Posted on: Wednesday 22 May 2024
A programme that has helped more than 300 people to improve their numeracy confidence celebrates its first anniversary this National Numeracy Day.
Torfaen Council’s Multiply project offers a wide range of numeracy support for children, adults and families including Cooking on a Budget, Number Tots parent and toddler group, Maths for Parents, Family Fit and qualifications including maths GCSEs.
Joanne and Lizzy Marsh, a mother and daughter from Cwmbran, recently completed a cooking themed workshop, which allowed them to become more supermarket savvy, enhance their basic maths skills, and improve their culinary skills.
Joanne said, "We were recommended Multiply and have enjoyed getting out of the house and meet new people. We have found it rewarding and it’s had a positive change on our overall confidence, and as a result will be attending another Multiply Kitchen Academy course to gain an accreditation. We hope to join many future courses too”
Multiply is a UK Government funded programme aimed at improving people’s confidence with numeracy.
To mark its first anniversary on Wednesday, the Torfaen Multiply team held a series of workshops at Coed Eva Primary School, Mount Pleasant Hall and Croesyceiliog Education Centre in Cwmbran.
Hannah Bedford, Multiply Delivery and Engagement Manager, explains, “Our main focus is to create enjoyable activities which allow our learners to make sense of common maths challenges that occur in everyday life. This includes daily life skills such as managing money, preparing food, playing music, keeping healthy, DIY projects, and many more.”
Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration, said,: “This programme has something to offer everyone, whether you enjoy maths and want to explore it further, or lack confidence in your numeracy skills but want to support your children to do well with maths.
“It is also a key part of our commitment to supporting children, young people and families to improve their education and qualifications so they can achieve their goals.”
You can test your numeracy knowledge on the confidential numeracy checker here.
For more information about the upcoming activities and courses you can achieve through Multiply, contact the team on 01633 647743, email multiply@torfaen.gov.uk, or visit the Torfaen Council website.