PA Bulletin 8 April 2008
Connexions Surrey PA Bulletin
8 April 2008
The bulletin is produced every two weeks and we aim to keep you up to date with current issues and aware of news that is relevant to your day to day jobs. The bulletin sits alongside the PA Resource section of the website.
2: Feeling Good Week. Difference & diversity: Happy to be me!
3: Advising Students Applying for HE Student Finance
4: Rainer Surrey Floating Support Service
5: Intro to Public Services, short course for NEET clients
6: Work trials for NEET young people
10: NEET Update, inc NEET Activities Flyer April-June 08
Connexions Training Programme
External Training Programme
1: WhY Talk Counselling
New counselling service launched by Woking YMCA:
Do you feel stressed, worried, anxious, confused, depressed? Would you like someone to talk to? Someone neutral and in confidence? Then call the YMCA - we have a team of professional counsellors on hand to help you and most of all it's FREE!!!!
The Ypod has now launched a free counselling service for the young people of the Woking area. Called WhY Talk, the Counselling Service is free to any young person and available at the YPod Centre in Chobham Road from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Young people will be able to access the counselling service themselves by ringing the dedicated phone number: 0791 222 7035. The service is private and confidential and recognised by professional accrediting agencies. It is open to young people regardless of gender, religious conviction, and ethnic or cultural background or sexual orientation.
Based on the model of the Guildford YMCA’s successful counselling program Open House, WhY Talk draws on trained and trainee counsellors who volunteer their time to meet with young people. These counsellors have completed recognised counselling courses and are able to work well with young people. Counselling has been identified as a priority need for young people in the Woking area. Launching this service is part of the YMCA’s larger plan for addressing the needs of young people in Woking.
“The YMCA intends to be on the cutting edge of providing top quality services to young people that meet their genuine needs.” says Terry Eckersley the CEO of the Woking YMCA. "Walfred (Wally) Fahrer has been appointed by the YMCA board as part time counselling coordinator. He has Masters degree in counselling and theology, over 6,000 hours of private counselling experience, and specialties in trauma and abuse. He is well qualified to direct our counselling service and to train, supervise and support our volunteer counsellors.”
Inquiries about becoming a volunteer counsellor can be directed to Mr. Fahrer at the YMCA on 01483 757 160.
2: Feeling Good Week: 7-11 July 2008. Difference & diversity: Happy to be me!
What is it?
Surrey CAMHS' Feeling Good Week (FGW) is an annual emotional health awareness week organised by Surrey's child and adolescent mental health service. Each FGW has a theme. Last year the theme was 'chill out' and this resulted in lots of relaxation sessions, yogabug classes and chill out time taking place throughout the week. This year’s theme is 'Difference and diversity: happy to be me', which focuses on self-esteem and understanding who we are.
During the week schools and youth organisations in Surrey run classes, assemblies and activities around the theme. Surrey CAMHS provides resource packs and grants for activities to help support the week.
Please contact Emma Harris on Tel: 020 8541 7760 or email: emma.harris@surreycc.gov.uk to request a pack.
Emma Harris
Policy & Development Officer - Surrey CAMHS
Publicity Officer - Surrey County Council
Tel: 020 8541 7760 Fax: 020 8541 8004 www.surrey-camhs.org.uk
emma.harris@surreycc.gov.uk
3: Advising Students Applying for HE Student Finance
The Student Finance Team, DIUS are aware that there have been enquiries about what customers should be told about accessing the student finance service and obtaining information, advice and guidance (IAG), in the run-up to the launch of the new Centralised Student Finance Service. In particular, partners have asked what advice they can give the 2009 entry cohort, who they are already coming into contact with through school visits and parents evenings etc.
The Student Finance Team, have provided the advice which you could pass on to customers including potential students, and their parents. The Student Finance Team will provide advise on future developments as and when they arise.
For those thinking of entering Higher Education in September 2008
Those planning to go to university or college in September 2008 will be able to access the current IAG service available through the Directgov/student finance website, the usual range of literature and the advisory services provided by their local authorities and Studentfinancedirect. They should apply for financial help on-line via Directgov. The on-line application process is quick, easy and allows them to manage their account via the web. They can contact Studentfinancedirect on 0845 607 7577 for help with both the on-line or paper based applications. Alternatively, they can apply via their local authority (ask for the student support services) as before.
For those thinking of entering Higher Education in September 2009
Those planning to go to university or college in September 2009 will be able to access the current IAG service available through the Directgov/student finance website, the usual range of literature and the advisory services provided by their local authorities and Studentfinancedirect. The IAG service will provide an early illustration of the type of help currently on offer but more up to date information about the amount of support available to students entering HE in 2009, including bursaries. This improved IAG will be available on-line via Directgov from around September 2008.
From September 2008 there will also be a range of additional channels to help students and their parents complete either their on-line or paper applications, including a real-time webchat facility and a telephone helpline. The phone number will be available on the Directgov website or in student finance publications
4:
We have ongoing Floating Support Vacancies for Young People who are residing in Surrey.
