Adult learning in Gunnedah includes brain health, social fun, job skill benefits

Just as the national week coincides with the start of spring, they said adult learning was about growth and renewal - of opportunities, wellbeing and friendships, to name a few.

And adult learning can include anything from trying origami to obtaining a new qualification.

At Gunnedah library today, the usual Monday brain training is under way through activities such as trivia quizzes, word games, memory exercises and code-breaking.

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This week, there will also be new skills, including the ancient art of origami.

Acting librarian Robyn Draper said some of the pursuits simply "keep the brain thinking and working".

"The other side [is that] most of the seniors are widows, and some of them have made some great friendships out of it," she said.

"They go to lunches and attend different functions together around town as friends ... The social aspect is a big one."

At Gunnedah Community College, program co-ordinator Lena Curran said many enrolments were people looking to learn foundation skills.

One example was the three-day learner driver knowledge course, which focuses on literacy and attracts mainly adults looking for work.

"People in their adult years who don't have a licence, we find it's often because of literacy issues; they find it very difficult to get through the computer testing independently," Ms Curran said.

"If you don't have a licence, it becomes the number 1 barrier to employment."

Other foundation or pathway courses allow people to "increase their literacy or confidence" - to then tackle a full qualification or to compile a good resume or cover letter, for example.

As for the leisure courses, which have included cooking, jewellery-making, pottery and wellness, they were "very much a social thing".

Some have been offered free to drought-affected farmers and small business owners.

"I think it's been good for people that are struggling to ... do something that makes then feel hopefully a bit better about themselves, or gives them a bit of a break from the stresses and strains," Ms Curran said.