FREE maths courses are being offered in East Sussex to help adults build their numeracy skills.

To mark Number Confidence Week, running from November 6 to 10, East Sussex County Council is reminding residents about a new government programme to help improve people’s confidence with numbers.

The Multiply Project is a Department for Education funded initiative commissioned by East Sussex County Council that aims to help those who do not already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in maths to upskill their maths knowledge.

Multiply courses help to build people’s confidence with numbers whilst learning new skills in a wide range of subjects including animal care, budgeting, forestry, horticulture, digital skills and music.

18 different maths and numeracy courses are being run at locations across the county including Plumpton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes, Rye and Newhaven.

Courses are free and available to residents aged 19 or over, with beginner sessions to boost confidence and help participants build on the foundations of their maths knowledge, as well as more advanced offers up to a Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification.

Courses range from cookery lessons with core maths skills embedded in the recipes and bushcraft sessions designed to increase confidence with numbers, to personalised one to one numeracy focused support and courses to enable parents to help with their children’s numeracy learning at home.

Bitesize numeracy sessions for employees are also available with tuition tailored to the participants’ place of employment.

Free courses include sessions aimed at those employed in the East Sussex priority sectors of health and social care, the visitor economy and construction, as well as maths for business and maths for employees in the public sector.

Feedback from previous course participants includes: “It has made me see maths differently, I didn’t realise we did maths every day.”, and “I have really grown in my confidence when using maths and working with numbers in general. I am looking forward to helping my children with their maths homework in future.”

Cllr Bob Standley, lead member for education and inclusion and special education needs at East Sussex County Council, said: “Half the adult population in the UK struggle with numbers in some way.

“The Multiply programme offers East Sussex residents easy access to free numeracy courses that can help people brush up on their maths skills and become more confident with numbers.

“Whether you need help with managing your money, want to improve your potential at work, or would like to be able to assist your children with their homework, good numeracy skills are key. I encourage anyone who would like to improve their maths to visit the Multiply page on the Careers East Sussex website to find out more.”

All Multiply courses are fully funded and accept self-referrals. For more information and to sign up to courses, visit www.careerseastsussex.co.uk/multiply.

To find out more about Number Confidence Week visit www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numberconfidenceweek.