The ARCH
George
(Project Coordinator)
Is it web update time again??!!
Update: for current news and photos please log
on to our Bebo site at http://www.bebo.com/TheArch2008
Last year was our most successful yet for tenants
moving on in a planned manner and we are well
on our way to the goal of 60% planned exits. Also
three of our tenants moved on and successfully
gained full access to their kids (5 in total)
which was tremendously rewarding. 2 also moved
on to full time employment with in social care.
We still have a steady flow of men showing Interest
in matters of faith; this is down to the appropriateness
& skill of staff by presenting God in a good
sound manner.
The second half of last year saw Michael move
on and our student placement at the time Paul
take Michael’s post, Paul is a former service
user here so he brings tremendous empathy &
experience coupled with sociable personality,
team spirit and good humour so this for us was
an excellent appointment and directly in line
with our ethos here at the ARCH.
Next to move on was Alan, while we were sad to
see him go it did lead to us re-establish an old
connection with Sharon – Marie who was an
H.N.C, student placement here 2 years ago while
studying at the Glasgow Nautical College. Sharon
- Marie came on board in December and it was like
she never left! Sharon – Marie brings a
blend of excellent communication/administration
skills, forward thinking, academic ability &
commitment to our cause. She has revitalised the
place with staff & service users alike all
commenting on the positivity that Sharon –
Marie has brought to the ARCH, so once again,
a great appointment for us.
December 2008 also saw the ARCH successfully
achieve Investors in people on first attempt which
was a tremendous achievement, the I.I.P. assessor
could not help but pick up on the sense of unity,
compassion, respect and spirit of empowerment
that exists here at the ARCH and was thoroughly
won over by us, so well done to everyone for this.
And lastly we were able to access some external
funding and build our purpose built I.T. Suite
which is well used, modern, professional looking
and a great asset to the ARCH.
As for me I am pressing on towards the goal &
as always am delighted to Deputise for Craig and
assist him in steering us into an even more fruitful
year in 2009 that will be full of success, salvation
and growth.
JOHN WILLIAMS
My name is John, for those who know me, will know
I'm the live -in support worker at the Arch; a
privilege I've had now for nearly 7yrs. During
my tenure, I think the saying "never a dull
moment" would be apt: I've witnessed change
in action, not only with the men who have used
our service: which is great to see, but also with
the Arch itself and the way we deliver the service.
It has also been exciting to see staff change
too, thankfully I haven't been left out from all
this change, having just added a Certificate in
counseling skills to my HNC and SVQ and feel I'm
putting to good use what I've learned through
these courses.
CLARE MILLAR
Hey all.
I Clare Millar have been at the Arch now since
October 2008, im currently studying for my HNC
in Social Care and on placement here 2 days per
week. I Love it here; get on great with all the
other support workers and the tenants alike. Everyone
here has made me feel very welcome and the ongoing
support I get both with the experience here and
my studies has been superb. When I initially started
my course I wanted to work with children, however
having worked here my feelings have now changed
and would now like to work in resettlement.
I would like to thank the managers, support workers
and the tenants here for this great opportunity.
PAUL FARRELL
Hi folks, update time again! Well since my last
update there has been lots of progression both
in my own career and within the Arch as a whole.
Since the 16th of June 08 I have been a full time
member of the staff team! During this time other
staff members have joined us and brought there
own individual quality's to the team which has
all contributed towards and a great place to work
and more importantly a great place for our residents
to live! on a personal note at the beginning of
this year I successfully completed my SVQ level
111 in social care which has giving me valuable
experience and insight about the care and support
that all tenants within the Arch deserve. This
coupled with the on-going training and support
from our management team has giving me the confidence
to go forward and deliver this support in a person
centered manner putting our tenants at the forefront
of everything we do
SHARON – MARIE CAIN
Hi guys I'm Sharon-Marie and I am the newest member
of the team here at The Arch. I began my journey
with The Arch two years ago when I was a HNC student.
At the end of last year I was lucky enough to
have the opportunity to become a full time member
of staff. My time so far has been great and I
feel that it is that by working with such an experienced
committed team that I can only grow as social
care worker. The team and tenants are a pleasure
to work with and have made my time so far comfortable
and easy to fit in. The Arch offers a great opportunities
for their staff and service users and I am honored
to part of a team that are fully committed in
providing a service that is often forgot. I would
like to take this time to thank everyone involved
for making me feel welcome and a valued member
of the team.
Thank you
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_______________________________________________________________________________________
Gilven
projects
Gilven Update for
December
Staff
All of our staff are now qualified
to SSSC standards and are ready for registration
in 2009. Our recent Care Commission Inspection
recognised that we had a well qualified, professional
and motivated staff team and graded us a 6 (‘Excellent’)
in this Standard Statement, with an overall 5
(‘Very Good’).
Well done to everyone?
We have recently employed Bert Thomson as our
Full Time Employability Worker (Temp) and Sandra
Hotchkies has returned to us as our new Funky
Flats Worker (10 hrs). we are seeking funding
to extend Bert’s post after March 31st 2009.
It has been refreshing to have a new, male, employee
in the team; Bert has settled in very well and
has brought a different dynamic to the project.
Bert will start working through modules to complete
an HNC in Working with Communities.
Alyson our BA3 Com Ed completed her placement
at the end of December, she had a very successful
productive final placement with us, Beth Williams,
BA1 Com Ed, started with us today she will work
Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays mainly with the
Employability Team.
Laura Balfour our Employability Coordinator will
hopefully be mainstreamed through the Fife Homeless
Group to coordinate homeless employability together
with Frontline Fife.
Events
3 of the young women from the hostel are starting
on a Princes Trust course and several of them
and the scatter flat service users are attending
college courses or working part time.
Both Glenrothes and Leslie Baptist donated gifts
which we distributed to all 22 residents. Leslie
Baptist also donated their offering from the watchnight
service.
Developments
Due to the current funding climate we are looking
for further opportunities to work together with
other local agencies. We are currently awaiting
a decision from the SCA Committee as to how to
take possible partnership forward
At present we are working with Frontline Fife
to develop a Fife Wide Employability service for
all homeless people, and the Gilven Employability
Project currently provides a service for the Glenrothes
YM/YWCA as well as the Gilven Projects.
We are still working closely with the Service
Users from the YMCA and can now tap into some
of the Sports funding they have. Sandra is working
with 2 people for Funky Flats and has started
a Funky Flat 'Taster Class' on a Tuesday evening.
We are also using personal development planning
and career counselling procedures to promote vocational
self-awareness and changed attitudes towards skill
development helping people present their assets,
as well as developing skills in writing CVs, and
application forms.
Our Employability worker, Bert, is planning an
Outward Bound trip through the ‘Look at
Life Course’ at Barry Budden Army training
centre. He has many other plans up his sleeve
and is proving an asset to the organisation with
a wealth of experience in this area.
We received an overall grading of 5 (very good)
from our recent Care Commission Inspection. No
requirements or recommendations but a few suggestions
which I have developed into an action plan.
Trish O’Brien
Gilven Project Manager