Rainer Surrey Services operate a Floating Support Scheme aiming to provide short term (not more than two years) floating support to young people who are at risk 16&17 years old and young people leaving Local Authority Care between the ages of 16 and 21 years, who are in need of housing related support in order to maintain and promote independent living and linking in with the five key Every Child Matters objectives:
- Staying Safe
- Staying Healthy
- Enjoying and Achieving
- Making a Positive Contribution
- Economic Well Being
Click here for further details of the type of support provided. Click here for details of the Criteria for Eligibility.
Click here for a referral form.
Please contact Donna Leedham, Service Co-coordinator for more information on 01483 517055 or by email donna.leedham@surreycc.gov.uk
5: Introduction to Public Services, short course for NEET clients
Please find attached a flyer about a short course running for NEET clients at East Surrey College. Please could you encourage any interested young people to contact our office.
Many Thanks
Jo Cook
Telephone: 01737 773801
Email: jo.cook@vtplc.com
6: Work Trials for NEET young people
Are you working with young people who are NEET and are looking to gain work experience and skills? We are able to offer work placements of up to 6 weeks between April and June with local employers. The young person will receive £30 per week and travel and lunch expenses (on production of signed time sheet and receipts)
If you have a young person who might be interested in this scheme please get in touch with your local Connexions Centre who have details of the placements available.
If you know of any employers who might be able to offer a placement, please contact Angela Johnson - 01483 519333 angela.johnson@surreycc.gov.uk
The two new posters signify the post 16 choices and the money aspect of EMA.
7: ADAPT Training Dates
Please see the Connexions Training Update below for details of upcoming dates for Introduction to Adapt and the Adapt Workshop
8: PA Impact Reports
Please note that the PA Impact Report form has now been reloaded and can be accessed via the PA Resources page.
9: Safe Drive Stay Alive
Do you know a teenager who is about to begin driving or has recently passed their test?
The free, award winning road safety initiative heralded by Formula One World Champion,
Damon Hill, as “literally a life saver”, will open to the public once again at Dorking Halls,
Dorking, on Thursday 24 April 2008 at 7.30pm.
‘Safe Drive, Stay Alive’, is a hard-hitting interactive show that tells the story of a road traffic collision. A reconstruction video is interspersed with on stage, real life testimonies by serving members of the emergency services. Also, and perhaps most poignantly, stories are told by the parent of a young person who lost their life in a road traffic collision and also from a person disabled by the actions of a young driver.
Spearheaded by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and supported by partners Surrey Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Surrey County Council, The Royal Surrey Hospital and RoadPeace, ‘Safe Drive, Stay Alive’ targets young drivers in particular, and encourages them to think of the consequences of driving irresponsibly. Approximately 25,000 people have seen the shows to date and the feedback has been hugely positive. Safe Drive, Stay Alive was awarded a highly acclaimed HRH Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award in 2006 and this year received a second award from Mole Valley District Council’s Youth Voice.
All 15 year olds and over are invited to attend. To book your place(s), please complete the online booking form or contact Surrey Fire and Rescue Service on 01737 224051/ 733506. More details on the initiative are available at www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/safedrive. Please be aware that the show is of a hard–hitting nature.
10:
Did you know that there are a wide range of job vacancies, vacant college places and training courses all over the county waiting to be filled? As the majority don’t have particularly demanding entry requirements, they are an ideal choice for many NEET youngsters.
Our Centres produce regular listings of local opportunities. Vacancy Bulletins are now listed on the Connexions website Job search page and you can also pick up copies from your local Centre to share with the young people you are currently working with.
NEET Activities Flyer - April-June 2008
Please find attached a document highlighting a range of NEET activities taking place for young people around the County from April until the end of June 2008. The aim of the document is to give you an indication of the types of activities/programmes that are available or are currently being undertaken.
The next edition of the flyer will cover the period July - September 2008 and ideally I would like to distribute it to you all week commencing 16th June which would allow you some time to speak with your NEET young people and potentially get them signed up onto a course/programme that may be starting within this period.
If you are involved in any NEET (16-18 year old) activities or know of any activities for NEET young people that are taking place between July and the end of September 2008 then please let me have the following details by 13th June and I will include the programme in the next flyer:
- Course title
- Brief description, to include, number of weeks, core content, referral process etc
- Agency/provider
- Dates
- Time
- Costs if any incurred by young person
- Contact name
- Contact details i.e. telephone number and email address
Commissioning Executive
Connexions Surrey
Tel: 01483 519339
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Connexions Training Update
A full training programme and details can be found on the PA resources page Introduction to Adapt• 21st May • 19th June • 6th August • 18th Sept Adapt Workshop • 23rd April • 15th May • 24th July • 10th Sept
We are currently awaiting a full training programme for 2008 Please click here for full details of courses and for courses running until June 08 Nominations for all courses need to be sent to Bernadette Slack at VT Careers Management, Surrey, Sutton House, Weyside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XJ
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The following training courses are outside the Connexions training programme and therefore any costs will need to be met by your own organisation and not through the centrally funded Connexions programme.
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