Real Jobs Newsletter Summer 2019

In this edition: Stories from people we support Disability Equality Training Real Jobs at the Foodbanks Pet Therapy Scottish Summer Weather Survival Summer Greetings from the Real Jobs Team Dear Readers, Welcome to the Summer edition of the Real Jobs Newsletter. In this edition we recommend a few Fringe shows which are particularly accessible. We also have some exciting news from our service about going out to meet more people who might need our support as well as employers who could benefit from our service through Disability Equality Training. We also have some staff news below! We hope you enjoy the read and the summer and watch out for those heat waves and thunderstorms! Andy Foreman Development Manager

Staff News As of this October Real Jobs Team Leader Dominika will be on maternity leave, and Real Jobs Employment Advisor Martin will be taking on the post to cover for her. Some of our readers will already know Martin, who started work at Real Jobs in 2016. As he looks forward to this new opportunity in a new job role, we wish Dom and her family all the very best with their new arrival.

Welcome! To our new addition to the Real Jobs team: Catherine O’Hara. “I studied Psychology at University of and came to Real Jobs from one of the Housing teams where I was a Support Worker. In my spare time I like to dance. I like watching musicals and drink milkshakes. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!” Cat Real Jobs visits Foodbanks This year Real Jobs began attending Edinburgh foodbanks and got to know the services better. Foodbanks are a valued response to a social need, providing food for people in financial crisis, both for individuals and families around the city. It has been a great opportunity to work with organisations such as the Trussell Trust, and especially to gain contact with those attending. We have enjoyed sharing with those who hadn’t previously heard of our service.

It is clear from our work at the foodbank that emergencies can arise for anyone, due to no fault of their own. Real Jobs staff are now able to provide food vouchers for their clients. If you are ever in a state of financial need, please speak to your employment advisor about this Kenny, one of the foodbank volunteers support. Accessible Fringe Events

Disabled-led Theatre Making

Part of the Fringe Central Events Programme for Fringe Participants. What happens when we put disabled people centre stage – not just as performers, but as writers, directors, designers and crew? What can the theatre sector learn from disabled-led creative processes? A fabulous, feisty panel will tackle these questions and share their experiences, followed by a relaxed networking event to help us all continue the conversation. Where: Venue 2, Fringe Central, Inspace When: 22nd August @ 2pm (1hr 30mins) How much: FREE Aaron Simmonds: Disabled Coconut What: Join the BBC New Comedy Award finalist and wheelchair enthusiast as he tells you about how his first paid gig led to him performing on BBC2 a year later, and what happens when you are being trolled online for not being disabled enough. Aaron is far better at stand-up than standing up and his unique perspective on life – usually of people's belly buttons – gives him a distinctive edge in his performances as well as a sore neck. Jewish Comedian of the Year 2017. 'A class act' (.co.uk). Where: Venue 302, Underbelly Bristo Square When: 1.30pm 31st September to 26th August How Much: £6.50

Voices of Bond Performance of songs from James Bond Movies. Accessible – Sight not needed, wheelchair access, wheelchair accessible toilets Where: Venue 43 The Space @ Symposium Hall When: 2nd to 25th August @ 3:55pm How Much: £14, concession £12.50

Louder is not always clearer ‘Meet Jonny: teacher, father and football fan. He's an artist, campaigner, and deaf. He wishes he could sing and loves to dance, but he can't hear the music unless the bass is loud. Jonny grew up in a hearing family, surrounded by fear of the stigma of disability. This one-man show tells Jonny's moving, funny story of disconnection, difference and desperation to belong and is a starkly honest portrayal of a man seemingly confident, outgoing and popular, who is inwardly vulnerable and, at times, isolated. In a hearing world Jonny is different. British Council Showcase.’ Where: Venue 26, , Tech Cube When: 1st-25 August—2.30pm (All performances with British Sign language, creative captioning and English)

111 (Dance and physical theatre) A powerful duet between two exceptional dancers – Joel Brown (Candoco Dance Company) and Eve Mutso (former principal dancer of Scottish Ballet) – as they explore their different strengths and vulnerabilities. 111 is the number of vertebrae Joel and Eve have between them... hypothetically. Eve moves like she has a hundred while Joel's spine is fused and he jokes he only has 11. Commissioned and supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists with funding from Spirit of 2012, The Work Room, Tramway and Check-It Scaffold. www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com Where: Venue 209, Greenside @ Nicolson Square When 19th-24th Audio Described performances @ 12.30 How Much: £12, Concessions £10 Disability Equality Training

Most employers have equality policies in the workplace. However, not all employers are disability confident and may benefit from specialist support to address this. Real Jobs provides Disability Equality Training (DET) to employers who wish to promote greater inclusion in the workplace by recruiting more people with disabilities and health conditions. Real Jobs offers bespoke DET which raises awareness of supports available such as help with reasonable adjustments and how to access them and training on specific disabilities. Many of these adjustments cost very little and can be paid for by Access to Work, at no cost to the employer.

Real Jobs has recently updated its Disability Equality Training to include greater focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. We provide an in-depth focus on specific mental health issues, how individuals and their performance can be affected by these, available supports, and how to promote mental health and wellbeing for individuals and organisations. This can result in a more productive, happier and more equal workforce.

