Jobs Fair in Muirhouse

Muirhouse Library and Shopping Centre will host an Employment and Learning Fair between 10.30am and 1.30pm this Thursday (14 May).

The event is aimed at both adult jobseekers and young people looking for advice and support to get into work or learning in North Edinburgh. Organisations attending the event will include employability providers from the local area as well as employers with vacancies to fill.

Community Renewal is one of the organisations involved in the jobs fair, and emplyment adviser Diana said: “Previous events have resulted in jobseekers securing interviews on the spot so jobseekers are advised to come prepared with CVs and dressed to impress!”

Everyone Together at North Edinburgh Arts

Colleagues,

I attach the flyer for the Everyone Together course that is due to start next Wednesday (29 April). I’d be grateful if you could draw it to the attention of any staff who are or might be involved in implementing Self Directed Support with children and families.

The course is designed so that staff and families can learn together about how self directed support can be used to build on family strengths and ensure that they are fully included in deciding the kinds of services and provisions that could make a difference for them.

The course is highly interactive and participative and has been developed with people who use services as well as those who deliver.

If staff are interested but unable to make the dates, I’d be grateful if they could register an interest so that we can look at running this in a different way.

There will be an exhibition in the Community Shop in Pennywell Road over the next few days giving more information about self directed support.

Everyone Together flyer final draft

Christine Mackay

Manager – Total Craigroyston

Telephone 529 7054

christine.mackay@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Book your seat at PCHP exercise training course

This weekend (Sat 18th & Sun 19th April) Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) are very excited to be piloting a brand new ‘Seated Exercise Training Course’.

This has been developed by PCHP’s Physical Activity Development Worker in partnership with Specialist Instructors and Physiotherapists, in response to long term local need in North Edinburgh (and beyond).

For a number of years the physical activity development work at the PCHP has identified (and attempted to fill) a gap in the provision of regular physical activity for older people in residential homes, sheltered housing and lunch clubs. We strongly believe that every older person should have access to regular and FREE activity sessions that will maintain functionality and improve quality of life.

Please share this around your networks, there are still 3 or 4 spaces available on the training and it would be a real shame to see them go to waste!

Furthermore, since this is the first pilot it is FREE OF CHARGE!

Do you or someone you know work with (or would like to work with) older adults in North Edinburgh?

Do you or someone you know have an interest in and appreciation of the importance of keeping active in later life?

Are you interested in learning about the effects of ageing on the body and how this impacts health?

Would you like to gain new skills and knowledge around leading activity sessions for specialist groups?

Would you like to volunteer to deliver seated exercise sessions in North Edinburgh that might improve the health of older people?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions then this training might be just what you are looking for!

The training will be taking place at Pilton Community Health Project as follows:

Sat 18^th April 9.30am-3.45pm

Sun 19^th Apr 10.00am-3.15pm

If you are interested in taking part then please get in touch with liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk or call 0131 551 1671 asap to secure your place!

Healthy regards

Lianne Pipskyj (Development Worker – Physical Activity)

Pilton Community Health Project

73 Boswall Parkway Edinburgh, EH5 2PW

0131 551 1671

liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk

www.pchp.org.uk

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Working It Out with Tomorrow’s People

Tomorrow’s People are taking referrals for their next Working It Out course that starts this month. The Working It Out course supports unemployed young people – 16-24 yrs – to gain experience and build skills to enter into further training or employment.

Every course is made up of 14 young people, with the majority of the programme spent working on community challenges. These challenges help build a young person’s employability skills, experience, team-work skills and self-esteem.

The challenges benefit the local community and give an opportunity for young people to be seen doing something positive in their local community.

Recent challenges have included:

Painting the offices of the MS Therapy Centre, Leith
Building and maintaining Pilton Community Garden,
Applying anti-climb paint to roofs of Pilton Equalities Project,
Conservation work at Hopetoun House and South Queensferry
Painting the sports area at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Assisting in the building and maintaining of Cyclone Gipsy Brae Trails Mountain Bike Track
Landscaping and planting trees as part of the North Edinburgh Grows project
Painting the visitors centre at Glenkinchie Whiskey Distillery, East Lothian.

The programme runs for 16 weeks – places are limited but young people living in North Edinburgh are prioritised.

For further information telephone 0798 066 9019 or email wio.edinburgh@tomorrows-people.co.uk

Working-it-Out-Information-Sheet

All together now

‘Inspirational’ new course coming to North Edinburgh

everyonetogether

Big changes are happening in Scotland about how families who need support are offered it. This is called Self Directed Support. The idea is that families and communities can have more say and control over the types of support they are offered.

Total Craigroyston and Muirhouse Link Up are working with Diversity Matters to run ‘Everyone Together’, a course for everyone involved with children and families in Pilton and Muirhouse – social workers, community workers, support workers, people who need support, families, friends, neighbours, local community leaders and others.

