WORK matters ISSUE 10 Supported Enterprise Newsletter MARY WINS AWARD DFN Project SEARCH Page3

IN THIS ISSUE Key Workers Projects All Stars Café Page 2 Updates Firpark Pupils Page 6 cook up a storm Page 7 Welcome Welcome to our 10th As you know it has been a very continue to deliver training, Edition of “Work challenging year for everyone however I development and employment Matters”. have been overwhelmed by the opportunities to adults and young positive stories and feedback we people with disabilities across North I am delighted to receive from individuals, their families welcome you to the latest . and local businesses on the tailored edition of “Working support that they have received from Within this edition, you can read about Matters”. the team to enable individuals to some truly inspirational people, I have recently had the secure sustainable employment. achieving their personal goals and privilege of welcoming moving into employment. They are also We could not do this without the Supported Enterprise breaking down barriers for their peers support of local employers, Service to the who follow. stakeholders and the partnerships we Communities team within North have developed across North I hope you enjoy reading about the Lanarkshire Council. As Head of Lanarkshire who have all contributed many successes the people we work Service for Communities I have to the success of the service. with have achieved throughout 2020. responsibility for the ongoing development, growth and success of As we enter 2021 we look forward to Lizanne McMurrich the Supported Enterprise Service. being able to meet up again and Head of Communities

Carrie Anne Adam “I’m glad to be busy Key Worker “I was delighted to and feel that I’m help out in anyway helping by being at during this time and work”. Testimonials have been assisting other departments Our keyworkers have with various tasks as I Kirsty wasn’t able to return “It’s been such a good been working hard to to my normal role.” experience to work support our during the lockdown, to know I am helping communities throughout William make lives better. “Working through the There’s no other this pandemic, below are pandemic has had its gratitude I can take some quotes from our ups and downs, so I from that.” have made sure to keep clients on how this has a positive attitude when impacted on them. it comes to helping David out around the office” “I have worked all through Lockdown in Tesco and we have Barry Derek been very, very busy. “I’ve been working “I was furloughed for The company has throughout this a few months last looked after us by Covid-19 pandemic, year due to the providing screens and even offering to work pandemic but now masks, and has made sure we are my days off to help I am back at work. socially distanced on the tills.” out. When I’m not at I have been helping work I like to watch TV to maintain the school, reporting any & Movies, as well as repairs, cleaning, carrying out the fire Ashley listening to music this has been helping testing as well as ensuring the building “I work in the kitchen me relax and get ready for the next day” is secure at the end of the day.” within Morrison’s Warehouse in , Suzy it’s been hard working Anne Marie “Working through the during COVID 19 but “Throughout the pandemic I didn’t pandemic has been we are all working as really feel any different, however after really really good but a team to ensure that we provide a being furloughed for a short period of very very busy and as a good service to our colleagues working time I couldn’t wait to get back to work team we have all in the warehouse whilst keeping safe.” and when I did it was great to be pulled together to working in the kitchen with my support our colleagues, it felt normal again.” community.”

2 of young people with learning disabilities. The programme has been such a success with NHS Lanarkshire that it has been rolled-out to further sites at University Hospital Hairmyres and University Hospital Monklands. Carmel McKeogh, director and programme specialist at DFN Project SEARCH, said: “Most recently our graduates at University Hospital have certainly risen to the challenge even further in frontline roles and continue to do amazing work within their local communities. The success they are having is Scottish Business Minister joins testament to the effectiveness of our pioneering transition to work programme along with the strength of DFN Project SEARCH as it our partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, New College Lanarkshire and North Celebrates Ten Years at Lanarkshire Council.” Heather Knox, Chief Executive, NHS University Hospital Wishaw Lanarkshire, said: “I am delighted that NHS Lanarkshire has been able to Scottish Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie support this brilliant project for the Hepburn joined DFN Project SEARCH to celebrate ten years at last 10 years. I am also extremely pleased that more than half have University Hospital Wishaw. The Minister joined project partners obtained permanent positions within and former graduates at an inspiring virtual event to celebrate NHS Lanarkshire including clerical assistants, domestics, laboratory the landmark during UK Disability History Month. assistants, porters and clinical support workers. While we offer the DFN Project SEARCH, a leading transformed the lives of these young opportunities, it is the young people transition to employment charity for people, bringing greater themselves who are the inspiration to young people with learning disabilities independence, and widening their everyone they work with from their and autism, is celebrating ten years at aspirations. lecturers, job coaches, site mentors University Hospital Wishaw. Amongst the graduates there have and the wider NHS family.” The pioneering supported internship been two weddings, three babies, ten Des Murray, Chief Executive at North programme celebrated the landmark now live independently, including Lanarkshire Council said: “I can think on December 8th during a virtual three buying their own homes, event with its partners and the passing driving tests and buying cars, of no other programme as Scottish Minister for Business, Fair and further education whilst in work. transformative as DFN Project SEARCH. Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn MSP. Not just for the young people The University Hospital Wishaw involved, but for their families and The project partners include NHS partnership shows how collaboration loved ones, seeing their children thrive Lanarkshire as the host business, New between the NHS, local authorities, and become strong, independent College Lanarkshire as the education colleges and schools and supported young adults. “It’s about realising provider, and employment providers; partnered hopes and dreams, proving what can Council as the supported employment with the evidence-based DFN Project be achieved if people are given the provider. The programme has been a SEARCH programme, can be a force right supports, and most importantly, huge success in transforming the lives for transformative change in the lives the opportunity to succeed.” of young people with learning disabilities and autism after being established in September 2010. Seventy-eight students have graduated through the programme with 56 going on to get paid jobs. Many now remain in frontline roles across NHS Lanarkshire, making a huge impact during the Pandemic, spanning laboratory assistants, porters, administration, catering, retail, domestics, waste management operators and customer services. These amazing jobs have also

