Bite-Sized Learning

Venue: 11 Gwent Shopping Centre, Tredegar
Time: Starts 7th June: every Thursday 10am - 3pm for 6 weeks

This course provides students with the film-making skills necessary for effective reporting on Community matters. The focus is on using video as a tool for community development and to capture local issues and stories that can be shared with the community. Students who successfully complete this module will be able to qualify for Silver membership of the Institute of Community Reporters and post their work on their website as well as preparing contributions for local media and their own personal use. Embedded within this programme is a strong element of transferable skills development that will support students seeking employment and progression to further study.

20 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: Learning Action Centre, Brynmawr
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Cognitive Behavioural techniques have been identified as the Government’s preferred approach to counselling. This course considers the approaches, major themes, contributors and concepts, its limitations, and key methods and techniques.

20 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: Learning Action Centre, Brynmawr
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course will introduce you to the relationship between popular fiction and literature. You will discuss relevant theories underpinning the academic study of popular fiction. The notions of ‘Great Works’, creativity, genre, standardisation and audience are considered and you will be asked to respond creatively as well as critically to the subject matter studied and write your own piece of genre fiction.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course is intended to remove the mystery that can surround financial management and furnish you with skills and strategies to interact successfully in the financial world we are all part of. Awareness and empowerment are key to this highly practical course where gaps in knowledge can often lead to fear and failure to address basic money management issues. The overall aim of the course is to empower participants to pro-actively take charge of their own finances and consider the impact of financial issues on the social world around them.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Britain and Ireland are viewed by the rest of the world as the great moorland countries and these vast, open places are amongst our most important and iconic cultural landscapes. This course examines their evolution, making extensive use of local case studies to understand how geology, climate and people have influenced their development.

*Please note that a level of general IT skills is required to undertake this course.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This programme of study provides an introduction to computer rendered three dimensional graphics, its history and its uses. With a focus on the development of an understanding of modern day tracing technologies, theories and methods, you will gain an understanding and practical experience of developing high quality prerendered scenes, within the framework of explicit design specifications.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: 11 Gwent Shopping Centre, Tredegar
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Through a series of practical tasks and exercises, this course introduces those who have a basic understanding of computers to develop their knowledge and understanding of word processors, presentation tools, spreadsheets and desktop publishing.

20 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: Ebbw Vale Institute
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

What is Social Media? How has it evolved and how important is it today? This course aims to understand the evolution and principles of ‘social media’, looking at its current forms both on-line and mobile.

You will look at current social media networks and technologies, including the observation and analysis of chatting and listening processes, as well as how these are exploited through advertising, design and marketing strategies. The course will also highlight individuals, artists, entrepreneurs and businesses who have all been successful through the application of Social media.

During this course you will also look at web based social media; including its place in the development of the internet, and also examples of good and bad practice; identifying creative uses of the technologies through strategies and campaigns. You will also look towards the future with developing technologies.

10 credits, level 4

 

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course introduces you to the schools of Social and Developmental Psychology. It offers an overview of the subject areas and provides insight into explanations of how we become who we are and the complex interplay between our environments, personalities and experiences.

20 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: 11 Gwent Shopping Centre, Tredegar
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Crime is one of the most controversial and intriguing topics prevalent in our society. This course explores psychological explanations on the causes of criminal behaviour, considering such questions as whether there is such a thing as being born criminal and explanations on how individuals develop a sense of right and wrong.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: The Innovation Centre, Ebbw Vale
Time: Wednesdays 3-6pm starting 1st May (8 week course)

Understanding what makes a healthy organisation, with healthy employees who are functioning at their best, is the overall aim of this course. Regardless of what level you are employed at, or the organisational context within which you work, evaluating organisational processes and culture which can promote a healthy working environment is crucial. This course deals with current research and practice in defining what is meant by ‘Healthy Organisations’, identifying where responsibilities lie in terms of maintaining a healthy workforce, designing and evaluating interventions which might be used to reduce stress, promote resilience and take preventative actions on some of the ill health issues that employees might face.
 
