Project Search Monthly

Transcription

1 Project Search Monthly Project SEARCH Newsletter March 2016 Index Rotation 3 internships Past Events Future Events Shout Out Page

2 Project Search 3rd Rotations Interns Buddy Supervisor Intern Role Department Location Andrew O Donnell Jim Macdonald Andy Buchan Security/Mail Warden Security Services John Anderson Building (Royal College Kieran Friel Adam Beesley David Fairbairn Building) Handyperson Residences Thomas Campbell Building Jonathan Gaw Kwaby Arthur Wendy Bear Stack assistant Gurdeep Sidhu Catriona Fiona Receptionist Murray Drummond Andersonian Library Social Work & Social Policy Course Support Team Curran building Lord Hope Building, Level 6 Matthew McLean Andrew Guy Cameron Connolly Michael Hughes Michelle Oates Gillian Stott Michael Hughes Janet Riddell John McKernan Joyce Babes Cleaning Cleaning Commis chef Catering Lord Todd Aroma Café Admin HaSS Lord Hope Building Assistant Education Level 5 Support Team Curran Building Services Blair Simpson Jim Freeman John Wylie Logistics and Hospitality Assistant Catering Lord Todd Building Christie Gillen Lauren Beattie Helen Admin Business Sir William Duncan Templar assistant School Building Sarah Rennie _ This is a list of our placements, buddies/supervisors and departments around the University of Strathclyde that we are working in on our third rotations of Project SEARCH Blair Simpson has been employed part-time as a food and beverage assistant within the University of Strathclyde. His hours are Thursday and Friday so he continues to attend his rotation (and classroom) Monday to Wednesday so we can support him to find another part time job that will fit around the hours of his current job. Christie Gillen started her third rotation but left the classroom/rotation setting early as she started her new job on Tuesday 29 th March with Skills Development Scotland as an administration assistant. We will continue to support her if/when required. Sarah Rennie has already been employed as a kitchen and cleaning assistant within the University of Strathclyde so is not doing a third rotation. However, we continue to monitor her progress and are available if required to offer/provide support.

3 The group (including Siobhan and Rowan) visited the Hilton Glasgow hotel. We were greeted by Mr. Daniel Van Wyk, the hotel manager who introduced us all to his colleagues while at the same time spoiling us all with an afternoon tea. The colleagues explained their roles and the different opportunities available in a large scale hospitality environment. After this, we were spilt into two groups and given a guided tour of the hotel and its facilities. We would like to extend our appreciation to all the Hilton staff who took time to talk to us. Siobhan and Rowan, along with Ryan Kelly (one of last year s interns) and Andrew O Donnell went to the Scottish Commission for Learning Difficulties conference at the William Quarriers Epilepsy Centre on the 23rd March and gave presentations to 2 different workshops about Project SEARCH. Rowan and Siobhan explained what the course was about and what is expected of the interns on the course. Ryan and Andrew then gave their presentations on their experiences including what they found good/bad about it and what they gained from being in a real-life working environment. The interns were visited by Mari Poikolainen from Tampere Adult Education Centre in Finland. This was arranged by Christine Palmer from the City of Glasgow College Industry academy. Mari enjoyed talking to the interns and learning about their experiences.

4 Mindfulness sessions continued there are only 2 more to go now those who have been attending have been saying positive things about their experiences. We had a visit from Sandy Beer from Project SEARCH Europe, who carried out our Continuous Improvement Review she chatted to us and visited some of us in our rotations. We are happy to report that we are doing well and Sandy is happy with how things are running. Two of our interns (one past Hannah Brown and one present- Blair Simpson 3 rd on the right) took part in an event on Monday 21st March 2016 to help raise awareness of and funds for the Culinary Ability Awards which is a competition for people with a variety of disabilities at trainee level in the hospitality sector focusing on their abilities working in the industry. This event took place at Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery and was a great success. The Culinary Ability Awards was founded by Chris Sandford in 2005, the Awards are now in their 11th year and still growing from strength to strength. Teaming up with Business Developer Mona Leone and the European project Zero Barriers, they are now completing the accreditation cycle with SQA to start providing the new Culinary Ability Award as a qualification to young adults with disabilities. PS staff have started to interview applicants for next year s course. Applications are still being accepted through the City of Glasgow College website.

5 April FUTURE EVENTS 4 th 15 th interns on holiday (Spring break). Siobhan is also off for the two weeks but Rowan will be in for 2 days each week. 18 th Autism awareness training for University staff. This will be delivered again by staff from Autism Network Scotland. 18 th 22nd Final Employment planning meetings take place this week, most on Tuesday and Thursday. 21 st We are hosting two French Erasmus visitors who will be visiting us in the afternoon after our rotations. This has been arranged by Christine Palmer from the City of Glasgow College Industry Academy. We will be sharing information about the course and giving presentations about our rotations. 25 th Visit from Linda Soutar from Sir Robert McAlpine, to do more mock interviews. 26 th There will be more college interviews for applicants for the academic year (year 3 of our Project SEARCH). If interested, apply through the City of Glasgow College website. 27 th this is the possible date for a follow up visit to Waitrose in Byres Road for a small number of interns (including one from the PS NHS site) It is hoped that a Food hygiene course will also be delivered in April, by the University, for those interns who are looking for a job in the catering field. The date has still to be confirmed.

6 STAFF COMMENTS I have to own up to helping with/inputting to this edition of the newsletter as the interns have been very busy with lots of job searching, employer visits and starting their new (and final) rotations. Interns are having a well-earned break for the next two weeks but still need to do job searching. They have been told this but can I ask parents to encourage their young person to do this at least every second day for about half an hour. Rowan will be in the University 2 days each week so if they have any questions they can send Rowan an and she will get in touch. We don t want them to miss out on any opportunities just because they are on holiday. Those interns who have applications in to employers need to check their daily in case they hear anything about possible interviews. Reminder for parents the young person s final EPM takes place on their return after their Spring Break. They should have confirmed the date/time with you already. We hope everyone enjoys the holidays and we ll return after the break ready for the final run down to graduation on Friday 3 rd June. KEEP JOB SEARCHING!!! Congratulations and good luck Blair Simpson and Christie Gillen started their jobs this month good luck to both. We ll see you on graduation day don t forget to ask for 3 rd June as a holiday!! (Remember we ll be checking in to make sure things are going well)

7 Thanks to the following people for supporting our Project Search - Hilton Hotel Thanks to Mr. Daniel Van Wyk and team at the Hilton for allowing PS staff and interns to visit the premises, meet staff and have a tour of the building. Sandy Beer Thanks to Sandy from PS Europe, who came to see how the course is run and make suggestions to improve the course, moving forward. Thanks to all the University staff, past interns and parents for taking the time to speak to Sandy and share your experiences. Christina Crawley Thanks to Christina Crawley (HR at University of Strathclyde) for holding mock interviews with 2 interns as they had an upcoming job interview. Christine Palmer/Mari Poikolainen Thanks to both for coming and listening to what the interns had to say about their second rotations (which they presented using MyCity). Thanks also to Annie Watson from Autism Network Scotland for her continued support, both with interns and with the preparations for the graduation ceremony on Friday 3 rd June.