Development Projects
Development projects
At Enable, breaking down barriers between service users and their communities is a priority.
It may be by inviting neighbours to coffee mornings or other events in our residential homes; or supporting service users who want to volunteer for community-facing activities; or taking part in local projects that help our service users to increase their independence and employability.
Sandra helps in the office
Two recent projects - the ENACT and WOW projects - were designed to build up the confidence and presentation skills of service users. These skills were developed in the Enter-Train course, where service users trained to act as trainers in their own right. This was a great success and the participants will shortly present their experiences to the 2011 AGM.
ENACT Project
This was a 12 week training programme to develop service users' self esteem, motivation, initiative, listening skills, and independence.
It included a half-day training session at Ellen House and one-and-a-half days of work experience at The JT Project, Occasions Catering, or The Edge Shop.
The Service User Forum applied for funding for the project through Nottinghamshire CVS, and it is funded by ESF/LSC.
All ten of the service users who enrolled have now completed their Moving and Handling Loads and Basic Food Hygiene courses.
Service users helping on the Peak Rail project
WOW (or 'What Other Way?') Project
This is a pilot project funded through the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NDLC) Fund. It is an opportunity to build the capacity and skills of people with learning difficulties. Its aim is to establish the potential for a user-led training enterprise for adults with learning difficulties.
The Project is enabling 24 people with learning difficulties to develop their confidence and presentation skills. It is designed to enhance their ability to present themselves to local employers and voluntary organisations. This will make them better placed to step into voluntary work or supported self-employment.
Participants in the WOW Speak-Up programme will create a series of playlets. These aim to raise awareness of issues confronting people with learning difficulties, and to promote positive images of them as citizens in the community.
The WOW Speak-Up programme also includes a range of experimental learning and coaching workshops. These workshops help to develop learners' confidence, communication skills, assertiveness, team work, presentation and interpersonal skills.
The programme includes filmed elements, both as learning tools and to increase opportunities for marketing and interactive discussion during the presentations.
Additional marketing skills workshops will expand on this and develop skills and strategies to market the playlets to a variety of organisations and schools in the community.
Making pottery
The WOW Speak-Up Project outline was recently presented at the Service User Forum AGM. It received an enthusiastic response with people keen to participate in the production of plays and the development of confidence and presentation skills.
For further information please contact
The Assistant Director for Day Services
The Enable Group, Ellen House
Heath Road, Holmewood
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S42 5RB
email days@enable-group.org.uk (please put Development Projects in the subject line).