Successful completion of the course assessments will give you 20 credits towards the Certificate, Diploma or MSc in Business Psychology postgraduate programme which runs at the University of Wales, Newport’s Caerleon Campus.

20 credits, level 7
 

Download an application form

Venue: Hospice of the Valleys, Tredegar
Time: 2.5 day course: 23rd May 1.30-4pm; 6th & 13th June 9am-4.30pm

This course is for registered Healthcare professionals, and will provide you with an introduction to palliative and end of life care. The principles and practice of the palliative care approach are explored, along with developments in end of life care and its utilisation into everyday practice. The course will help you to develop knowledge and skills necessary to effectively care for clients and families receiving palliative care, as well as focussing on the important role of the multidisciplinary team and interagency collaboration.

The patient and family journey will be explored from diagnosis to end of life care recognising that death is an inevitable part of the palliative care process and issues pertinent to this will be explored. You will be introduced to the principles and practice of caring for individuals faced with life threatening, life limiting illnesses irrespective of their diagnosis. The importance of using evidence based practice whilst acknowledging the wide diversity of patients will be examined.

For further information and/or application form contact the Hospice of the Valleys on 01495 717 277 or email enquiries@hospiceofthevalleys.com

*Pre-requisite: students must be registered Healthcare professionals to attend this course.
Charges apply.

10 credits, level 5

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: 3 day course - 11th June, 9th July & 13th Aug

This course is designed to equip individuals working in healthcare with the fundamental skills required to provide supervision to others. The individuals supported may be within your own organisation or in other organisations and, may work at the same level as yourself. This course is not about line management or direct supervision, it does however take account of the needs of those who regularly offer support and supervision to those in the workplace.
 
Students enrolled on the NMC approved preregistration education programme, leading to registration on the nursing/midwifery part of the register, must be supported and assessed by suitably qualified mentors and all registered staff are bound by their code regarding supervision and mentorship. Whilst
this is a ‘ring fenced’ professionally recognised area, there is clear evidence to show that other supervision in the workplace is required and does indeed take place, involving unregistered healthcare support workers, supervising each other .

‘Employers should ensure each Healthcare Support Worker has a named workplace supervisor to monitor their progress towards achieving all the standards in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Worker.’ The Code of Practice for NHS Wales’ employers 2011

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course equips students with the necessary skills required to successfully produce fit for purpose academic pieces of work that meet university requirements. The skills learned which include essay and report writing, research skills and how to reference your work and build your critical thinking techniques, are transferable within academia and the workplace. You will also learn strategies for time and stress management and how to reflect on your progress as a learner and university student.

10 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: The Hanger, Aberbargoed
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course provides an introduction to leadership and management processes. Topics covered include consideration of individual and group dynamics and how these impact upon how managers and leaders can shape behaviour towards meeting organisational objectives. Effective leadership and team building and the role of leaders in shaping organisational culture are considered as are the roles of creative thinking and problem solving and how these can be encouraged by managers and leaders.

10 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: Innovation Centre for Enterprise, Britannia House
Time: Starts: 24th July 2013. 10 workshops - morning or afternoon courses available.

UHOVI is pleased to be working with 2Win Consulting to offer this short course designed to help local businesses to become more effective at networking.

The course is suitable for sales people, business owners, entrepreneurs and business development executives who have grown weary of time and cost-intensive lead acquisition and cold calling.  You will learn how to dramatically improve sales prospecting efficiency with proven referral marketing approaches.

A series of 10 interactive workshops will enable you to understand the concept of developing strategic referral relationships and you will formulate an action plan to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

Special introductory offer: £220.00 (+VAT)

20 credits Level 4. *Subject to validation.

