Partners In Care

Geoff Holt

Geoff Holt - Atlantic Challenge and National Disability Sports Ambassador addressed the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Care Ambassador team, their employers and representatives from Jobcentre Plus, local schools and colleges, Local Authorities and Connexions at an event in Poundbury on 29th April. An audience of almost 100 heard how quadriplegic yachtsman Geoff Holt sailed across the Atlantic on a yacht adapted for his wheelchair. Geoff was supported on his Atlantic Challenge by a carer from New Zealand. The Care Ambassadors were hugely inspired by Geoff's story at the event to mark the third anniversary of this project managed by Partners in Care. Katie Bennett the Care Ambassador Project Co-ordinator said "Geoff was fantastic - such an inspirational story. I even volunteered to be his crew on his next trip, when he wants to go round the world".

A DVD showcasing the innovative drama project ‘Me and Him and Me and Her’, was launched at the event. This partnership work between Care Ambassadors, Dorset Scope and people who use services focuses on recruitment, and challenges the myths and preconceptions surrounding social care. We have already received a number of requests for copies of the DVD! Our thanks go to all who supported this event and for continued support of the Care Ambassador Scheme.

For more info contact Katie Bennett on 01202 862441 or email Katie Bennett

Chris Ginifer from Weymouth - A Dorset Care Ambassador

Taken from Dorset Echo on 31st March 2010.....

A YOUNG man from Weymouth has been held up as a shining example by the government as it launches a new scheme to attract more school leavers into the care industry.

Chris Ginifer, 22, who is a support worker for adults with learning difficulties at Foresters Residential Home in Alexandra Road, was invited to a conference to tell people about the job that he loves.

He spoke to more than 50 employers at a Care First Careers event in Taunton and told them how young people could be an asset to their workforce.

Care First Careers is a government initiative to encourage organisations involved in adult social care to recruit 18 to 24-year-olds. Among the incentives is a new £1,000 cash recruitment subsidy as well as free pre-employment training for job applicants.

Chris said: “I love my job and I know some people might be put off, thinking it’s just running around and cleaning up after people who can’t do it for themselves, but they would be wrong.

“I enjoy being with the people at the residential home because I make a difference to them. When I walk in the room their faces light up and I know I’m going to enjoy another day at work.”

He added: “Doing this job can lead to other opportunities, you can climb up the ladder and become a manager or you can take time out like me and work abroad.

“I’ve gained so much confidence and I’m still only 22.

“I would say to any young person don’t be put off by what you think you know, have a go and make up your own mind.”

South West customer service director for the Department for Work and Pensions Clare Mcguckin said: “It’s really impressive to see how much Chris loves his job and social care employers can really benefit from employing young people like him.”

Me and Him.. and Me and Her

An audience of over 40 students, representatives from Connexions, local councils and family and friends attended the Barnabas Centre in Poole on Wednesday evening for a unique performance by adults with learning disabilities and their support workers. The performance of “Me and Him…and Me and Her” was the result of an inspirational joint project between Dorset Scope and the Dorset Care Ambassador Programme delivered by Partners in Care in Dorset.

Care Ambassadors are all about inspiring people young and old to consider working in adult social care - perhaps with the elderly or with adults with learning disabilities. The response from the audience was overwhelming “...wonderful, the insight this gives to working in social care is so powerful.” Kevin Poulton Economic Generation Manager East Dorset District Council.

The short piece of theatre was planned by the whole team to demonstrate the relationship between the support worker and the person they support, showing the interaction, difficulties and fun they share. A DVD is currently being produced from this work as a resource for the Care Ambassador team to share with schools, colleges and other community groups to raise the profile of the rewards working in adult social care can bring. Katie Bennett who co-ordinates the Care Ambassador programme across Dorset said “This has been truly amazing. We are so excited about sharing this work with young people who are thinking about future career choices.”

Dementia Care: moving forward

A very successful event took place on 11th February 2010 at the Hamworthy Club in Wimborne. A total of 234 employers came from care organisations across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

Graham Stokes - Clinical Director of Dementia Care, BUPA Care Services

and

David Francis - Policy Implementation Project Manager for Dementia & Carers, Department of Health South West

were the key note speakers, followed by the three local authorities.

If you would like to see the presentations please go to the events tab.

March 2010

Care Ambassador Success

Sarah Skinner went to a Care Ambassador Recruitment Event in Weymouth in early 2009.

In her late twenties, with no experience of working in the care sector, Sarah had been unemployed for almost 6 months. Having previously worked with horses and unfortunately suffered an injury, Sarah was actively looking for a different type of work. 5 Care Ambassadors from our team, together with 6 local care employers and Jobcentre Plus advisors hosted the event in Weymouth.

Sarah attended, and learnt about a range of roles in the sector and as a result, was inspired to pursue this avenue of potential employment. Speaking to the Ambassadors there, Sarah realised that hands-on practical care was not really for her, but social work might be. Supported to take things further, Sarah was referred on to the “Skills for Jobs” training course delivered by TRIBAL.

The Care Ambassador Scheme has kept in touch with Sarah as part of its progression tracking. Sarah successfully completed the TRIBAL skills development programme, then went on to enrol at a local Further Education course and has recently successfully completed an Access to HE course.

Sarah has recently secured a place at Winchester University to study for a degree in Social Work. Sarah takes up her place in a few weeks time.

Partners in Care are all looking forward to keeping in touch with Sarah as she progresses through her degree course and into employment in Adult Social Care.

September 2009