At their best, adult community learning partnerships not only offer the least educated adults a second chance, they can motivate a whole community by developing a culture of learning. Critical to success is careful planning to meet the needs of individuals and groups of learners, especially those who have been away from learning for many years. At times when resources are shrinking, one needs innovative and cost-effective ways to support older people to maintain independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment, and dignity as set out within the United Nation's principles for older people. The author suggests that these should be at the heart of planning.