DORSET Council will be providing two new adult numeracy courses from the end of September as part of a government-funded nationwide scheme.

The Skills & Learning Adult Education arm of the council will offer the two courses for free to anyone aged over 19 who does not have at least a grade C or 4 in GCSE maths.

Qualified teacher James Houston, who will be leading the courses, said: “Both our courses are small, friendly, extremely relaxed and as far removed from a school maths lesson as you can probably get.

“We meet and help a lot of people who left school without maths, in fact, around 51 per cent of all UK adults don’t have a GCSE grade C or above.”

He added: “Some people leave after passing but still feel they are ‘bad at maths’.

“Whatever the case, not being confident with numbers can hold you back in all sorts of ways in your everyday and work life.”

Both courses will take place on Thursdays from September 28 with the ’Get Number Confident’ course taking place at Bridport Town Council in Mountfield between 1pm and 3pm for six Thursdays.

The ‘Get Money Confident’ course will be held at the Youth and Community Centre in Gundry Lane from 10am to 12 midday on the same six Thursdays from September 28.

Mr Houston is looking to build up people's confidence and help them to unlock skills that will improve their day to day lives.

He continued: “As learners’ confidence grows, they will find they are able to help their children with their homework, better manage their bills and budgets, and perhaps even aim higher at work.

“We work with numbers in ways people can relate to and will even find fun. So, if there is an area of maths that has always frustrated you, we can build your confidence and unlock your skills.”

Mr Houston is keen to hear from any individual, parent, community group or business that wish to enrol their staff on to the courses and can be contacted via email: jhouston@salbcp.com

Alternatively more information on all types of courses provided by Skills & Learning Adult Community Education can be found be found online: Courses - Skills & Learning Adult Community Education (skillsandlearningace.com)