News

Kibble creatives joined forces with Who Cares? Scotland to entertain delegates at the recent Time to [act]: Care Can Be Phenomenal event with an original play, ’Do You Want A Complaints Form, Son?’ Taking a humorous look at relationships in the care system, the play generated thought provoking discussion and raised questions for the audience to take back to their organisations.  Kibble’s Creative Arts Development Officer Gavin Sinclair, pupils Leanne McCormack and Michael Fowler, and the Who Cares? Scotland talent performed to a packed audience twice during the event and received rapturous applause.  One group of care professionals was so impressed they asked to use the script within their own organisation in Northern Ireland.

David Baird, Kibble’s Executive Director – Fostering and Community-based Services, was in attendance and commented: “The play was very well received with the audience unanimously rating it as very good/excellent.  I think it would be worth presenting it to care staff to help them reflect on how they could review the language they use and the structures that exist to make them less institutionalised and more child-centred.”

The event was organised by Who Cares? Scotland, with support from the Scottish Government, the Life Changes Trust, Renfrewshire Council, and University of The West of Scotland.  Delegates were given the opportunity to join workshops and share their views on the themes of rights, responsibilities, and relationships.  Speakers included representatives from Renfrewshire Council, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, NUS Scotland, and Alumni of Scottish Care Leavers. Contributor Laura Beveridge touched the hearts of the audience when she shared her experience of growing up in care.

It was a great opportunity for young people and professionals to network; we look forward to the next event!

Young people at Kibble played a key role in the production of a short film depicting life in the Safe Centre. Our Secure Services provide a nurturing and secure environment for young people (12-18) at risk of harming themselves or others. Jim Gillespie, Head of Service – Safe Centre, explained: “Young people are referred to Kibble at a point of crisis in their life and we aim to provide them with a sense of hope and aspiration.”

The feature was filmed by Newshot Productions and was produced/directed by Kibble’s Creative Arts Development Officer Gavin Sinclair.  In order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of Kibble young people, actors from the HNC Acting and Performance course at West College Scotland star in the film.  To ensure an accurate portrayal of Safe Centre life, young people gave the actors direction on what to say and how to convey their message.  Prior to filming, the actors were given a tour of the Centre and talked to young people and staff to gain insight into everyday life. The film captures the ethos of the Safe Centre and covers a vast range of topics such as aspirations and ambitions of young people, encouraging favourable behaviour, education, accommodation, social life, and making the transition from the Safe Centre to a positive destination.

The Safe Centre opened in 2007 and aims to instil in young people a sense of possibility, showing them their life can be very different from the life that led them to the Centre. Kibble’s Secure Services are integrated with all of Kibble’s other services, which means young people have a care plan that combines their education, access to our Specialist Intervention Services and if appropriate access to Employment and Training Services.

Check out the film below for a fascinating insight into Safe Centre life.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/puHLYfCD3l8?rel=0

Chief executive of Kibble Education and Care Centre, Graham Bell attended a special event at Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace of Blenheim Palace, on Wednesday 27^th May, to mark the 50^th anniversary of his living legacy – The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT), and 50 years since his passing.

Graham went on his Churchill Travelling Fellowship in 2002 to America and Canada to research fostering, adoption and residential care of children.  Since then Kibble has launched its Intensive Fostering Services and improved its residential care services.

Over 1000 Fellows and their guests, from every decade since 1965 attended the day, which was hosted by the Duke of Marlborough’s sister – Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, who is herself a generational cousin of Sir Winston, and a member of the WCMT Advisory Council.

Members of the Churchill family, including Sir Winston’s grandson Jeremy Soames; and his great-grandson, Randolph, were also present; as well as many of the Trustees and Advisory Council from the WCMT.

Highlights of the day included presentations given by Fellows from 1968 to 2014, about how their Fellowship has shaped their lives and careers. Internationally acclaimed Churchill experts, including historian Sir David Cannedine, also gave talks.

The special day was rounded off with a spectacular Spitfire Display, followed by Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill and Randolph Churchill taking the salute at a Beating Retreat given by a marching band.