We know that there is a huge variety of skills amongst us: families, communities and workers. By sharing skills and working together we can help families live well. Come and find out how the new changes can help us do things better.

The course will run from 9.30am to 2pm in

North Edinburgh Arts Centre on the following dates:

Wednesday 29 April – Building the right kind of relationships

Wednesday 6 May – What do we need? Identifying local services

Wednesday 13 May – Creating local networks to help us work together.

Interested? Contact Tracey Devenney at Total Craigroyston for more info and to book a place:call 529 5073 or email tracey.devenney@edinburgh.gov.uk

Everyone Together has been developed by Diversity Matters and is funded by the Scottish Government to help develop the use of Self Directed Support.

We have run 12 events in the last year in different parts of Scotland – read more at everyone-together.org

Ministers mark National Apprentice Week

National Apprenticeship Week 2015 activity got off to a flying start on Monday when apprentices from across London met Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable, at the London Eye, marking the official launch event of the week.

The event took place in the wake of research from economists at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), showing that millions of consumers would prefer to do business with apprentice employers.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The benefits of apprenticeships are clear – they make a vital contribution to the economy, boost business productivity and give people the skills they need to get on in the world of work.

“As this research shows, there has been an important shift in the attitudes towards apprenticeships with businesses, consumers, and young people recognising the significant opportunities they can offer.

On Tuesday Jason Holt CBE hosted an event at the House of Commons showcasing the products and services made by apprentices at small to medium-sized enterprises and featuring speeches from political and business leaders. Jason also officially launched ApprenticeMakers, a peer support service for small businesses interested in taking on apprentices.

The event featured exhibitions from SMEs, including: Heartplus, John O’Conner Ltd, The Bridal Gallery, Mike Rowland and Son, Blue Moon Creative Ltd, Michael Taite, Jonny’s Sister Ltd, K&M McLoughlin Decorating Ltd, Promo 2 U Limited, Holition and Optimity.

On Wednesday evening, the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg (top), welcomed employers and apprentices from the finance, legal and insurance services sectors at a reception in Whitehall. Skills Funding Agency executive director, Keith Smith, was accompanied to the event by an SFA apprentice who works in the legal team.

A catwalk-themed reception for Trailblazer employers was held yesterday at Elstree film studios, in partnership with the British Fashion Council, as a ‘thank you’ for the employers’ work in designing and implementing new apprenticeship standards.

Skills and Equalities Minister, Nick Boles, MP (above) said: This week is a time to celebrate the employers, young people and adults from across the country that are making apprenticeships such a success.”

Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training

MVP Training

Tuesday 24 March 10am-1pm

Pilton Community Health Project

You might have seen the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme in the news last week, when the Justice Secretary Michael Matheson visited Craigroyston Community High School to find out more about the training for High School students, which has a proven track of promoting a positive climate and reducing bullying and other violent behaviour in both schools and communities (writes Rachel Farrier).

The minister’s visit was featured on the NEN’s blog on 5 March (‘Craigroyston initiative tackles bullying and violence’)

We are really fortunate to have this highly-acclaimed training going on in our area, and there is a one-off session which has been adapted for adults happening on 24 March 10am-1pm here at Pilton Community Health Project which you can still book a place for – but space is limited so please let Rachel at PCHP know ASAP if you would like to come along, and do let her know if you might need childcare.

It is open to anyone from the local community, as well as those working professionally in the area.

The training uses a ‘bystander approach’ which helps individuals to work out practical and viable responses when they encounter harassment, abuse or violence – both aimed at themselves and others. You can read more about the programme in Scotland here (scroll down the page to find out about MVP).

Call Rachel on 551 671 or email lih@pchp.org.uk to book a place.

Getting it right for children affected by parental substance misuse

There’s still time to book your place on the CAPSM training course running on Tuesday 31 March at Spartans Community Football Academy.

This course is suitable for anyone working with parents with problem substance use, or their children. This will include Early Years Practitioners, schools staff, voluntary sector, adult treatment services, social work, youth and community workers.

See above for more details.

Inspiring Young Women: be all you can be

Major event at Holyrood this month

Inspiring young women to be the best that they can be is the key focus of a major event being held at Holyrood on Monday 23 March, hosted by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP.

Announced as part of the Presiding Officer’s Time for Reflection address to the Scottish Parliament on 23 September 2014, the event will bring together 128 young women from across Scotland. It has been designed to encourage young women to develop the confidence and leadership skills needed to help them to achieve.

The Presiding Officer said: “The referendum demonstrated to the world that young people can and should play a full role in determining the future of their countries. This is right and proper. As the Scottish Parliament is led by its first female Presiding Officer with women in key political positions, we have a golden moment now to encourage this generation of young women.