To book your place, visit: http://tinyurl.com/cb7djst

Download an application form

Venue: Bargoed Library
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The course offers an opportunity to consider in some depth the main themes in Humanistic
counselling theory. It identifies and contrasts differing therapeutic techniques and studies the key elements of the approach, its strengths and limitations, and the development and practice of Transactional Analysis.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blackwood Miners' Institute
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The course introduces you to poetic forms and their development over time, with a clear focus on the nature of poetic language and the development of understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of poetry. A range of poetic forms are considered in terms of techniques and effects, before you move on to apply this learning in order to draft, write and discuss your own poems, and to discover your own voice in experimenting with different types of form.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Van Centre
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course provides an overview and introduction to the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behaviour. It considers how definitions of crime and criminality are culturally determined and vary over time and considers controversies associated with policing, sentencing and incarceration.

20 credits, level 4
 

Download an application form

Venue: Oxford House, Risca
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course introduces you to the schools of Social and Developmental Psychology. It offers an overview of the subject areas and provides insight into explanations of how we become who we are and the complex interplay between our environments, personalities and experiences.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: White Rose Information & Resource Centre, New Tredegar
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The subject of psychology and its therapeutic application can often be over-associated with mental illness and what treatments can be given to make people “normal” again. This course introduces you to theories on the nature and causes of mental illness and the role of positive psychology for health and wellbeing.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Oxford House, Risca
Time: Thursdays 6.15-8.15pm starting 11th April (6 week course)

This short course aims to introduce you to the Welsh legislation, policies and procedures needed to work within the field of Social Work. Topics covered will include National Occupational Standards and the Code of Practice for social care workers along with values and ethics. You will also learn about the pathways available to further study, and qualification and registration with the Care Council for Wales.

The role of a Social Worker within the social welfare arena will be highlighted, including values, ethics and activities, sometimes using case studies to highlight these. You will also study the responsibilities of a Social Worker, including policy, legislation and various work disciplines that are undertaken within statutory, independent as well as voluntary sectors.

Weeks 5 and 6 will be directed study for assignment  completion with online tutor support. 

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: Starting Weds 15th May 2013, 12 week course

Community Development Practice will explore the nature, purpose and processes of community development work. You will gather information for community profiles to ensure inclusive and representative community engagement, practice partnership working and monitoring & evaluation for event management, as well as developing your skills as a reflective practitioner.

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Vale
Time: Starting Weds 15th May 2013, 12 week course

Cross-sector Collaboration will explore the complexities of working collaboratively across sectors. You will identify challenges, benefits, structures and systems of partnership working. You will work with statutory, voluntary and community sectors and practice collective working, decision-making and autonomy of communities.

Download an application form

Venue: Crownford House, Swan Street
Time: Mondays 6-8.30pm starting 25th March (24 week course)

This course will familiarise you with the main theories and practice of the three approaches to counselling namely, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Humanism and Psychodynamic.

Humanistic theories focusing on the work of Carl Rogers will be explored and the notion of growth and actualization will be examined. As well as this, core conditions and selfawareness will be investigated.

Psychodynamic theorists such as Freud and Jung will be explored together with their relevance for counselling practice; the work of Beck and Ellis will also be examined. Skills associated with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy such as diary keeping will be evaluated.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Crownford House, Swan Street
Time: TBC

This brand new Bite-Sized course will help you gain confidence in numeracy and mathematics. As well as providing you with basic numeracy skills, including fractions, percentages and ratio, you will become proficient in algebra, trigonometry (including Pythagoras’ Theorem), geometry, and basic statistics, and how to effectively present data.

Download an application form

Venue: The College Merthyr Tydfil
Time: Coming soon - date TBC late April

This six week course aims to provide you with an overview of human anatomy and physiology as a means to preparing you for further, more in-depth study, e.g. Tai Chi Teaching.

Each week of this course will cover a specific topic including the history of the study of anatomy and physiology from Grecian times until the present; Anatomical/medical terminology, the skeletal system and the structure of the joints, as well as examining the muscles, how they relate to the skeletal system and the biomechanics of movement. We will also cover the nervous system and how we relate to both our internal and external environments, as well as an exploration of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, their relationship to one another and the rest of the body.

