7th February, 2012

Kidderminster

Kidderminster Centre is running an Afternoon Activity Club which is for 14+ year olds with learning difficulties and other associated barriers to education and training.  It will be running every Thursday (excluding half term week) to the end of March 2012.

We will also be running a half term holiday club from 13th to 17th February.  Again this is for 14+ year olds with learning difficulties and other barriers and will involve dance, woodwork and pottery.  Please see attached for more information.

We are looking to recruit a new beautician to train young people in our salon on a part time basis.  We are looking for someone with level 2 beauty qualifications and experience of training.

We are also looking to recruit a trainer to work in Bromsgrove and Redditch to deliver parenting skills to young mums.  A background in child care and previous training experience is advantageous. Please see attached for more information. 

Evesham

The centre is about to embark on the delivery of two new programmes for young people who wish to develop their prospects.

The “Independent Living Programme” is aimed, as the title suggests, at all young people who live independently. It will include developing skills such as managing money, healthy living and lots of other helpful ideas to help you to live a happy independent life.

The second is “The Chrysalis Project”. Aimed primarily at young women to develop their skills both personally and socially and empower them in the modern world. The sessions will include Assertiveness, Healthy living, Dealing with problems and many other useful skills. Although the project is being set up initially for young women this will be extended to young men and the groups will be held separately.

There is only one entry requirement and that is the young person has to be between the age of 16 and 19 years. Although in certain circumstances this can be increased to the age of 24 years.

If you are interested in any of the above please call us on08448156145. We look forward to meeting you.

17th January, 2012

Kidderminster

Numerous students on our Foundation Learning Programme have been working with Jo Corley, our Functional Skills Tutor, to achieved City & Guilds Qualifications in English and Maths at Entry 3 and/or Level 1.  Well done all!

We now have a ‘young parents/parents to be’ Foundation Learning programme running in Redditch, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster and Worcester.  These are for young people aged 16-24 who want to gain a qualification in parenting skills and join in a friendly, relaxed group of likeminded people.  For more information contact Emma (Redditch/Bromsgrove) on 07809 846 768 or Karen (Kidderminster/Worcester) on 07500 105 356.

A new Afternoon Activity club is starting on 26th January, 4pm to 6.30pm at our Kidderminster Site.  It will then run each Thursday until May.  It is for anyone aged 14+ with learning difficulties and other barriers to education and employment and will include art and crafts, practical skills workshops and leisure and social activities.  Please contact Sam for more information on 0844 815 6145 or email.

The Spring 2012 Edition of Club Beacon will soon be sent out to all Enterprise and Holiday/Activity Club members.  This will include newsletters from each of the projects.

A group of Foundation Learning client successfully achieved Level 1 in Art and Design – Well done!

The Foundation Learning Group and the Social Enterprise Project joined together to enjoy a Christmas dinner. 

Thank you to Lynne and her band of workers for making this possible

The Foundation Learning group and the Social Enterprise Project receiving a  present off Santa 

Bridgnorth

We are pleased to celebrate the success of two of our Foundation Learning Clients; Scott  who secured employment in the care industry and Natalie who started a job in catering.

The Youth Express programme has had an eventful month too which finished with a trip to the Old Vicarage to do Quad Biking and Buggy driving. All the participants enjoyed it immensely, with one learner saying "It's been the best day of my life!".

Lye

During the month of December Beacon advertised for a young administration apprenticeship. Interviews have now been conducted and the position will be in place by February 2012, giving a young person a fantastic career opportunity working within the third party sector and the opportunity to gain a qualification in business administration.

The Work Programme Team placed a high percentage of their clients into sustainable employment, a very proud achievement for the centre as a lot of these clients certainly had one of the best Christmas periods that they have had for a few years. Congratulations to all of our clients who have secured employment we wish you all the very best.

During January the Foundation Learning team are looking to introduce two new qualifications for our learners to complete, these will be personal and social development and Personal effectiveness.

Evesham:

13th December, 2011

Our centre in Evesham has moved to larger, brighter premises. We are now situated at :

103 High Street, Evesham

We are still located very close to the town centre, approximately two minutes walk. We ow have a dedicated ICT suite and inviting training rooms as well as other improvements, enabling us to give a first class service to all of our customers.

