New ARCHES courses

At Randalstown ARCHES Association a wide variety of courses for adults is on offer which are guaranteed to both stimulate and challenge.

David Boyle, community development officer with ARCHES, said: “Although computers are such a big part of life now there are still many adults who did not have the opportunity to learn IT skills at school with the result that they now have a fear of using computers and also of admitting they can’t use them.

“This is easily overcome in our Beginners Computer course where students all start at the same level, realise that their fears were groundless and in no time at all are computer competent.

“In many cases this leads students on to our Internet and Email course which is most relevant considering how many aspects of our lives can now be conducted online.”

ARCHES will also be running a new “Card Making” workshop, which will take place on Saturday, January 26.

This will enable those taking part to make beautiful, hand-crafted cards for any special occasion, whether it be for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or new baby! What nicer way to make an occasion much more personal?

Another course which has proved very popular with ARCHES is the Family History for Beginners

George Graham, Chair of ARCHES, said: “Many people are keen to find out details of their ancestry, and this has been made more popular by the “Who Do You Think You Are?” programmes on TV.

“It has also become much easier to trace records using the internet, and this course introduces students to many of the resources currently available.

“We haven’t had any students who have discovered that they are heirs to a multi-million pound fortune, but you never know what you could find in your past!

“This course is just one of the many on offer in ARCHES and I think it is such a convenience for people of the area to be able to learn a skill here on their doorstep.

“A full list of courses is included in our advertisement in this paper and if there are other courses which people would like us to organise we will be glad to hear from them with their suggestions.”

To enrol on a course or to obtain further information contact David or Hazel at ARCHES on 028 9447 8471 or email [email protected]

As many of the courses are over-subscribed you are also advised to pay a deposit as soon as possible in order to secure your place on a course.