Apprenticeship Success
Friday, 19th September 2008
Three Foyer residents have gained construction apprenticeships as part of an agreement between Stonham and Bell Group.
Layton, Eddy and Alex joined the E2E programme at the Foyer to gain support with social and personal barriers which prevented them from gaining employment. After completing training on building their confidence, motivation and basic skills they completed placements with MS Plastering. The experience of tiling, decorating and painting helped strengthen their applications to College and stabilise their lifestyles.
All three were accepted into Newcastle College to study the ICA Bell Group course and will be starting this September. On completion of this course they will start apprenticeships with Bell Group in April next year.
Layton and Alex have progressed from the Foyer to their own accommodation and are now living independently. All three are looking forward to starting their careers in the construction industry and gaining a valuable trade.
Layton says “I feel I have achieved my goals. I’ve got my own flat; I’m more settled and have a place at College doing something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Alex says “I can’t wait to get started. I know I’m capable of so much more.”
Michelle, a training officer who worked closely with the three lads, says “They have all improved on their confidence and motivation. They have changed so much since starting the E2E programme and I hope they keep up their good work.”
Constructing a Positive Attitude
Tuesday, 1st April 2008
Layton Sanderson is a resident at the Tyneside Foyer and joined the e2e programme 3 months ago. He had little motivation and needed extra support to build up his confidence. Layton said he was at a loss and unsure about what he wanted to do. He also needed support with basic skills. Layton feels he has really started to sort himself out. His attendance to training is 100%, he has passed his literacy level 1 qualification, gained a placement 4 days a week with a plastering and tiling company and applied for an apprenticeship with Bell Group and looks forward to a future in the construction industry. The staff at the Foyer are really pleased with Layton’s positive attitude. Layton said 'I want to get a good job, sort my finances out and get my own flat.'
Michael's Pathway to Progression
Tuesday, 11th March 2008
Michael Ernst came to the Foyer when he was made homeless in January following a family break down. He left school with no qualifications and didn't feel his school experience was very good. Michael himself recognised he needed to change his attitude and do something positive with his life. He joined the Foyers e2e programme to improve his literacy, numeracy and IT skills and to gain qualifications and work experience. With help from Inline, Michael got his own flat and staff at the Foyer helped him with independent living skills, time management and taking responsibility.
While on programme Michael achieved literacy, numeracy and IT qualifications as well as drug awareness and communication skills. He progressed to Zenos Academy in Cathedral Square to do IT and hopes to continue this career. Michael said ' I am working really hard and feel the Foyer helped me make the right decisions'.
George Preps Well for College
Tuesday, 11th March 2008
George Beard joined the P4P programme at the Foyer in July 2007. George needed extra support with literacy, numeracy, confidence and communication skills. He had previously worked on Rathbone's pre-16 programme where he had enjoyed a taster in catering. The staff at the Foyer found a placement in a small cafe who were very supportive and with the general public, Georges' confidence soon grew. He progressed on to e2e programme in September when his numeracy and literacy skills improved through regular 1 to 1 work. George is keen to go to college in September to carry on a career in hospitality. To do this, a new placement has been found for him to gain more practical experience and allow him to gain units towards an NVQ. The head chef, Ian said 'George has co-operated fully with everything asked of him in the first few weeks at Buffer Bear and is always punctual and polite'.
The Foyers’ Getting Crafty
Thursday, 10th January 2008
Rose Phillips has recently put 35 learners through craft courses to include, Patch Work, Silk Painting, Card Design and Glass Painting, all accredited by OCN at entry level and level 1. A large number of these qualifications were achieved by 10 learners with learning disabilities from the Wellford and Westerhope Day Centres.
Progressions on a High
Wednesday, 9th January 2008
E2e progression rates at the Foyer hit 80% against an LSC target of 54%. Hard work, persistence and good partnership working seem to be the key to our success.
Three Amigos
Thursday, 20th December 2007
Paul Ross, Louis Newton and Dean Patterson all progressed to college courses in January. All three had to improve on their literacy and numeracy skills to pass the CITB entrance exam do start a career in the construction industry. Dean and Louis achieved entry level 3 numeracy qualifications and Paul achieved his level 1 in both numeracy and literacy. Oakfield Solutions provided all learners with PPE which the learners and staff were very grateful for. The lads have popped in to see us and are all very positive about the courses they are on.
Foyer’s Successes!
Thursday, 20th December 2007
The training staff at the Tyneside Foyer attended their regional team day in December. They had to promote their service to colleagues from other Stonham projects across the North East and Cumbria. To do this they designed and wore T-shirts to promote their recent learner success stories and were all very proud and had a great day!
Michael 'Beefs' up a New Career
Friday, 14th December 2007
Michael Ross came to the Foyer on an Activity Agreement from Connexions. He was interested in warehousing; however Michael lacked confidence and was very quiet and nervous about traveling any distance.
Michael’s Key Worker, Michelle, found him a work placement at the Co-op on Newgate Street, Newcastle where he received great placement reviews. Michael also gained qualifications in Food Safety, Manual Handling, Emergency Aid and Literacy and Numeracy level 1.