3 Congratulations to the people who have successfully obtained a new job since the last issue of Work Matters

Other individuals who went into work (no pictures available): Rachel Nicholl Clerical Assistant Trainee NLC Training Section Ryan Kilpatrick Support Worker Keane Premier Support Services Reiss Moore Brendan Steedman Dylan Anderson Pharmacy Support Worker Catering Staff Bank, NHS Lanarkshire Project Ability Trainee, NLC Vocational NHS Greater & Clyde Apprenticeship Team Kieran Skeoch Warehouse Operator Honeywell Control Systems Mark Thomson Recycling Operative Dow Waste Management Craig Robertson Telephone Operator Teleperformance Yasser Zobaidi Production Operator Jamie Hall Liam Yardley Natural Fruit & Beveridges CSW Staff Bank, NHS Lanarkshire Project Ability Trainee, Amazonia, Connor Gouck M&D’s Project Ability Trainee The Buffet Box, Other supported employees who do not want their photos or names included are employed by the following companies: • NHS Lanarkshire • Hermes • Amazon • Celtic Football Club Robbie Davidson Stephen Bell Customer Service Assistant, Tesco Extra Catering Assistant, Serco • Newmains Community Centre • Keane Premier Support Services • Glenboig Neighbourhood House • Orbiston Community Centre (UTHEO) • Serco

LANARKSHIRE BUSINESSES Please contact SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT Lauren Williamson Early Learning & Education Support If you are looking to recruit Worker, NLC 01698 274500

4 THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Lockdown has brought its challenges to his abilities however once the role was all services however the strong explained to him, he thought it would partnership bond continues by working be a great opportunity and we knew he together and supporting our clients. could do it. Here is Deklyn’s story. Deklyn completed By working together both job coach and a DFN Project SEARCH training work coach were able to guide Deklyn programme from Aug 2018 to June 2019 through the various stages of the where he completed three placements application process and prepared him within University Hospital Monklands. for the interview. These placements gave him an insight After his interview Deklyn immediately into work and a confidence in the type contacted both his work coach and job of jobs he wanted to do. Deklyn’s coach to advise he had been successful disability has brought challenges for and had received his official offer of him throughout his life which he has employment and is now just awaiting a had to try and overcome, and his only NLC Supported Enterprise has always start date pending his final Disclosure real experience of the working had an excellent working relationship Checks. environment was through placements with Cumbernauld Job Centre which via DFN Project SEARCH. Deklyn is delighted with the joint has led to many success stories support provided which gave him the Supported Enterprise Service job coaches throughout the years. confidence to apply for this excellent and his workcoach at DWP worked opportunity to work for DWP.Deklyn We have regular meetings to discuss our together to ensure Deklyn achieved his said “without the support of my job clients and job opportunities; meet new dream and he is now due to start as an coach and workcoach I wouldn’t have staff and make them aware of our Administrative Apprenticeship within had the confidence to apply for this service; and welcome new referrals from the DWP. great opportunity to work as an clients that we can jointly support. We both knew Deklyn had great administrative Jobcentre staff also share information customer service skills, he was very assistant for the about vacancies in the local area as well friendly and an outgoing person and DWP, I am really training and funding that is available. would fit into this environment. looking forward to They have been instrumental when starting work.” looking at how we continue to work When we discussed the vacancy with together with our client’s goals in mind. Deklyn, he at first thought it was beyond