We currently have two programmes which we run from the centre. There are "The Work Programme" where we support the unemployed back into work. We offer support for up to two years not only to the customer but also to the employer. All of our customers are able to be seen on a one to one basis in private offices to discuss their needs and requirements. We also hold group sessions, were appropriate, to enable people to share thoughts and ideas.

Our customers are also invited to drop in and use our ICT facilities to enable their job search and applications which they may wish to complete. This programme is for anyone aged 18+ who have been unemployed for twelve months or more. If you are interested pease speak to the Job centre or feel free to call in and see us.

The second programme we run is "Foundation Learning". This programme is to assist young people between 16 and 24 to learn new skills and prepare for work. We run qualifications and other activities to help support any needs these young people have. For example interview techniques, CV building, improving Maths, English and ICT skills as well as confidence and self esteem building. We are currently trying to introduce new activities to assist young people. If you have any ideas, suggestions or would be interested in joining us please call in and see us at the above address.

and...

Bridgnorth has had six young people leave recently, all but one into employment which is a great achievement and all with a range of qualifications to raise their skills and help them on their way. Leavers stated that the support that Beacon has been able to offer them has given them the confidence and skills that they needed.

11th December, 2011

Recently Beacon Celebrated the cultures and values of our organisation by holding a Grand Award Ceremony for all clients that attend. The ceremony was action packed and the categories celebrated achievements such as "The Shining Light Award" for someone that inspired others by their actions, "The most supportive staff member" and "The most friendly and welcoming" for the person who makes the most effort to make others feel welcome.

Beacon values every client that attends its centres and installs the ethos of working as a team. Ths was celebrated by "The best team player" award. The whole event was thought up and delivered by the learners that attend the Foundation Learning Programme within Kidderminster centre. These include Dennis Shuck, Kieran Hooper, Emma Pearson, Jade Barnes, Luke Taylor, Mark Foster, Kieran Lightwood, Sonny Roberts, Dan Hudson and Ryan Sanders.

These learners have worked extremely hard over a 6 week period to pull off a very successful event. Over 80 guests arrived and enjoyed live singing, a presentation, a well-built stage and set, a luxurious red carpet and a buffet!

The learners involved have promised that this is just a taste of the events to come!

10th Nov, 2011

Beacon Trustees and Chief Executive have been meeting with MP’s to alert them to the difficulties the Third Sector are having because of changes to contracting methodologies and how this is at odds with the Government’s vision of the Big Society.  Mark Garnier, MP for the Wyre Forest will be asking questions in Parliament after meeting with Sandy Beech, Chief Executive and Terry Lawless, Chair of Trustees.

New courses coming to Beacon

Effective Parenting will soon be running in Redditch, Droitwich and Bromsgrove.  This course is aimed at 16 to 18 year olds who are expectant or young parents.  For more information contact Emma (07809846768) or Karen (07500105356) or email emmafisher@beaconemployment.org.uk.

A Salon Skills Course will be running 4pm to 5.30pm from 2nd November to 7th December.  Learn techniques in hand massage, hair curling/straightening, nail art and make up.  All for £7.50 per session. The course is available to anyone over the age of 14 but is predominantly aimed at people with Learning Difficulties/disabilities.

• Sin commencing an Apprenticeship with us. Sin had been on the Foundation Learning programme as a learner. Her confidence and self esteem had grown and she felt ready to commence employment. We were in a position to offer Sin an Apprenticeship in Administration as an employee. Sin embraced the challenge and is an assett to the centre.

Kidderminster hosts first Beacon Club night

Kidderminster Centre is hosting its first Club Beacon night on Thursday 15th September, 5.30 to 8pm.  The evening will be a pizza, popcorn and film night and is open to any client who has attended one of our holiday clubs, or accesses the Enterprise Projects (Pack It, MST, Granary, Splinters).  There is a small charge of £2 to cover cost of food and drinks.

Please speak to Sam Crabtree for more information or to book a place.