Have a go, go on what's stopping you?

Festival of Learning is the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England. June is Have a Go Month

Which is just it says on the tin! Have a go at something different, something new, something you've always thought about but never tried and hopefully along the way you'll discover a new passion, learn a new skill, and maybe change the course of your life!  Festival of Learning says: "Our mission is to highlight the benefits of learning, celebrate achievements of adults who have used learning to transform their lives, and to encourage everyone to embrace lifelong learning."

'Have A Go' Month is an opportunity for organisations to run taster sessions and classes inviting people to get back into learning and to dip their toe into the water in a non-threatening manner.  Giving both participants and organisers an opportunity to learn about each other and to foster a new mutually beneficial relationship.

Sometimes taster sessions can lead greater involvement and even a whole career change, as happed when Jackie Kemp joined a National Trust for Scotland volunteer work day party. He says:  Only two and half years after starting my new volunteering hobby, it had become the impetus and launch pad for my decision to change my career path. I embarked on a fulltime BSc in Countryside Management with the aim of becoming a Countryside Ranger." Read his story here.

If you've got a story like Jackie's that you'd like to share to encourage other to give it a go please contact us, we're always looking for new items for our in depth features and Focus editions. Organisers don't forget you can post details of your volunteer taster days with us - 50 words totally free, email The Team.