By the end of this course you will have begun to understand the relationship between human anatomy and physiology and health.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Canolfan Cyfarthfa
Time: Wednesdays 10am - 1pm starting 10th April (15 weeks)

An introduction to creating your own beautiful and interesting garden.
Have you ever bought a plant on impulse but not known where to plant it? Do you struggle to choose plants for particular areas of your garden?

Selecting the right plant for the right location is fundamental when planning your garden. Through lectures and garden visits this course will take you through the basics of plant names and categories, planting schemes and design, as well as expanding your knowledge of growing conditions, and decorative values.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: The College Merthyr Tydfil
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer a similar course next February – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Tai Chi Chuan, or ‘supreme, ultimate fist’ is a Chinese internal or ‘soft’ martial art, known for its effectiveness in improving a variety of health conditions. Practised in a soft, slow, gentle and meditative manner, Tai Chi can help develop a deep sense of relaxation, reducing stress and enhancing energy levels. Training for this course is based around a series of solo ‘forms’; during this course you will learn the 54 move Tai Chi Chuan form.

This course will provide you with not only the moves needed to perform the 54 form in its entirety, but also to develop a basic understanding of the health applications inherent in each move. The course will enable you to gain an appreciation of body movement efficiency and how the musculoskeletal and nervous systems interact.
 
Throughout this course you will also be given a basic introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the human body; you will learn about the history and philosophy of China; the methods of teaching Tai Chi, as well as how Tai Chi can be adapted when working with people with special needs. Other topics will include an overview of research into the efficiency of Tai Chi Chuan for a number of health related issues including the cardiovascular, neuromusculoskeletal and respiratory systems, as well as looking at small business management for anyone hoping to start teaching Tai Chi.

*As part of this course - and in order to qualify for the teaching certificate - you will be required to undertake a further 20 credit module: 'Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology'. Without successful completion of this course you will not be able to gain accreditation for the teaching certificate. As this extra course is over and above the UHOVI 20 credit Bursary Scheme, there will be a cost incurred for those undertaking the ‘Anatomy and Physiology’ course.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: The College Merthyr Tydfil
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer a similar course next February – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The tai chi intermediate class is open to those students who have completed the beginners course or can show that they have fairly extensive tai chi background.

Start date: Wednesday 27^th February 2013
Time: 7pm-9pm

Download an application form

Venue: Crownford House, Swan Street
Time: 3rd & 4th June 10am-4pm at Crownford House, Merthyr Tydfil and 12th July 9.30am-1pm at University of South Wales, Caerleon Campus

Join this interactive group, and improve your confidence and knowledge in new ways of teaching and the development and delivery of new curriculum materials.

This three day course is designed to help you develop an understanding of the principles, concepts and practice of action research in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects in education, building on the knowledge gained through your degree level study (or equivalent), post graduate study and professional teaching experience.  It is an opportunity to create a practical working STEM teaching resource and accompanying scheme of work. This course is suitable for primary, secondary and further education sectors*.

During this course we will look at what our personal perceptions of STEM subjects are, and what factors impact on pupils engaging with these subjects; current strategies in teaching will be examined, as well as looking at cross curricular skills in STEM subjects. With the help of Techniquest, we will analyse the resources we have available to us as teachers to encourage pupil engagement. Moving on from this we will use action research, exploring recent and relevant STEM-related case studies, to create a new teaching resource.

Assessment of the course will be based on the outcomes of your small action research project.
On successful completion of this course you will gain MA accreditation equivalent to 20 credits.

Funding available, conditions apply - please call 0800 1223 220 for more details.

Download an application form

Venue: RT Training Services, Upper Boat
Time: Starts: 11th June 2013. 10 workshops - morning or afternoon courses available.

UHOVI is pleased to be working with 2Win Consulting to offer this short course designed to help local businesses to become more effective at networking.