VIAS (Voluntary In Action ) To read more about VIAS journey wishes to thank North Lanarkshire click on the link Council for supporting them to achieve www.facebook.com/ level 3 Leader status in the Disability nlcsupportedemployment/ Confident Scheme. videos/386962945850923 The Disability Confident scheme To find out further information on North Lanarkshire Council is one of encourages employers to make the becoming Disability Confident, contact Audrey Friskey (DWP) on only two councils in Scotland to achieve most of the talents available that people 01698 483677 or Gail McKee Disability Confident Leadership status can bring to the workplace and ensures (NLC Supported Enterprise Service) employers can tap into the widest pool and as part of this accreditation is on 01698 274500 or actively encouraging other local of talent available and play a leading email [email protected]. employers to follow suit. role in changing attitudes for the better.

Virtual Christmas Jumper Day On Friday 18th December our staff took part in a virtual Christmas Jumper Day along with some furry friends that wanted in on the festivities also, the staff raised a total of £120.00 and the chosen charity was Strathcarron House.

5 What else have we been up to?

job tasters to help them get the job that David was allocated a job coach who is right for them. completed a vocational profile with him, supporting him to build his confidence The past year has proven a little and a CV he was proud of. challenging due to the pandemic but we have switched our work to online In December 2020, David was offered a and virtual meetings. We have continued Modern Apprenticeship in Business &

ASN Schools to support pupils from across North Admin with Routes to Work and started Lanarkshire via Teams, telephone and his job on 5th January 2021. emails during these challenging times. David says: David Sutherland For the past few years, we have David Sutherland (above) was a 5th year “It was brilliant to have the support of job supported pupils in our ASN schools pupil at Brannock High School in coach and it has been life changing who are looking for employment and in 2020. David was referred finding a job that I love”. are preparing to leave school. Each to our service to support him to find pupil is allocated a job coach who will employment as he wasn’t sure he carry out a vocational profile and arrange wanted to continue into 6th year.

Project Ability is a 52 week paid and He is helping to care for the animals, supported placement and training keeping the animal enclosures clean programme for young people with a and tidy and preparing food for the disability to help them get experience in animals even when Amazonia has been the world of work and a step forward in closed to the public. their employment journey. His manager Amanda Gott said: Liam Yardley Project Ability Liam Yardley is a trainee working within “Liam has grown in confidence and now Amazonia Rainforest at M&Ds Theme comes into work and gets on with tasks Park in Motherwell. Liam started his without being asked, he is learning on the placement in February 2020, just a few job and has been a great extra pair of weeks before the Covid 19 pandemic hands for our team”. really hit the UK. Liam currently works 4 days per week Due to Covid Liam only really got and thoroughly enjoys being part of the Supported Employment continue to started his placement properly in team and still being able to work during provide job coaching support to clients August and has continued to work these difficult times. on NLC’s Project Ability Programme. part-time right through the pandemic.

ROOTS Programme Dylan’s placement was with CMS role extremely well. Dylan says that “the Window Systems in Cumbernauld as Roots programme has worked really well part of Supported Enterprise Services for me. It has given me the opportunity to find a job which I love and has given Roots programme. me a sense of purpose and allowed me This programme is designed to support to learn new skills. I feel like a part of a care experienced young people into a team and I have built good relationships work placement to gain the knowledge with other staff”. and skills required to help them obtain a Dylan was successful in gaining a temp permanent job. post with CMS as his Roots placement Dylan placement commenced in was so successful. December 2019 and has taken to this

to be delivering our new project ‘No mentoring and additional support Limits’ in 2021. designed to suit the specific needs of the young person. No Limits is aimed at young people The project is funded by the Youth leaving our ASN schools and colleges Guarantee Programme. who require additional support to If you are an employer and would like prepare for the world of work. We believe that people should not be to be involved in this exciting new limited by other peoples limited This support comes in the package of a project, please get in touch withGail imagination and are therefore delighted 52 week work placement with training, McKee at [email protected]