If you would like to know more about Real Jobs’ Disability Equality Training, please call (0131) 475 2315 to speak to one of our Employment Advisors. Stories from people we support

Well Done to Darren who has taken on new tasks at work and has really risen to the challenge! Here he is making his favourite hot drink: Hot Chocolate with cream. Darren’s new manager in the Jenner's 2nd floor restaurant has given Darren various new tasks which he has not done before. These include clearing tables out in front of house, helping staff at servery, greeting customers and helping with hot drinks. Darren is learning fast how to make all the fancy coffees too. When asking Darren’s manager how he is Darren serving his famous doing his response was: “Amazing!”. So, well hot chocolates! done Darren, and all the best with your new tasks!

Sam has been working at M&S café for many years. Sam’s roles in the café were to take food out to customers and clear tables. This was working well for Sam however his new manager felt Sam was a great worker and would like to give him more tasks.

Sam took the challenge on and has succeeded well in his new task of making the hot food in the busy café. Sam said he feels happy, and feels good about himself. Well done Sam! Stories from people we support

Spencer attended DuoDay 2019, as arranged by the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE). DuoDay is an annual event which brings together people with disabilities, supported employment agencies and local employers for a day to promote equal employment opportunities across Europe, highlighting the positive contribution people with disabilities make at work.

Spencer and his Employment Advisor Martin went to the Scottish Parliament, where they met MSP Ruth Davidson and had a good chat about employability for people with disability issues and how to remove barriers to employment. He also enjoyed shadowing Ruth’s personal assistant, where he gained more awareness of how to manage daily admin tasks. Spencer sat in on ‘First Minister questions’, where he watched Nicola Sturgeon debating various political issues. He also had a guided tour of the parliament building (fun fact: on the roof of the parliament building they keep bees, through which they sell their own brand of honey!) Spencer and Martin If you are in supported employment and wish to participate in next year’s DuoDay, please ask your employment advisor for more information about this. Pet Therapy

‘Therapets’ are increasingly being used to promote self-care and mental well-being. Animal-assisted therapy started off in care homes and hospitals, but has grown considerably as a recognised form of relieving health and wellbeing issues in many other situations such as:

• Reducing exam stress for students.

• Providing companionship for older people.

• Reducing blood pressure.

• Assist people who have panic attacks, PTSD or difficulty in social settings.

One of our Real Jobs clients Rebecca has a friendly Labradoodle called Doodle! Doodle has a fantastic temperament and because of this he is perfect for becoming a Therapet. Rebecca has registered Doodle as an official therapy animal. At present Doodle works between an office and an older person’s home. He was invited to meet the Real Jobs team and it is safe to say he was a hit. We were not sure if Patricia would let him leave!

Summer Foods

Real Jobs’ very own John Alvarez and his family have opened up a new food place to sell authentic and very tasty Latin food! With traditional Colombian and Venezuelan Arepas and Empanadas, they have a large variety of fillings including meat and vegan options, so there is something for everyone!

We asked John how things are going, and what his future hopes are for the café: “I have always loved bringing our national food to Scotland, and am so grateful for this new opportunity to introduce this key part of our cultural heritage to Scotland.” We wish John and his family all the best with their new business - may your Arepas always be overflowing!

If you have never eaten Latin food and want to Try Something New, then visit Orinoco Latin Food, at 281 Leith Walk. You can also like their Facebook page which also has opening hours and café news.

@orinocolatinfood Summer Survival

In Scotland, the truth is: we can’t deal with a bit of heat - fact! Recently, Scotland’s hottest day of the year was recorded in our city of Edinburgh. On Thursday 25th July our new record high was 32C - let’s hope it reappears! However, with great heat comes great responsibility - we have to look after ourselves and each other. Here are a few tips for health and survival in the summer sun:

• If possible, avoid the heat. Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm • Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes • Keep windows closed if they are exposed to the sun during the day, and open them at night when the temperature has dropped • Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this is not possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter) • If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping • Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water • Drink lots of fluids and avoid too much alcohol. Water, milk, juice and tea and coffee are good choices • If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf • Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves Summer Quiz

1. What is the name of the new Employment Advisor joining Real Jobs? a) Cat b) Doug c) Kat d) Tiger

2. Which of these sounds like the name of the computer game which the new world champion won over £1 million? a) Fortnight b) Month c) Week d) Year

3. Which country earlier this summer was the latest to send a rocket to the moon? a) Brazil b) China c) India d) Mexico

4. What is the name of the new channel we got from BBC last year? a) Alba b) BBC Scotland c) Channel 9 d) Thistle TV

5. Where is the new 22 year old winner of the Tour De France from? a) Argentina b) Brazil c) Colombia d) Ecuador

6. What kind of dancing will be a sport in the 2024 Olympics? a) Ballroom b) Break c) Country d) Line

7. If you want to sell your house, people like the smell of freshly baked? a) Apple b) Beans c) Bread d) Potato

8. Which of these old movies has a new version out this year? a) Beauty and the Beast b) Jungle Book c) Tarzan d) The Lion King Friends of Real Jobs Future Events

The bowling event is on Monday 16th September from 4 until 6pm £3.50 per person. If you want to come, please contact Real Jobs on (0131) 475 2315 ~ Next up will be our... Christmas get together! 16th December 2019, 4 to 6pm More details to follow.

Quiz Answers: 1) A 2) A 3) C 4) B 5) C 6) B 7) C 8) D

If there is anything you think should be included in Real Jobs newsletters please tell your Employment Advisor.

The Action Group

Norton Park Centre

57 Albion Road

Edinburgh EH7 5QY

0131 475 2315

www.actiongroup.org.uk