The course is suitable for sales people, business owners, entrepreneurs and business development executives who have grown weary of time and cost-intensive lead acquisition and cold calling.  You will learn how to dramatically improve sales prospecting efficiency with proven referral marketing approaches.

A series of 10 interactive workshops will enable you to understand the concept of developing strategic referral relationships and you will formulate an action plan to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

Special introductory offer: £220.00 (+VAT)

20 credits Level 4. *Subject to validation.

To book your place, visit: http://tinyurl.com/cb7djst

Download an application form

Venue: The Pop Factory, Porth
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course provides students with the film-making skills necessary for effective reporting on Community matters. The focus is on using video as a tool for community development and to capture local issues and stories that can be shared with the community. Students who successfully complete this module will be able to qualify for Silver membership of the Institute of Community Reporters and post their work on their website as well as preparing contributions for local media and their own personal use. Embedded within this programme is a strong element of transferable skills development that will support students seeking employment and progression to further study.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Prospect House, Treforest
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Through a series of lectures as well as hands-on classes, this course aims to provide you with basic therapeutic massage skills at a clinical level.

The course will also give you an introduction to basic anatomy and body structure, giving you the opportunity to develop the basic skills of therapeutic massage. And should you wish, this course will provide you with the basis to continue your study at a higher level or go on to consider a healthcare profession as a future career. Topics covered include Anatomy and Physiology; history of massage, definition of massage and effects of massage; the treatment environment; emergency aid and recognition of injuries; and client assessment.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Cognitive Behavioural techniques have been identified as the Government’s preferred approach to counselling. This course considers the approaches, major themes, contributors and concepts, its limitations, and key methods and techniques.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The course introduces you to poetic forms and their development over time, with a clear focus on the nature of poetic language and the development of understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of poetry. A range of poetic forms are considered in terms of techniques and effects, before you move on to apply this learning in order to draft, write and discuss your own poems, and to discover your own voice in experimenting with different types of form.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The course will examine crime and types of crime while questioning the identity of the ‘real criminals.’ You will look at the way crime is used as a tool by political parties to win elections, along with claims by the media about the rise in crime, which is often exaggerated. The course examines the myths over the extent to which society is violent by the comparison with white collar crime. You will be given the opportunity to study criminology in terms of policing, the Police and the Prison Service in order to appreciate the difficulties of selective policing and the targeting of certain offenders through perceptions.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Blaenavon World Heritage Centre
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course offers a broad insight into the lives of our ancestors, including how they lived, worked and played, where and why they moved and how patterns of life changed over the years. There is a detailed look at the sources of evidence available to us to study ancestors and how we can apply this material
to our own families. There is also a practical section on using the internet to search the rapidly-growing body of data available online and to use this accurately to construct family trees and to research individual family members.

Some sessions will be at the Gwent Archives, Ebbw Vale – transport can be provided.
*Please note that a level of general IT skills is required to undertake this course.

20 credits, level 4
 
 

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

This course introduces you to the schools of Social and Developmental Psychology. It offers an overview of the subject areas and provides insight into explanations of how we become who we are and the complex interplay between our environments, personalities and experiences.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Psychology is often closely associated with mental illness and what treatments can be given to make people ‘normal’ again. This course introduces you to concepts of treatment of mental health issues and it moves into the presentation of positive psychology and wellbeing.

20 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Garndiffaith Millennium Hall
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

Crime is one of the most controversial and intriguing topics prevalent in our society. This course explores psychological explanations on the causes of criminal behaviour, considering such questions as whether there is such a thing as being born criminal and explanations on how individuals develop a sense of right and wrong.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form

Venue: Trosnant House, Pontypool
Time: This course has now started but we hope to offer similar courses in September – please contact UHOVI to register your interest.

The course provides learners with the key tools to improve their learning potential. Skills developed throughout are transferable not only within academia but also to the workplace. Complementing other university programmes, you will build skills for effective learning within higher education and how to meet the demands of assessment requirements at this level.

10 credits, level 4

Download an application form