6 Congratulations

within Forgewood and surrounding areas.” Visiting the café has also increased people’s awareness of disability as a whole and is a fantastic opportunity for the pupils to gain employability skills in a real employment situation. Having the supported enterprise team as a partner ensures that appropriate guidance and support is accessible and immediate for the pupils and this support will continue for the pupils in their transition from school into employment. Donella Duff, Pictured left to right: Lauren Fulton, Emma Hughes, Thomas Agnew and Craig Newton Supported Enterprise Manager adds, “Winning this award is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, given GO ALLSTARS... the opportunity everyone has the ability to achieve their goals and aspirations.” Congratulations to ‘Allstars Community and 2pm, every Thursday. The café offered Café’ who were chosen by SUSE (Scottish homemade soup, panini’s, toasties, The pupils have blown us away in relation Association for Supported Employment) as speciality coffees and homemade cakes. to the skills they have achieved, watching this year’s winners of the Alliance The pupils were assisted by a job coach their confidence increase whilst Scotland’s Employability Self Management and a teacher from the school who provided communicating with other people. They Award 2020. Self-management is about all the relevant training to the pupils in all have mastered many skills that are all people living with long term conditions areas of hospitality. The job coach also transferrable into all aspects of their life. being in ‘the driving seat’. It supports assisted with other employability skills and The pupils are also learning about money, people to live their lives better, on their job finding for the pupils. The café has customer care, recycling, PPE, circular terms. been great for the local community, economy and enjoying all the fun that providing low cost food for those on a low they get interacting with their job coach, Alex Neil, MSP, and Jason Leitch, National budget and all surplus foods from the café school teachers, other pupils and the Clinical Director for Scottish Government, at the end of the day was taken to the general public who support our café every joined the ceremony to reflect on how local homeless units. We look forward to week. people and projects delivering innovative welcoming every one back soon. services can make a real difference in Emma (6th year pupil at Firpark) says “The communities. Cathy Brien, Manager of Forgewood day I attend the café is the best day of the Community Centre (where the café is week and I love meeting new people and Firpark Secondary School (ASN school) based) says, “Forgewood Housing having fun. I have learned so much in my and North Lanarkshire Council Supported Co-operative would like to congratulate time there and my mum is so proud of me.’ Enterprise Team started this exciting new the Allstars Café on winning this award. catering venture in October 2019 with the Overall the Allstars Community Café has a Since opening in autumn 2019 the Café support of Forgewood Community Centre strong ethos of encouraging community has been a wonderful addition to and local employer Engie who helped with participation and social inclusion, it runs Forgewood Community Centre, providing the initial set up costs. as a not-for-profit social enterprise, putting tasty food at an affordable price. The Allstars the profits back into the school and local Café plays an important role in the Prior to Covid, the café was staffed by community. senior pupils (5th and 6th years) who Forgewood Housing Co-operatives work served up a tasty lunch between 11am to address loneliness and social isolation ‘Go Allstars!’

Her dedication soon paid off when she was successful in gaining a place on the MARY WINS Healthcare Support Worker Course, NHS Lanarkshire’s Staff Bank Course. AWARD On successfully completing the course Mary always dreamed of being a nurse Mary went on to work many of her bank whilst growing up, however this was a shifts in Ward 10 in University Hospital dream that she and her family thought Wishaw and when a full time, permanent was out of sight. vacancy arose she was encouraged by the ward manager to apply for the position. Mary spent all of her primary and secondary education in ASN schools followed by her The manager could see the potential in further education being completed on an Mary, see past the barriers she faced and ASN college course. Determined to gain was delighted when she successfully employability skills which could assist her completed her interview and had no in her goal of finding employment Mary hesitation in offering her a full time applied to DFN Project SEARCH in position in her ward. University Hospital Wishaw. Mary recently won NHS Lanarkshire, Mary was an excellent student on the Learner of the Year at the annual NHS course, showing real grit and determination Lanarkshire Staff Awards Ceremony. to achieve, she was so keen to learn that she studied at home to complete all the We are all so proud of Mary and NHS Lanarkshire Learnpro modules. everything she has achieved.

7 Supported Business (NL Industries)

NL Industries are the manufacturing people and those facing barriers to To find out more about our arm of our enterprise service and they gaining employment. At NLI everyone products and services please continue to secure and complete has something unique to offer and contact Donella Duff on 01698 orders for a range of public and given the opportunity can transform 524844 or alternatively email: private companies. Specialising in their lives through the power of work. [email protected] furniture manufacturing, re-upholstery and up-cycling they provide a range NL Industries have developed a range of best value services, high quality of products suitable for Schools and furniture items and are able to deliver Nursery early learning environments. bespoke manufacturing requirements The products have been designed in to suit and meet customer demands. a range of natural textured fabrics From its roots as a supported factory, based on the principles of biophillic NL industries is today committed to design to create natural learning providing opportunities for disabled environments.

Our contact details are...

If you would like any more information on our service please don’t hesitate to contact us: SUPPORTED ENTERPRISE 313 Glasgow Road, Wishaw ML2 7SN Wishaw: 01698 274500 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.northlanarkshiresupportedenterprise.co.uk/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/nlcsupportedemployment

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