“On 23 March, I have invited young women from schools across Scotland to come to Holyrood. We will explore what it means to be a young woman in Scotland today, what inspires them, what holds them back and what their hopes are for the future.”

Exploring themes of confidence, leadership and barriers that hold young women back from being the best they can be, the young women will meet with and have the opportunity to question female MSPs who are playing leading roles in their parties.

MSPs joining the Presiding Officer on the day are: Leader of Scottish Labour in the Scottish Parliament Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson MSP, Business Manager and Spokesperson for Justice for the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alison McInnes MSP and Scottish Greens’ spokesperson on sport, rural affairs, environment, culture and education Alison Johnstone MSP. Also participating in the day will be key figures in the fields of arts, industry, sport and public life.

Speaking of her own personal commitment, Mrs Marwick MSP said: “All young women should have the confidence to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. I am determined to play my role in making sure the Scottish Parliament is a place that encourages them and positively impacts on how they see themselves.”

Thirty-two schools across Scotland (one in each local authority area) will each send four young women to attend the Inspiring Young Women event at Holyrood Scottish Parliament staff are working closely with the S4 and S5 year group pupils ahead of the event to ensure they get the best from their time on the day.

Schools taking part are:

Aberdeen City – Torry Academy
Aberdeenshire – Peterhead Academy
Angus – Arbroath Academy
Argyll & Bute – Dunoon Grammar School
Clackmannanshire – Alloa Academy
Dumfries & Galloway – Maxwelltown High School
Dundee City – Off-site Education Service
East Ayrshire – Doon Academy
East Dunbartonshire – Boclair Academy
East Lothian – Preston Lodge High School
East Renfrewshire – Barrhead High School
Edinburgh City – Castlebrae Community High School
Eilean Siar – Sgoil Lionacleit
Falkirk – Falkirk High School
Fife – Auchmuty High School
Glasgow City – Springburn Academy
Highland – Inverness High School
Inverclyde – St Stephen’s High School
Midlothian – Newbattle High School
Moray – Forres Academy
North Ayrshire – Irvine Royal Academy
North Lanarkshire – Braidhurst High School
Orkney Islands – Stromness Academy
Perth & Kinross – Perth Academy School
Renfrewshire – Castlehead High School
Scottish Borders – Hawick High School
Shetland Islands – Anderson High School
South Ayrshire – Ayr Academy
South Lanarkshire – John Ogilvie High School
Stirling – Wallace High School
West Dunbartonshire – St Peter the Apostle High School
West Lothian – St Kentigern’s Academy

Funding for trainees in creative industries

£100,000 funding has been awarded through Creative Scotland to support ten full time, year-long traineeships across the arts, screen and creative industries, it was announced today.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop in Hawthornvale will be one of the five capital-based organisations to offer traineeships.

The Traineeships Programme aims to support the employment prospects for people aged 20-30yrs interested in developing a career in arts and culture, by creating valuable work experience opportunities.

Traineeships will take place at Africa In Motion (AiM) Film Festival, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Media Education, Starcatchers and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) in Edinburgh; GMAC Film and Barrowland Ballet in Glasgow; Ayr Gaiety Theatre in Ayrshire; The Pier Arts Centre in Orkney, and with Jewellery designer Eileen Gatt in the Highlands.

Leonie Bell, Director of Arts & Engagement, Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is committed to supporting the creation of opportunities for young people to gain employment, work experience and vocational qualifications in the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland.

“These traineeships will offer young people the opportunity to develop the skills and professional experience needed to progress in their chosen profession by removing barriers to paid work experience.

“At the same time, organisations will benefit from fresh, innovative ideas and enthusiasm of the trainees.”

Traineeships will be offered across the following areas:

Visual Arts
Assistant Curator (Programme Team) – Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
Gallery Programmes Trainee: Exhibitions, Learning & Digital (Curatorial and Education) – The Pier Arts Centre

Film
Shadow Curator – Africa In Motion (AiM) Film Festival
Online Film Content Developer – GMAC Film
Trainee Project Assistant / Member of Production Team – Media Education

Theatre and Dance
Starcatchers Trainee Associate Artist – Starcatchers Productions
Programme Officer (Programming Department) – Ayr Gaiety
Dance Participation Artist, Participation and Outreach Department – Barrowland Ballet

Craft
Eileen Gatt: Jewellery designer/maker

Literature
Digital and Language Resources Trainee – TRACS based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

All Traineeships will be advertised on Creative Scotland’s Opportunities site.

Welcoming the announcement Irene Kernan, Director at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, said: “The Creative Scotland Traineeship will support Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s aims of developing talent and supporting young artists in their careers. Being able to employ a trainee for a full year provides a valuable opportunity for us to bring new approaches and skills to the staff team and further develop our public programme to connect with local audiences.”