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School leavers who joined a 12-week employment training initiative six months ago have still got a job – thanks to Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre.

The teenagers, from schools all over Renfrewshire, signed up for the Christmas Leavers’ Employment Training Initiative set up and jointly financed by Kibble and the European Social Fund.

And eight of the 22 young people who started have either been given full-time jobs, or longer-term training placements on programmes run by KibbleWorks – the organisation’s job creation and training wing.

Renfrewshire South MSP, Hugh Henry visited KibbleWorks to meet some of the young people who have benefited from the training initiative.

Mr Henry said: “What Kibble has achieved by launching this Christmas leavers’ job training programme is a perfect example of what companies and third sector organisations can do to alleviate the scourge of youth unemployment.

“It was heartening to speak to the young people at KibbleWorks who have been given the chance to prove to themselves and other people that they have the potential to learn the skills needed to hold down a worthwhile job.

“Sometimes all that is needed is to give young people a helping hand and the chance to show they can make a positive contribution to a workplace. That is exactly what Kibble has done and they should be congratulated.”

One of the Christmas leavers who trained in the KibbleWorks warehouse is 16-year-old CC, from Johnstone.

He has since gained three Road Transport Industry Training Board qualifications, including forklift driving and is now hopeful of landing a job with a major haulage company locally.
CC said: “The training I have had at KibbleWorks makes it ten times more likely I’ll get a job. The opportunities I’ve been given here are great.”

Kibble chief executive, Graham Bell said: “One of the most important aspects in helping young people is to give them the best possible opportunities of finding and keeping a job.

“That’s the aim of the employment training KibbleWorks offers 18 to 24-year-olds from the local community, delivered through our portfolio of social enterprises.”

A play written by Kibble pupils, ‘Please Listen’, left a lasting impression on MSPs at Holyrood.

It was performed at the Scottish Parliament’s education and culture committee as part of their inquiry into children in care.

The pupils, JW, DS, both 16 and 13 year old JS, wrote the play about their lives in various care homes.

Children’s charity, Who Cares? Scotland had invited JW, DS and JS along with Kibble’s Creative Arts Development Officer, Gavin Sinclair to perform Please Listen in front of MSPs.

The education and culture committee has been taking evidence for their ongoing inquiry into decision making on whether to take children into care.

The play is an emotional insight into the lives of young people in care and reveals the benefits, but also the frustrations JW and DS felt going through the care system. The only props on stage are four chairs and a black bin bag full of clothes to represent the time Jonny was handed a bag of his belongings and was told he was going to a new home.
The play has been performed more than 30 times to various groups and organisations since it was first seen last October.

West Scotland MSP, Neil Bibby, a member of the education committee and Shadow Minister for Children and Young People, said: “The play was very thought provoking and showed the different experiences young people can have in care. It also demonstrated the need for professionals and society generally to listen to children and young people in care and take their views seriously.

“The young people from Kibble should be congratulated for sharing their experiences in this innovative play and for helping raise awareness of the issues affecting children and young people in care.”

Paisley MSP, George Adam, who is also a member of the education committee said: “Seeing the young people perform in a play that deals specifically with life in care was hard hitting.  There are no lightly dealt with issues in the play, just the dramatisation written by two people who know about life in care.

“It is easy to forget about the struggles that these young people go through, but this play shows that there is a way out, hurdles can be overcome.”

Gavin Sinclair said: “This was probably the most influential audience we have performed Please Listen to and it gave the young people a chance to get their views across to the people who make the policy decisions that will affect young people in care.”

Kibble’s chief executive, Graham Bell said: “The pupils have achieved a lot since they wrote their play and through their many performances have grown in confidence.

“Recognising the sometimes hidden potential in young people and encouraging them like we do at Kibble, can set them on the road to taking a positive role in society as they reach adulthood.”

Kibble’s Intensive Fostering Services have been awarded top grades from the Care Inspectorate: five ‘excellent’ ratings (grade 6) and one very good (grade 5).

Staff are pleased that following its recent visit, the Care Inspectorate described IFS staff and management as excellent and the care and support they provide as both very good and excellent.

