Become a numeracy champion
South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS) has teamed up with the charity National Numeracy to offer free support and training to all health and care staff in SE London wanting to build their confidence with numbers, and boost their opportunities.
The initiative is part of Every Londoner Counts, a capital-wide project, endorsed by NHS England and funded through The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. It aims to build numeracy skills amongst adults and help them get a job or develop their current career, and feel more confident in managing their money.
The Numeracy Challenge
Colleagues are encouraged to register for the National Numeracy Challenge – a free, online learning tool designed to help improve everyday maths skills in manageable steps. Based on maths in the real world it’s free to access, easy to get started and can be used on any device including mobile phones. Features include:
- A numeracy skills check: A short one to get started and longer one to assess skills in more depth.
- Learning resources: Every skill needed to be numerate
- Attitudes resources: Making maths a bit easier and less stressful
- Interactive content: Including videos from beneficiaries, quizzes, myth busters and tips
- Resource hubs: Help with managing money and at work
- Technology that adapts to the individual’s learning level, with over 300 questions
Click here to get started.
Become a Numeracy Champion
SEL ICS and National Numeracy are also encouraging staff to train as Numeracy Champions. This free CPD accredited course will equip people with the skills to share their knowledge. Numeracy Champions don’t teach maths but will learn how to support any colleagues, family or friends who may wish to improve their own numeracy skills.
Numeracy Champions are provided with the tools needed to mentor those they are supporting and help them improve their number skills. Maths anxiety and low number confidence can be a barrier preventing people from progressing their careers within the NHS. Organisations who’ve trained Numeracy Champions have found themselves better equipped to support that learning journey.
The initiative isn’t about sending people back to school but is an exciting opportunity to build capacity, confidence and skills within the workforce. Feedback from both staff and employers, including NHS Trusts has been overwhelmingly positive and a video highlighting what the organisational and personal benefits can be, is available.
The tools and resources being promoted focus on the practical skills that are essential for daily life and the workplace, and it’s hoped colleagues from across the system will get involved. Sign up to become a National Numeracy Champion here
For more information, visit the National Numeracy website or if you have further queries, contact Rohan Jhangiani, Workforce Project Manager, SEL ICS People Programme: rohan.jhangiani@gstt.nhs.uk