The partnership between Adult Learning Wales and Swansea MAD provides a vital digital skills lifeline for Swansea residents, blending essential welfare support with digital skills training. By removing barriers like digital poverty and language isolation, the partnership enables individuals to acquire the key essential digital skills and support to help them progress with everyday life, and to create new opportunities through employment.

Now in its third year, the partnership was set up to provide equipment from Adult Learning Wales to Swansea MAD to support the scalability of their innovative digital provision and to explore collaborative development opportunities to further VR & AR in teaching & learning. Read on below to find out how five Swansea residents have benefited from this partnership over the past few months.

Learner R wanted to explore 3D design but lacked the technical experience. By visiting Swansea MAD, the learner received the necessary support and participated in Blender sessions. The learner was introduced to Learned 3D workspace navigation, polygonal modelling (extrusion/transformation), and how to apply NASA data maps to 3D objects. By doing this, R successfully created a 3D spacecraft and celestial bodies. R is now progressing to produce a short animation focused on environmental themes.

QZ needed support with English (ESOL) and basic digital literacy, requiring reliable learning resources in Kurdish. Swansea MAD provided a safe space, food, and digital hardware to help QZ, and identified Kurdish-language YouTube tutorials on digital skills. They also supplied QZ with a SIM card/data for independent mobile learning. With the support from Swansea MAD, QZ can now navigate a PC, send emails, and use online banking, while increasing their confidence in using digital technology.

A learner recently arrived in Swansea with no fixed address, no digital access, and was isolated from essential services (HMRC/Jobcentre). Swansea MAD provided 1-to-1 digital coaching, hardware, and a free SIM card. The team assisted with online housing forms and emergency payment applications. They also sourced a donated laptop and essential household items via local partners. The learner has now found permanent shared accommodation and a place on an education course. The individual is now digitally independent and preparing for re-employment.

Person B was facing potential redundancy; they wanted to launch a freelance crochet business but lacked the technical skills to build a website. Swansea MAD was able to offer 1-to-1 tuition on WordPress, domain registration, and hosting. They offered guidance on content creation and e-commerce integration. Person B has now launched a professional website for booking workshops and selling products. By migrating from third-party sites (Etsy) to their own shop, B has maximised income and secured financial solvency.

A migrant and trainee chef, person S, became homeless after the COVID-19 pandemic. S faced barriers, including dyslexia and a physical illness, preventing a return to manual kitchen work. Swansea MAD introduced S to “Learn My Way” digital training and helped with Action Planning. They supported S with their university application for Hotel Management, including coordinating disability support. S is now living in student accommodation and studying for a degree. Swansea MAD also facilitated a job match at a local pub, where S now works 20 hours a week as a chef while successfully managing his studies.

These stories are only a small reflection of how residents in Swansea have benefited from the partnership between Adult Learning Wales and Swansea MAD. The above stories highlight the profound impact that accessible digital support has on individual lives. From launching businesses to escaping homelessness and pursuing higher education, these successes demonstrate that when digital barriers are removed, opportunities are created. Through this ongoing partnership, Adult Learning Wales and Swansea MAD remain committed to ensuring that digital inclusion is accessible within the City of Swansea.