Best Practice examples

There is a great diversity in the range and types of informal adult learning already offered by Cathedrals, Greater Churches and others. This section attempts to capture some of that by giving examples of best practice working across a range of activity headings.

An adult / family / community learning programme provides an excellent opportunity to engage with new audiences and to widen participation, particularly with groups who have not previously been involved with the Cathedral. In this sense, the informal learning activity itself, and the paths and relationships built towards achieving it, can open the buildings and make them accessible both physically and intellectually to all in the community.

Adult learning can also be a means of engaging with local and national issues, a way to enliven the current offer and a way through which we might share our expertise with the parishes. It can also help to bring Cathedral departments together to shape and deliver a common activity, creating better awareness and understanding and the strengthening of internal relationships. All the best practice examples demonstrate this.

These best practice examples also show a very wide range of partnership working across the public, voluntary and private sectors. Such partnership working is critical, not only when budgets and resources are limited, but also because of the very positive professional relationships and therefore learner outcomes it produces.

Outreach and widening participation

Norwich Cathedral – ‘Challenging Perceptions’ and Community Learning project: Download case study (.doc, 1.88 MB)

Creating and funding a dedicated position

Ripon Cathedral – ‘Discovering Ripon Cathedral’ – The Project Manager: Download case study (.doc, 901 KB)

Partnerships to build creative Adult and Community Learning

‘No Shelter from the Storm’ – Giant video installation / exhibition and Cathedrals tour in 2010: Download case study (.doc, 1.57 MB)

Theological studies

St Albans Cathedral – St Albans Centre for Christian Studies: Download case study (.doc, 754 KB)

Inter-Faith partnerships

Bradford Cathedral – The Synergy Development Officer: Download case study (.doc, 56 KB)

INSET and Professional Development

Ripon Cathedral – Every Head Matters: Download case study (.pdf, 424 KB)

And there's more to come in the Stage 2 toolkit! Including...:

Working across Cathedral departments – Exeter Cathedral Library
Training for Staff and Volunteers – St Pauls Cathedral Volunteer Handbook