The Care Inspectorate looked into all areas of the service and IFS Manager Kay Gibson was particularly happy with the feedback the young people and their carers provided.

Kay said: “Young people and carers both said they were really happy with the service that IFS provides and it was great to hear one young person describe us as being like a proper family.

“Young people talked about the benefits of always having someone to talk to and carers talked about being treated as members of Kibble’s team – these are things we’ve always aimed to achieve in the service so it’s great to have the recognition for this.

“Everyone is thrilled with the grades because we know what it means for the young people we’re caring for – they’re getting the best care and commitment that we can give.”

In particular, the report noted:

• Young people are encouraged and supported to be involved in all aspects of their care.
• The teamwork between staff and carers means that the health and wellbeing of young people remains a priority.
• Staff are well supported by a management team of child centred, committed individuals.
• Links to Kibble’s Specialist Intervention Services that provide psychological support for young people with more complex needs.

Kay added: “We always have room to improve the service and will keep trying to do so but it’s great to know that the building blocks of even more improvement are all there.”

A group of young trainees are showing they are a class act by building specialised learning equipment for school playgrounds. Those involved are with the ServiceWorks  programme, run by KibbleWorks which provides training and employment for young people between the ages of 16 and 24. The ServiceWorks initiative is quickly gaining a reputation for high-quality timber playground products that are being installed all over the west of Scotland.

One of the most recent projects the Paisley-based employment training initiative has completed was in conjunction with Mindstretchers – specialists who provide children with multi-sensory educational environments.

The ServiceWorks team headed by Bryan Shaw, built and installed educational play equipment in the playground of St Ninian’s Primary, in Knightswood, Glasgow. The youngsters at St Ninian’s now have a sensory garden with timber plant boxes, a sheltered corner coral that can be used as an outdoor classroom and two willow tunnels made from an arched roof of willow tree saplings.

The KibbleWorks  trainees also made a ‘mag post’ for the kids, which is a tall block of wood hollowed out with a magnifying glass inserted at the top and a small tray carved into the wood halfway down. Plants and insects can then be placed in the tray and the kids can see the objects magnified by looking down through the glass at the top of the block of wood. Children from the school’s Eco Committee and Pupil Council played a major role in deciding what equipment should be installed in their playground.

The school’s Deputy Head Teacher, Brian Bourke said: “The children are very excited that they can take their learning outside and have an interactive experience. Having a separately designated outdoor area with a variety of different learning zones means the children will have the maximum opportunity to explore and learn in contexts other than traditional classroom teaching and learning environments.”

Kibble’s Chief Executive, Graham Bell said: “This is an excellent example of a win-win situation. On the one hand, we have young people on Kibble’s employment training programme to gain vital experience about the world of work and then schoolchildren benefitting with the creation of an outdoor learning experience in their playground.”

The motto of The Scout Association is ‘Be Prepared’ – and preparations have certainly been made for a primary school with a difference on the hills high above Paisley.

A partnership between the West Regional Scout Council and Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre has led to a small primary school being created at the Scouts’ Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre, on the Gleniffer Braes.

Kibble has started educating children of primary school age for the first time and it’s hoped pupils will benefit from the countryside environment and being able to get some of their lessons outdoors.

The new day school in part of the Lapwing Lodge building will teach a small number of primary pupils who haven’t settled in a mainstream school.

Donald Gordon, who is chairman of the West Regional Scout Council stresses that Lapwing Lodge is not just for Cubs and Scouts, but is available for all community organisations, youth groups and even companies to hire.

Donald said: “Kibble have been using our outdoor facilities at Lapwing Lodge for a number of years and they asked us about setting up a primary school in part of the building.

“We agreed, as it fits in nicely with one of the principles of The Scout Association, which is to develop young people using outdoor activities.

“And there are plenty of outdoor activities available for the pupils here at Lapwing Lodge.

“We would like to encourage other organisations to use the facilities we have here at Lapwing Lodge. There are a wide range of groups and organisations already using Lapwing Lodge. But as we have such a great range of outdoor activities to offer along with a hostel for overnight stays, we hope to get even more people benefiting from Lapwing Lodge.”

