Over the last two years the government has invested £17m into the West Midlands through the Multiply programme which uses an innovative approach to boost adults’ confidence with numbers and maths.
Whether this is for budgeting or simply measuring ingredients for cooking, improving confidence with numbers can help people better manage their finances, improve their career prospects, and equip them to better support their children at school.
The interactive sessions held by numeracy coaches were also aimed at businesses based in Solihull, demonstrating how developing maths skills can have a positive impact on customer service, reduce financial errors, increase employee engagement and productivity and reduce staff turnover.
Simon Homer is a maths tutor at Solihull College and delivers Multiply. He said, “We are here today to talk to people – it’s important they realise that not being confident in maths is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Multiply is completely free and bespoke. The businesses I have spoken to today can see that this is a way to develop their staff - there has been a lot of positive responses to the support we can offer. Without the funding and support from the combined authority we wouldn’t be able to offer anything like this.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Working with numbers is such an important skill and in my work as an accountant, numbers and data have always been the bedrock. Understanding how numbers apply to everyday life is really important, whether that is about managing your finances, paying bills, measuring the ingredients for a recipe or helping your child with their homework.
“Multiply is an innovative way of helping people to become more confident in numbers in everyday life. I am pleased with the work that WMCA is doing in partnership with local authorities, training providers and voluntary sector organisations across the region to support people to improve their maths skills. I look forward to hearing more from people and businesses that have benefitted.”
WMCA is also working with seven voluntary sector organisations to deliver outreach and engagement activity across the region, identifying residents that would benefit from free innovative courses and taster sessions to help improve numeracy.
The latest organisations to get involved are FareShare Midlands, Rights and Equality Sandwell and the Colebridge Trust, who have received grants totalling £87,000 to support 400 residents.
Chet Parmer, CEO at the Colebridge Trust, said, “Multiply is a fantastic opportunity for local people to improve their numeracy and as well as helping residents to improve employment options. The team are looking forward to enabling residents to develop a skill that can help with day-to-day life. Saving on shopping, supporting children with homework and even helping to improve DIY skills".
Elena and Pryanka have both improved their maths skills at Adult Education Wolverhampton, which has been funded by the WMCA to deliver Multiply.
One Multiply student, Priyanka Khanduja explained how the programme has given her a new found passion for maths and significantly improved the way she uses numeracy in everyday life.
"When I reached 42 I thought my route into education had stopped,” she said. “I was recommended to go to Adult Education Wolverhampton where they have courses that can help improve your skills and employability.
"I was encouraged to go for GCSE maths and that’s when my tutor introduced me to the Multiply course. It has changed my life and my perspective towards mathematics.
"When I was at school, I never felt like I got help with maths. Since studying GCSE maths and Multiply, I find maths absolutely wonderful - I’m not scared of it anymore.
"I help my daughter with her homework and she helps me with mine! When I go out shopping, I know how important it is to spend your money in a sensible way and keep track of outgoings - it’s easy to spend but hard to earn."
Elena Stan moved to Wolverhampton from Romania five years ago with her family and young son. She felt anxious as she couldn’t speak English so enrolled on an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course at Adult Education Wolverhampton and then joined the Multiply programme.
Elena is now fluent in English and confident in maths and is a parent governor, parent ambassador and ESOL volunteer in her local community.
She said: “When I first came to Wolverhampton I went through a lot of anxiety because I couldn’t speak to people.
“I wanted to adapt and become part of my community, so I decided to enrol onto an English course. My tutor advised me to do some maths courses to help me with my career.
“I said yes and since then it’s been amazing. I’ve learned English, maths and all sorts of other courses around my son’s education.
“Since doing Multiply I am so much more confident. I can read and understand my bills. I know how to calculate and how much money I can save.
“I’ve been a parent governor for three years and I’m a parent ambassador at my son’s school. I’ve been talking to the school about how to reduce their energy bills and how to teach parents how to save on energy bills.”
Cllr George Duggins, the WMCA’s portfolio holder for productivity and skills and leader of Coventry City Council, said: “Confidence when working with numbers is key to so many aspects of our lives. By working closely with local businesses and voluntary sector organisations we can identify where this support is needed most. This will help us to build a skilled resilient workforce for the region.”
More information about Multiply can be found on the WMCA website.
You can also read about how Multiply has helped Kay here : Why disability shouldn’t be a barrier to learning as an adult: Kay’s story (wmca.org.uk)