Graham said: “One of Kibble’s most recent employment training and job creation projects has been The Experience, a themed entertainment and events venue in the former Rolls Royce factory, in Hillington, which made the Merlin engines for Spitfire planes.  The transformation to youth employment, learning and leisure centre ensures the preservation of this iconic building.

“It was very moving to stand in the grounds of Blenheim Palace and watch the Spitfire fly-past.  The Merlin engines made in Hillington contributed significantly to the war effort and I am proud of this historic link.”

Fellows from the South West Association of the WCMT also presented Lady Henrietta with one of Britain’s rarest plants, the Plymouth pear tree, to be planted in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

Since 1965, over 5000 British citizens have been awarded Churchill Fellowships, from over 100,000 applicants, to travel overseas to study areas of topical and personal interest. The knowledge and innovative ideas they bring back are widely shared, for the benefit of their profession, their community, and, in lots of cases, the nation. For many people a Churchill Fellowship proves transformational, and they go on to achieve great things – effecting positive change within society.

To mark its half century, The Trust has awarded a record number of 150 Travelling Fellowships in 2015 – investing over £1.3m in British citizens. This year’s Fellows will travel to 58 countries between them, across six continents, where they will carry out a wide range of projects. The average length of a Fellowship is 6 weeks.

Many events are being held throughout the year to celebrate Sir Winston’s life and legacy.

“It is fitting to hold our 50^th anniversary event at Blenheim Palace, and to come together with hundreds of Fellows from across the past 5 decades, to celebrate the life of this great leader. Sir Winston’s legacy lives on through our Fellows – individuals who, like him, have vision, leadership, a passion with a purpose, and a commitment to help their fellow citizens” says Jamie Balfour, Director General of The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

For further information please contact:
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust on 020 7799 1660
www.wcmt.org.uk

Churchill 2015

‘Churchill 2015’ is a unique international celebration of the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill, fifty years after his death. Churchill-related activity will take place around the world to commemorate his achievements, to highlight his vibrant existing legacy, to promote a range of educational opportunities and to bring his life and work to new audiences. Churchill 2015 follows three main themes: Commemoration, to mark this important anniversary appropriately; Education, to engage and inspire future generations; and Legacy, to highlight, develop and enhance the existing work of Churchill organisations in delivering programmes focusing on leadership, debate and public speaking. Churchill 2015 is being led by an alliance of those charities and institutions with an interest in the life or legacy of Sir Winston. For a list of partners and planned activity see www.churchillcentral.com

Over the past decade KibbleWorks has grown and developed into a vibrant collective of social enterprises.  It remains true to its original purpose of providing tailored employability support for young people (16-25) facing barriers to employment. The ethos of KibbleWorks was recently captured on film; highlighting the range of opportunities available and giving a first-hand account of the KibbleWorks experience from the perspective of young people.

Eileen Cummings, Director of Education and Youth Training, explained: “We offer opportunities to improve employability skills, acquire vocational qualifications and gain experience in a real working environment.”

Young people can upskill and improve their job prospects through an integrated programme of vocational training and work placements. Opportunities are varied and include leisure and hospitality, horticulture, warehousing, auto engineering, mechanical engineering, business administration, joinery and construction, recycling, bike maintenance, picture framing, promotional goods design and production, and pest control. KibbleWorks is accredited to offer City and Guilds and SQA qualifications and in addition to embarking on training to support their chosen area of work, young employees are also encouraged to undertake employability and personal progress awards through these awarding bodies.

Mark Robertson, Education and Youth Training Manager said:  “Young people come here and put in a day’s work.  It’s not simply work experience, we like to look at the whole programme where young people get qualifications and this is treated as a realistic working opportunity.”

The recent launch of OsKar’s new look showroom proved a resounding success as they welcomed over 100 visitors on the first day. Members of the public were joined by community groups and local businesses, all keen to see the revamp and check-out the latest bargains.

OsKar’s is part of the KibbleWorks group of social enterprises; providing opportunities for young people facing barriers to employment by increasing their skillset and ultimately job prospects. Collecting and refurbishing unwanted furniture, OsKar’s then sell the goods in their showroom for a fraction of the original cost. Safety is paramount and all white goods are PAT tested by trained team members. They also provide a range of property maintenance services for individuals and organisations and regularly undertake house clearances, painting and decorating, and gardening.