Even when Michael became homeless he still attended his placement and never missed training, he continued tirelessly applying for jobs.
Michael’s persistence paid off. He now has a job with 'The Family Butcher' and has since returned home and loves his job. 'Its great to be on real money', he said. Well done Michael!
Foyer Staff Walk the World
Wednesday, 5th December 2007
Tyneside Foyer achieved the Healthy Business, Healthy People Award Bronze Award.
The award was developed by the Northumberland Care Trust to recognise workplaces that develop a sustainable culture of health and wellbeing and to achieve the Bronze status the staff at Tyneside Foyer participated in some innovative activities.
One of these being the 'Walk the World' pedometer challenge. Each staff member chose where in the world they wanted to go and counted their own steps to get there. One staff member used a rowing machine to get him across the Channel and staff sent each other postcards as they went on their journey.
Stress issues were also addressed through the provision of free massages to staff.
We are now aiming for the Silver award for November 2008 and for this the staff have to participate in at least 3 national campaigns, the focus being on individuals development to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Megan Builds a New Career
Monday, 19th November 2007
When Megan Raun first came to the e2e programme at the Foyer she was extremely quiet and made no eye contact with anyone.
To help her to overcome her confidence and self esteem issues, Megan spent several weeks at the centre working on her communication and employability skills after which she felt confident enough to interview for and secure an admin position with a company in Byker.
Megan now excels in her admin duties. She works on reception and provides customers service. Her manager Wendy even commented: “she has grown in confidence, fits in well with the team and is a very helpful young lady.” Way to go Megan!!!
Terry Rings the Changes
Monday, 19th November 2007
Terry Bell came to the Foyer’s e2e programme to improve his English, maths and IT skills. He also wanted to gain some work experience, develop his confidence and go on to college.
He worked on CLAIT, got some work experience at Foyer’s ICT centre, attended maths and English sessions and gained a level1 in literacy and level 2 in numeracy. Terry also flew through his health and safety, manual handling, first aid and food hygiene courses. With these qualifications Terry was able to gain a place on a Diploma in Applied Science course at Newcastle College.
“I still attend the Foyer to use the computers for my homework and to join in some of the activities with others. When I was at school I preferred to work on my own but since joining training I enjoy being in a group,” Says Terry.
Lynsey Gets Some Retail Therapy
Monday, 19th November 2007
Lynsey Ross came to the Foyer her GCSE’s were not the best. Her confidence and communication skills also needed boosting.
At first Lynsey wanted to do child care but opted for a placement with Sainsbury at the Team Valley. Her passion for fashion has since moved her to a placement at Ethel Austin in Byker.
Lynsey achieved her literacy and numeracy level 1 qualifications, food safety in retail, manual handling and emergency first aid. She has progressed to an apprenticeship in retail with Support Training in South Shields and is enjoying working at Ethel Austin’s. Her manager Alison said “Lynsey is showing great selling skills and has a good rapport with customers”.
Aaron is Cooking in Cork
Wednesday, 2th August 2007
Aaron was between homes when he arrived at the Foyer. He had no qualifications to get a job and felt that his life was in a mess. Anti-social behavior kept Aaron continuously in trouble. Despite his chaotic life he joined our e2e programme here at the Foyer with hopes of turning his life around.
Aaron received the help he needed with his maths, English and IT skills and was also able to improve his behavior by working closely with his training advisor at the Foyer and with other agencies.
Later Aaron was given the opportunity to prove himself in a city centre cafe. He soon realised the impact of his previous behavior and was grateful for the support he was given. He achieved loads of certificates and started to attend appointments with his YOT worker to help him stay out of trouble.
Aaron’s YOT worker and the training staff at the Foyer worked together to re-unite Aaron with his mother who had moved to Cork in Ireland. Aaron enrolled in a catering course with a national training company and is doing extremely well! He keeps in touch with staff at the Foyer through e-mail and is really pleased with the support he received. He said, "Without the support I got I probably would have ended up in prison."
Donna Clocks a Progression
Monday, 26th March 2007
Donna came to the Foyer after leaving a college course in beauty which she didn’t enjoy. She didn’t know in which direction to go and recognised she needed to improve her literacy and numeracy skills.
She also gained qualifications in Food Hygiene, First Aid and Health and Safety.
Donna decided to try a placement in Tic-Toc Nursery in Gateshead which she absolutely loves. She has just progressed to an apprenticeship with MCQ at Byker and Donna can stay on at the same nursery where she feels confident and gets on well with the staff.
Henrietta's Story
Monday, 12th March 2007
In November 2005 having fled Cameroon Henrietta came to UK as an Asylum Seeker. Social Services found her supported housing but she was homesick and lonely. In January 2006, Henrietta visited Connexions and was referred to Foyer as she had an interest in IT and needed support with independent living skills. Since then she has learned many new skills and achieved qualifications in Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and New CLAiT.
Last September Henrietta enrolled in a Health and Social Care Foundation Certificate course at Newcastle College. She wants to continue with her studies and plans to become a Social Worker so that she can help others who have been in similar situations to her own.
