Multiply exceeds ambitious aims across Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Môn

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Multiply department has improved the numeracy skills of nearly 2,000 people across Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Môn.

The Multiply project, funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to improve adults’ confidence with numbers, boosting their job prospects and aiding them in everyday life.

Initially envisioned as a three-year project, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Multiply team have worked in close partnership with the Shared Prosperity Fund North Wales and four local authorities - Gwynedd Council, Isle Of Anglesey County Council, Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council - to surpass ambitious targets for numeracy confidence courses within a shorter time frame of 15 months.

So far, 1,914 people have engaged with the Grŵp’s free numeracy courses - far exceeding an initial target of 1,360. As of December, 714 courses have taken place - ranging from group sessions to one–to-one support.

The success of Multiply stems from its diverse and targeted interventions, which include foundational courses to boost confidence, financial literacy to help people manage their money, and workplace numeracy developed with employers to address specific job-related skills.

Number skills have even been taught through sessions as diverse as car maintenance, carpentry, cooking and much more.

For many learners, Multiply has provided a route back into education, with 123 people now enrolled on either GCSE maths or Application of Number (AoN) courses as a direct result of their engagement with the project.

Gwydion Evans, from Bethesda, achieved an ‘A’ in GCSE Maths after just three months of tuition, and has since enrolled at Coleg Menai to study similar qualifications in English Language and Welsh.

“The one-on-one lessons were really helpful for learning things quite quickly and having a more dedicated, curated course which let me really sink my teeth into it,” said Gwydion, who is planning to progress to A-levels.

Another learner, David Walsh, has used his new-found number confidence to help his grandchildren with their schoolwork, and is now studying Essential Skills Wales Numeracy Level 2.

“I’ve not always been comfortable with maths,” said David, from Prestatyn. “But the tutors on these courses fully understand our capabilities and are more than willing to help us.

“Multiply is definitely the place to come because they understand that not everyone can do maths, and it is good for me because it can help your kids as well. Well, grandchildren in my case!”

Multiply also partners with community organisations to ensure the programme engages the hardest-to-reach learners. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has built relationships with 534 community groups, charities, businesses and other organisations, delivering bespoke courses aimed at employees, clients and service users.

A shining example of this has been the Grŵp’s relationship with Rhyl charity Blossom & Bloom.

After hosting Multiply sessions aimed at improving parents’ budgeting and maths skills, Blossom & Bloom collaborated with the Grŵp to offer a six-week course, ‘Starting Your Own Business’, empowering parents to take control of their financial futures.

Blossom & Bloom founder Vicky Welsman-Millard said: “There are seven businesses that have been created so far, which is amazing because that wouldn't have been possible without Blossom & Bloom and Multiply.

“It's exciting because these courses give our group something else to focus on rather than just being a parent. I'm excited to see what the future can bring and what sort of continued opportunities we can offer from here.”

Multiply has helped people face the cost-of-living crisis through its budgeting courses - but for Colwyn Community Hwb director Tom Ward, it’s also about making a social impact.

“I needed help to organise cookery courses for our clients,” said Tom, whose group hosted ‘Cooking on a Budget’ and ‘Cooking with Air Fryers’.

“We have people struggling now and the foodbank is crucial to support them. In our case, you are not just learning numeracy, you are working in groups and learning how to talk with other people.”

Businesses have also benefited from Multiply, which has built numeracy courses tailored to the needs of different workplaces.

Builders merchant Huws Gray hosted sessions for staff at its Llangefni head offices, where they learned coding and spreadsheets as well as GCSE Maths.

The company’s head of central operations Dafydd Hughes said: “I’m really passionate about what we can do to develop our colleagues and provide them with the best chance of succeeding in their careers.

“This is where Multiply worked well for us because GCSE maths just gives them something in their locker where they would not have had the opportunity previously.

“We’re delighted to be part of the Multiply Project. It’s a fantastic opportunity providing various options for people to do their GCSEs, and improve their Excel and IT skills.”

Fiona Murray, job coach at Prestatyn-based social enterprise Co-Options, said her clients had seen real-life gains from Multiply sessions.

“Multiply is able to adapt sessions for all learners and we’ve seen a big increase in confidence and capability amongst all learners,” she said.

“The fact that learners can now add Multiply courses to their CV and take certificates to job interviews is fantastic and it really boosts their prospects in the working world.”

Aled Jones-Griffith, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "Projects such as Multiply which reintroduce adults into learning are hugely important.

“Using innovative and relevant techniques, our Multiply courses have supported people to develop their numeracy skills and therefore enhance their job and employability opportunities.

“I am immensely proud of all those learners who have engaged and developed their skills, but also equally proud and grateful to our excellent teaching and development teams for ensuring we exceeded the targets in a short period of time."

Martin Walker, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s lead Lifelong Learning manager, said: “We’re proud that so many people throughout Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Môn have been able to develop their numeracy skills through Multiply.

“This is having a transformative effect on people’s lives - not only helping them in life and work, but also opening up new opportunities to them through continued education.

“Learners can continue their journey with Grwp Llandrillo Menai through Potensial, our lifelong learning brand. Potensial offers a wide range of courses for adults to return to learning, develop new skills, gain new knowledge in a subject of interest, and/or help them prepare for further education or employment.”

For more information on the range of lifelong learning courses available through Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, visit our Potensial page.