Number Confidence Week 2024: Local Authority Impact
From empowering healthcare workers to sparking conversations about the numeracy gender gap, Number Confidence Week 2024 showcased the collective power of collaboration. By engaging councils, organisations, and communities, we continue transforming attitudes toward numeracy and creating lasting change.
Read on to find out how local authorities around the UK got involved for Number Confidence Week.
Frimley: Confidence with Numbers Workshop for NHS Staff
In collaboration with Frimley Health Trust, we hosted a Confidence with Numbers workshop tailored for NHS staff who felt nervous about numbers. Nine staff members attended the session, which was designed to enhance their confidence and help them excel in their roles. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the workshop’s impact in fostering numeracy skills in a supportive environment.
Greater London: Conversations and Confidence
In Greater London:
- Capital City College Group brought the conversation online, using anonymous LinkedIn polls and social media trends to explore themes like gender and confidence in maths. They hosted events, including a lively Big Number Natter over coffee and cake.
- The Greater London Authority joined the conversation, with Anne Marie Soyinka participating in a Big Number Natter with National Numeracy’s CEO, discussing the gender confidence gap in numeracy.
Leicestershire: Multiplay with Multiply
Leicestershire County Council embraced Number Confidence Week by delivering a packed schedule of activities under the Multiplay with Multiply theme:
- The RCC barista van brought Big Number Natters to rural communities, combining coffee with number-themed conversations.
- Training providers wove Big Number Natters into their courses, fostering confidence in practical settings.
- Charities hosted engaging pop-up events like bingo and games to draw in residents and start conversations about numeracy.
Norfolk: Hands-on Creativity
Norfolk County Council embraced craft and community, hosting:
- Rag wreath workshops at local venues like Steam House Café and Feathers Futures.
- Origami sessions at Shrublands Community Trust, PopPin Bradwell Church group, and Great Yarmouth Library.
These events combined creativity with casual discussions around numeracy confidence.
North Yorkshire County Council’s Community Engagement
North Yorkshire County Council brought Number Confidence Week into the heart of the community, hosting a Big Number Natter. This face-to-face initiative allowed residents to share their experiences with numbers and explore ways to build confidence in everyday numeracy.
Scotland: Creative Numeracy Adventures
In Scotland:
- The City of Edinburgh Council partnered with National Numeracy to deliver a Supporting Families Numeracy Champion programme. Primary school staff across Edinburgh were trained as Numeracy Champions, boosting their confidence and empowering parental engagement in maths.
- In Moray, LEAD Scotland took a unique approach by using Dungeons & Dragons to foster numeracy skills through an imaginative, collaborative adventure. Participants honed numeracy and teamwork while solving puzzles to restore harmony to the multiverse.
- Moray also hosted a Numeracy Escape Room, drawing in participants who left inspired to sign up for skills courses. The council amplified their efforts by driving daily conversations on social media, debunking maths myths and sparking public engagement.
Wiltshire Council’s Multiply Initiative
Wiltshire Council’s Multiply team championed Number Confidence Week by taking over the council’s internal intranet homepage for the week. This creative move encouraged staff to engage with the National Numeracy Challenge, promoting personal and professional growth in a highly visible and accessible way.