Alison Organ, project officer for the re-use, repair and recycling charity, Community Resources Network Scotland said: “It’s the first time I have been to OsKar’s to see the recycling and up-cycling of goods that’s going on here. It’s brilliant as there’s a great variety and quality of goods here.

“It feeds into everything we are trying to achieve by creating a circular economy and OsKar’s also gives young people the chance of jobs and employment training.”

OsKar’s manager, Karen Gilligan said: “It’s very heartening for our staff to see such a great interest being taken in what we are achieving here.”

If you’d like to find out what’s causing such a stir, it’s time to take a trip to OsKar’s. Based at 55 Clark Street, Paisley, they’re open weekdays 9am – 4.30pm. Alternatively, for more information log on to www.oskars.org.uk or contact Karen Gilligan on 0141 847 6626.

The Scottish Branch of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) will be hosting a conference in Glasgow on 8 May for practitioners working with children and young people in generic and specialised services.  ‘What the Forensic? – Challenging Cases in Everyday Practice’ will give both a theoretical and practical insight into a series of key issues facing professionals.  We are pleased to confirm Kibble’s Dan Johnson and Claire Reilly from the Specialist Intervention Services team will be presenting at the conference.

ACAMH supports the mental health needs of children and young people and is committed to multi-disciplinary research and practice within child and adolescent mental health.  This is achieved in a number of ways including the publication of research findings, and sharing of innovative practices.

Working with young people with complex and forensic behaviour can be a challenge. Speakers at the conference will share their knowledge on a range of approaches that can be applied, and highlight specific characteristics that can cause concern.  Dan will be discussing ‘Trauma Informed Forensic Formulation’ and Claire will be exploring ‘Theoretical Underpinnings of Adolescent Firesetting’. Topical issues will also be addressed including a discussion on forensic inpatient care.

To find out more about the event and make a booking log on to  www.acamh.org/events

OsKar’s is starting 2015 with a brand new look and will be unveiling its transformed showroom this coming Wednesday (14 January) between 9am and 4pm at its premises at 55 Clark St, Paisley.   The open invite will provide the perfect opportunity to find out more about the work of OsKar’s, part of the KibbleWorks group of social enterprises.

Operating in the heart of the community, OsKar’s offers two main services; furniture reuse, and property maintenance.  In doing this, it provides young people facing barriers to employment with the chance to gain new skills and experience as they move on to seek permanent employment.

OsKar’s manager, Karen Gilligan said: “These are very exciting times for the company as we’ve recently upgraded our showroom, have started up-cycling a whole range of furniture and we also have a new range of vintage furniture pieces.

“We’re inviting everyone, whether they are a business, community group or member of the public to come along on Wednesday to see our new showroom and the wide variety of household goods we have for sale.

“And as well as getting a cup of tea and some cake, people coming along might well leave with a real bargain.”

For further information, contact Karen on 0141 847 6626, visit the OsKar’s website or follow them on Facebook.

As a member of Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN), Kibble welcomed the chance to get involved and become a sponsor of the organisation’s first ever trade show. GSEN is a membership network for social enterprise leaders in Greater Glasgow, all sharing a common belief that social enterprise can transform the economic, environmental, social and cultural life of Glasgow.

Shortly before Christmas, The Briggait, a stunning historical building in the heart of the city, opened its doors to the public and businesses to host the free event. With over 30 exhibitors including The Experience, the event was well attended.  The Experience is a themed entertainment and events venue, housing Scotland’s only indoor electric adult and junior go-karting arena, and operates as a social enterprise under the KibbleWorks banner.  It will provide a minimum of 50 transitional jobs for young people aged 16+ annually and offer opportunities for vocational training and work experience.

Lynsey McLean, General Manager at The Experience said: “It’s a great idea to hold an event like this in Glasgow where all the different organisations can trade together and bring in members of the public.  A lot of people aren’t aware of what a social enterprise is and the quality of products and services offered so it’s really important to back events like this.”

The event was filmed throughout the day and comments were captured from those in attendance. View their feedback in the film below.