Galloway's is unique, for it has a vast programme of adult education across the county. This varies from Art and Crafts, Drama, Music, Healthy Lifestyle to Information Technology.

We are always developing our Further Education Programme to encourage learning new skills, we have tutors who are skilled in working with visually impaired people to build confidence and and work at a speed they are comfortable with.

	Engrossed in Rag Rugging

When people have lost their sight they often feel that there are no opportunities available, they withdraw from the sighted world, become isolated, lonely and feel useless. However there are many opportunities available with little adaption and it is then possible to take up a hobby and do things at home. Taster days are introduced to give people a sample of what is available from Gardening, History of Alston Hall, Archery, Language, Computing and many more.

Music for All

Visual Arts Programme. This includes Drawing, Painting using oils and water colours, Stencilling, Pottery, Table decoration, Flower Arranging, Rag rugging and Encaustic Art.

Music is a very pleasurable pursuit, there is an opportunity to be in a choir, write lyrics, compose music, play an instrument and work towards a recognized accreditation.

Healthy Lifestyle is important to all, our programme includes Keep Fit, Reiki, Qigong, Stress Management, Chinese Alternative Therapy, Health & Beauty and many more.

	Mixing freely, the blind, carers and tutors

Information Technology, using speech software and magnification opens up a world of information and gives a high degree of independence to the visually impaired. Galloway's, in partnership with various colleges now gives computer access to all willing to learn Computers.

Courses available are Introduction to Computing, Internet & Email and Web Page Design. All these courses initially are non vocational but, once the confidence has been gained learners can progress to FAST, CLAIT or ECDL accreditation courses.

Nothing's impossible and I.T. can be fun

By learning to use computers, blind or partially sighted people can access the computer facilities at Galloway's and County Public Libraries, all of which have compatible accessability software. Thus, the visually impaired person gains the independence to shop on line, access up to date news and information, and keep contact friends and family by email.

A recent quote made by a blind person was that 'the ability to use computers has liberated me for the first time in my life, I now have greater privacy, access to news and information as it is released, and not through second parties'.

Some of these courses take place at our 12 weekly social afternoons, where visually impaired people along with volunteers and tutors can get together, keep in touch and learn a new skill. These centres are throughout Lancashire in Bamber Bridge, Carnforth, Chorley, Fulwood, Garstang, Lancaster, Leyland, Longridge, Morecambe, Ormskirk, Preesall and Penwortham.

	Clog Dancing Galloways Style

We work with Lancashire County Council working with colleges in Lancaster, Alston Hall and Lancashire College in Chorley.

A residential programme has been established with 2 of the Colleges which is always based around theme. The basis of this is to encourage blind and visually impaired to go and stay in a college environment which is non threatening and to give a taste of different courses. The course may be for example, themed on The History of Lancashire where they have the chance to have a go at Weaving, learn about the Poet's and Music of Lancashire including a trip out to Historic buildings and Churches. Another theme has been the Culture of another country whic can incorporate Language, Cuisine,Culture, Traditions and Crafts. Everyone gets the chance to broaden their knowledge and stimulate the mind. These residential's "Open Doors" as the course's title states.

People who undertake the Adult Education Programme feel that they have learned in a non threatening environment, achieved thing that they though were non possible and are proud to take home the things they have made to their family, they feel that they are a valued member of society and are not excluded but equal to those in a sighted world.

Galloway's in conjunction with Lancashire College, run Blind Awareness Courses on a monthly basis at Galloways. These courses benefit anyone who has contact with the general public in Colleges, Industry, Commercial or Retail and Public Sectors. Your awareness of the needs of a visually impaired person can enhance someone's everyday life.