IN previous columns I have spoken about the good work the council is doing to help the children and young people in our schools to fulfil their potential.

It is worth remembering however that the council also has a key role in supporting lifelong learning through the work of our Community, Learning and Development (CLD) Service.

Often seen as the ‘Cinderella’ service, CLD work with a range of partners to improve the life chances for people of all ages, through learning, personal development and active citizenship.

They also support many local groups to help develop stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities.

The 2014/15 CLD Annual Report provides a helpful overview of the work of the Service and shows how it is making a real difference.

CLD supported many hundreds of local people to develop life skills so that they can play an active and productive role in their personal, community, family and working lives.

Learners participated in programmes on health and well-being, digital skills and employability as well as community based work clubs. They also provided support for families with parenting and family learning programmes.

Adult literacies is another key aspect of the CLD Service, with nearly 600 learners, most of whom were unemployed at the time they registered with the service, benefiting from support with literacy skills. The lack of these basic skills can be a significant barrier to employment for many people.

As well as individuals, CLD supported nearly 50 community groups - mainly tenants’ and residents’ associations and community councils - in the past year. The support the service provides to these groups, particularly in the early stages of their development, can be crucial to their success.

CLD organised a successful International Women’s Day event on 8 March 2015 where 58 local women discussed the particular issues they face and shared ideas for taking forward plans to tackle them. The council has now agreed to make this an annual event.

CLD has a key role to play in the council’s wider engagement strategy with the local community. One way it does this is through door-to-door listening surveys.

In the past year 760 such surveys were carried out with feedback being used to inform the work of council services and partners organisations.

Possibly the most high profile aspect of the CLD Service is youth work. The iYouthzones in Greenock and Port Glasgow are going from strength to strength with 500 young people regularly using them for a range of activities and services. I’m sure the new Gourock iYouthzone will be equally successful.

CLD support over 30 LGBT young people through the ‘Clyde Pride’ group, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme goes from strength to strength, with 172 young people achieving awards in the year.

This is just a flavour of the excellent work the CLD Service does across Inverclyde. If you want to know more you can obtain a copy of the annual report by emailing cld.admin@inverclyde.gov.uk or calling (01475) 715450.

You can also get details of the various programmes and activities run by the service.