Local authorities will refer pupils to be taught at Kibble’s new Lapwing Primary. Teachers there will be fully qualified with the added experience of having taught youngsters who are unable to cope with a mainstream school setting.

Kibble’s chief executive, Graham Bell said: “It’s the first time in Kibble’s history we have taught children of primary school age.

“We’d like to thank The Scout Association for helping us create a school in such a wonderful outdoor setting. It gives our pupils a fantastic opportunity to experience a whole host of outdoor activities, which can be integrated into their school curriculum.

“Our aim is to develop an educational facility in a therapeutic outdoor environment for younger children.”

Pictured: Left to right, Dr Joan Mackenzie, Kibble executive director; Graham Bell, Kibble chief executive; Donald Gordon, chairman of West Regional Scout Council; Renfrewshire Provost Anne Hall and teacher at Lapwing Primary, Tracie McEwan.

Staff and young people at Paisley’s Kibble Education and Care Centre have been waxing lyrical about raising money for charity.

So much so, chef Alex Dow and two of his trainees volunteered to have their legs waxed as part of the fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

A large number of staff gathered in the canteen for the coffee morning and to witness Alex, 49, and two Kibble pupils who are training in the kitchens for their SVQ Level 1 qualification – go through the pain barrier for a good cause.

The total raised on the day was £345 after the brave trio was sponsored to have their legs waxed and shaved by beauty therapist, Fiona Galbraith, from Paisley’s Kenneth Edward salon.

Alex said: “We wanted to do something that raised a bit more money than just having a coffee morning.

“With the boys coming up with the idea and volunteering, I really had to join in.

“I’m a bit averse to pain, so having my legs waxed is not something I would have done on a regular basis. But it was worth it to raise so much for a great charity.”

Budding screen actor, Daniel Portman, visited Kibble to work with pupils in the drama department and has been singing their praises.

Daniel Portman who stars in the hit television series, Game of Thrones, has been working with the young people on different drama projects, teaching them how to film scenes, putting together performances and practicing skills like improvisation.

Daniel who is from Glasgow said: “Working with the boys has been great. They’ve been really focused and responsive.  We’ve been introducing them to drama and showing them an alternative route where they can have a creative outlet.  The boys just went for it and were a joy to work with.”

Following a project called Killer Pool that looked at the experiences of young British soldiers who had fought in Afghanistan, the drama workshops have been looking at other issues that threaten the safety of young people in the UK such as gang warfare and drug dealing.

Daniel added: “It only took five minutes to win the boys over to drama. It’s amazing that’s all it took to introduce them to something new.  The boys get such a sense of accomplishment from drama. I at least hope it’s been the highlight of their week. But you never know, maybe some of the boys will want to pursue drama.”

Despite a busy filming schedule, Daniel came in to help after being asked by Gavin Sinclair, Kibble’s Creative Arts Development Officer.  Gavin was Daniel’s tutor while he studied for his HNC and HND in drama at Reid Kerr College and played a big part in Daniel’s success.  Daniel said: “Gavin took a risk and gave me the big part in the college’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the whole play just blew people away.  He also gave me the part of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet this year which was a real challenge as not many people get to do this at 20.  After all this, we’ve just become friends.”

Daniel has been acting professionally since the age of 16 and has appeared in productions such as River City and the recent comedy, Angels’ Share. He is currently playing the part of Podrick Payne in the HBO drama Game of Thrones, airing on Sky Atlantic. This medieval fantasy has attracted millions of viewers and earned hordes of dedicated fans.  On being asked about adjusting to working on such a popular and award-winning series, Daniel said:  “It was very weird. I’ve sank into it quite nicely though. My character wasn’t so prominent early on and because my character grows slowly, I’ve been able to get used to it.  It’s amazing. There’s not a day goes by where I don’t talk about it or get asked about it.”  He added: “I’d definitely like to come back to Kibble and keep working with the young people because it’s been great.”

Read the article on the Paisley Daily Express website