Multiply123 Toolkit

Campaign information and assets for partner organisations

About Multiply

Multiply is an adult numeracy programme funded by the UK Government. Tailored for adults over 16, it aims to improve adult numeracy skills, confidence with numbers and career prospects. It’s designed to help people looking to boost their career, support family learning, get new qualifications or better manage their finances.

Numbers are everywhere. But many people struggle to deal with numbers. In fact, it is estimated that one in ten people across the UK struggle with numeracy.

This is particularly true locally as Glasgow City Region has a low ranking in the UK Numeracy Index for numeracy skills and confidence. While Scotland scores an average of 42, Glasgow City Region has almost double the need for improved numeracy skills with a score of 80.

Help is available, with hundreds of local people being supported through the Multiply123 numeracy programme which is providing a range of courses and activities of all types, free to residents across the Region’s eight council areas: Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire, and Renfrewshire.

 

Father helping his son with homework

Purpose of the Toolkit

Key organisations and agencies across Glasgow City Region can support Multiply123 and make a real difference to the lives of your staff, customers, clients or local residents.

  • Develop content to share on your own channels – adapting the programme messages in this toolkit.
  • Share / support Glasgow City Region (and your local council’s) social media content focused on Multiply.
  • Raise awareness of the Multiply programme to staff, customers or clients and encourage your networks to do the same.
  • Signpost to the Multiply123 website so that visitors can explore the wider range of courses of all types for adult learners.

 

What help is available?

Multiply offers different types of courses for all learners with different capabilities to support you in home, social or work life.

Courses can be anything from basic numbers and arithmetic to money management or classes tailored for specific needs such as helping the children with homework, working in IT, retail, or hospitality or for everyday activities such as cooking, paying bills, DIY or gardening.

For others, it’s the first step to a maths or numeracy-based qualification that could help with getting a job or advance career prospects.

There are also classes for specific groups such as women, men, families, people with disabilities, people whose first language isn’t English, or those with support needs.

Some examples of the courses on offer include:

Maths for Parents, Cooking Together, Better Budgeting, SQA Numeracy and Maths in the Workplace, Bits, Bytes and Sums, Make and Measure woodwork, Sewing and Mending, Numbers in Retail.

 

Posters and Flyers

Our posters raise awareness of the Multiply123 campaign. We also have editable belly posters which means you can insert information about local courses in them.

Flyers are available for different audiences – one with generic information, one for employees and one for referring clients.

Illustration of downloadable poster design

For Referring Clients

Our Referrals Guide will support staff who work directly with clients, particularly in key groups, to provide information on the free numeracy support available and how to refer clients.

A flyer is available to give to clients, providing all the information they need.

Referring partners should promote the Multiply courses to their clients based up on the impact this will have – think about the benefits of learning new or enhancing life skills.

 

Illustration of leaflet for referring clients to multiply

Internal & External Communications Resources

You can download suggested copy to share information and key messages about the Multiply campaign and courses for websites, newsletters, intranet and other internal and external channels.

Social Media Posts and Graphics

You can download suggested copy and graphics to post on your own social media channels.

Ready to post graphics are available for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These can also be shared through community WhatsApp groups.

Look out for / use #Multiply123

Follow our social media channels to keep up to date and show your support.

 

Illustration of Social Media Graphic

Animations

You can download animations and gifs to post on your own social media channels or website.

Illustration of Downloadable social media animations

Video Content

We have made a number of videos featuring people who have participated in Multiply courses to highlight the benefits of doing a course.

You can download these and show on your own social media channels or website.

Illustration of downloadble video content

FAQ and Further Information

Refer to our FAQs below for more information about Multiply and how your organisation can get involved.

For further information about the Toolkit or engagement activity for the Multiply Campaign, please contact Nicola Pirie at Nicola.Pirie@glasgow.gov.uk

What is Multiply?

Multiply, a key part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), is a targeted funding programme to specifically support adult numeracy. It offers adults (aged 16 and over) who do not have a maths National 5 qualification (or equivalent) access to free maths and numeracy courses.

Through Multiply, a total of £560 million funding has been earmarked by the UK Government to improve the maths skills of hundreds of thousands of adults across the whole of the UK.

What are the benefits of improving numeracy skills?

People who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing, and will be more able to progress to higher levels of free training to secure a skilled job in our economy.

Businesses who develop their employees’ numeracy skills can boost productivity, increase profits, and improve employee retention.

According to research, improving numeracy skills can boost your pay cheque by 14% and reduce joblessness by half – boosting the economy and changing lives.

A report for National Numeracy by Pro Bono Economics in 2021 found that 16 million workers in the UK were earning an average of nearly £1,600 less per year than they could if they had a basic level of numeracy. A £1,600 increase in wages for the estimated 16 million people in work in the UK with low numeracy skills is the equivalent of a total differential in income of £25 billion per year in 2020 prices.

Are there any costs to my business or company for employees to access courses?

No. Multiply courses are completely free for anyone (who meets the eligibility criteria).

Are courses set out in advance?

Not always. Speak to one of the 8 Council Multiply contacts to find out about available courses and how these can be tailored to your specific work requirements. Courses can be delivered one to one or as part of a group – depending on the course and timeframe.

If we want to find out more information about Multiply, how do we get in touch?

Fill in our online form or alternatively, give us a call! All details are linked from our home page.

How can we get access to posters and flyers?

We have created an interactive toolkit which includes all information, resources, and links so all you need to do is copy and paste! See here for details.

Can we borrow banners for events?

Yes! If you would like to borrow Multiply pop-up banners, contact via the online form and detail the reason for the request. The GCR team will get back in touch to arrange collection from our office.

How can I refer someone?

Are you supporting someone you think would benefit from accessing numeracy courses? Not sure how to get in touch? Follow our simple guide below on who to contact in your local area.

Each Council area has a dedicated team for Multiply, who can support your clients or customers with advice on the best support and courses available to suit their needs.

Once a referral is received, an advisor will get in touch with the individual to ask a few questions to understand their needs, as well as checking eligibility criteria.

Please see below of contact details for each local authority area:

East Dunbartonshire – Contact countmein@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0808 171 3030

East Renfrewshire – Contact adult.learning@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or call 01415 773454

Glasgow Life – Contact glasgowslearning@glasgowlife.co.uk or call 0808 171 3030

Inverclyde – Contact CLD.Admin@inverclyde.gov.uk or call 01475 715450

North Lanarkshire – Contact TPMultiply@northlan.gov.uk or call 01698 332551

South Lanarkshire – Contact numeracy.enquiries@slc.co.uk or call 0808 171 3030

Renfrewshire – Contact sandra.brown@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 07811 054565

West Dunbartonshire – Contact CLD@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or call 01389 738775

What if you start a course and you are not able to complete it?

We recognise that sometimes challenges can get in our way, whether this is changes in personal circumstances, family, work, or anything in between. We have dedicated teams and resources across the Glasgow City Region, who will be on hand to offer guidance on what we can do to support.

Can you deliver group information sessions to our employees or organisation?

This is something that can be explored, please contact our Multiply Engagement Officer, Nicola Pirie to discuss – nicola.pirie@glasgow.gov.uk