STARTING AN ADULT or community-based voluntary education group involves a lot of organisation. AONTAS, the national association of adult education, has produced an information pack to help make the process as simple as possible.

The pack opens with an introduction to the world of education and how things have changed in adult learning over the past 10 to 15 years; then it gets right down to the nitty-gritty of how to start groups and run courses.

"There are still many communities who are setting up their own learning groups to meet their specific needs, and this pack is aimed at them," says Kay Bailey, who worked on preparing the pack.

But we also feel it would be relevant to those involved with adult education in any way, whether as tutors, organisers or managers. The pack brings together a lot of up-to-date information on the facts, figures and issues that are of relevance to all voluntary groups."

The pack has a practical slant, with information about how to get funding, how to go about organising insurance and the importance of setting up creche facilities. It also looks at networking with other groups, lobbying and how a group can get publicity for its efforts.