encourage learners to join as a way of building confidence and increasing access to information and services. From books, magazines, events, and people. The library is full of pleasant surprises.
We find a lot of our learners had a negative experience of formal education so we take them on a journey as they learn in a space where they can build confidence and are encouraged to explore. As they build that familiarity with the library by coming in regularly for classes, they show a willingness to access the service more directly.
Come and join the Corinth family. We treat everyone as an individual. Sometimes people come in and will say something like “I’m not good at this” and we are able to reassure them. Our courses are delivered in a relaxed and informal environment. We believe everyone at any age has the right to learn for free.
Many of our learners have gone on to apply the skills they have built with us to real life scenarios and actively volunteer for the community and secure paid employment. We also encourage them practice those skills in class and at home or in the library. We have several partners including the job centre, mental health services and other community services. People come to learn with us for different reasons.
Janet – I read every night; it helps to switch off after a long day of teaching. I am currently reading Fast Like a Girl by Mindy Pelz, which focuses on menopause, health and well-being. I would also recommend A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke
Paul – Absolutely and there is one book that I would recommend to everyone ‘The 5 People You Meet in Heaven’ by Mich Albom and I recently read Light Over Liskeard by Louis de Berniѐres.
For more information about Corinth training and to get in touch, you can find them online via the website Corinth Training or their social media channels: Facebook | Linkedin | X |
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