GUIDE
10th November 2011
What to ask, who is here and what do they do?
Have a think about:
What would I like to be doing after I leave school?
What do I enjoy, and what don’t I enjoy?
What am I good at?
Who could help me at The Futures Fair?
Talk to your family, friends or a teacher and see if they can help you think about these things. Look together at our list of organisations and decide who you’d like to speak to on the day!
There’ll be different zones like Work & Training Zone and Leisure Zone – get in the zone you want and start asking questions! Here’s some ideas:
Who are you?
How can you help me?
How can we contact you?
Top tip!
Why not pick the TOP 3 IDEAS you get from the day and pass these on to your Careers Advisor / Teacher / Social Worker?
I went to The Futures Fair 2011 and am interested in....
Who /what / Contact details / Reason1.
2.
3.
Feeling lost?
Just look for our Futures Fair helpers on the day. They’ll be wearing a badge like this and can answer any questions you have.
Get in the zone!
Who is here and what do they do?
WORK AND TRAINING ZONE
Bridges Project –
Bridges Project enables socially excluded young people to make a safe transition to adult responsibilities, and remain in, or return to, their own or the wider local community. They are committed to the principle that young people should determine and shape their own future. They run a range of services helping young people with literacy, numeracy, setting up their own home, moving into work and provide learning and social opportunities.
Fiona Langskaill – Head of Education and Employability
East Lothian Skill Centre: Get Ready for Work and Activity Agreements
Get Ready for Work is a National training programme helping young people develop employability skills whilst attending a full time work experience placement. Young people receive a weekly allowance, and the programme runs for 26 weeks. Activity Agreements are an agreement between a young person (16-18) and a Trusted Professional that they will take part in different activities - how long this lasts depends on the young person. You could claim Education Maintenance Allowance on this programme.
Karen Steedman – Personal Development Officer & Karen Brown – Lead for Activity Agreements
ELVOS
East Lothian Vocational Opportunities Scheme (ELVOS) is run by East Lothian Council. ELVOS helps people with physical, learning, sensory or mental health disabilities to find employment opportunities. The service is available, free of charge, to East Lothian residents aged 16-65 and you can contact ELVOS directly, or ask a friend, relative or carer to contact us on your behalf. Other organisations and professionals may also refer.
Jim Scott – Manager
IntoWork –
One member of the IntoWork team is currently working in partnership with ELVOS to provide a supported employment service.
Gary Mitchell - Employment Development Worker
Garvald Edinburgh –
Garvald Edinburgh offers creative opportunities and support for adults with learning disabilities. This includes work skills, education and training in the areas of baking and food production, arts and crafts, woodwork and tools renovation.
Pinaach Kolte
Ingeus (formerly Work Directions) –
Ingeus delivers flexible employment programmes to long-term unemployed people, those with health conditions and single parents. They currently run the Work Programme and work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus/DWP.
Grace Pile – Deputy Operations Manager
Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisor -
Disability Employment Advisers are usually based in Jobcentre Plus offices. They can provide specialist support on employment issues and refer on to schemes such as the WorkStep programme.
Tracy Lygo - Disability Employment Advisor, MusselburghMarion Joass - Employment Partnership Manager, Borders, East Lothian & Mid Lothian
Mobex (Kygyo project)
The Mobex East Lothian - Kygyo project (Know yourself, Grow your own) is a mobile environmental training project for young volunteers 16-25. The volunteers can learn practical conservation workskills, environmental activities& games, outdoor adventure and working with community groups.Volunteers have the chance to:
- Gain skills and experience in something they enjoy
- Make a difference to their local community or environment
- Gain nationally recognised qualifications
- Be part of a team and have fun
Lorraine Johnston
Number 6 -
Number 6 is a One-Stop Shop for adults with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) who live in the Lothians. The service is provided by Autism Initiatives. Staff provide social opportunities and advice, and can offer 1:1 support around employment/education.
Maddy Simpson – Development Worker & Kim Maxwell - Activities Coordinator
‘On the Move’-Action on Hearing Loss Transitions Project (formerly RNID)
Funded by The Big Lottery Fund ‘On the Move’ supports young people aged 16 – 25 who are deaf or hard of hearing to have a smooth transition from school into college / university, to access training and employment, build life skills and confidence as well as to find work experience placements. They also work with employers and service providers to help them provide the best possible service to deaf and hard of hearing people.
Barbra Wylie – Employment Advisor & Lauren Jarvis – Project Administrator
Skills Development Scotland– or
Skills Development Scotland advisers can help you think about what you want and need from a career or a job, what types of job are right for you, and what training you will need for that career / job.
Mick Burns – Careers Adviser
Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VDEL) –
VDEL help find volunteering opportunities for people within East Lothian and also run a ‘befriending scheme’ to reduce social isolation. Come and find out more about the brand new Saltire Awards.
Laura Craig – Youth Development Worker
DAY OPPORTUNITIES ZONE
East Lothian Council Day Services –
East Lothian Council runs three resource centres for people with learning disability from the age of 16. Tynebank, Mansfield Road and Port Seton Resource Centres provide a range of day activities and educational opportunities both within their own centres and within local communities.
Caitriona Houston, Manager (representing the 3 services)
E2 (Capability Scotland)–
E2 work with a person centred approach and support individuals to meet their potential / needs and wishes. They support young people and adults with complex care needs in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. They offer opportunities and a range of day activities within community based projects, baking, arts and crafts, communication support, hydrotherapy sessions and more.
Liz Gold – Manager
Fairbridge –
Fairbridge works with marginalised young people aged 13-25, running groups & residential opportunities that focus on helping young people develop self-confidence and skills they need to change their lives.
Carrie McDonald – Outreach Development Worker
New Trinity Service (Capability Scotland) -
New Trinity Service work with a person centred approach and support individuals to meet their potential / needs and wishes. They support young people and adults with learning, physical, learning and physical disabilities and complex care needs in Edinburgh and surrounding areas. They offer opportunities and a range of day activities within work skills, community based projects, baking, arts and crafts, communication support and more.
Lewis Hunston – Manager
Pishwanton Woods –
Pishwanton Wood Project is a place of learning set in 6o acres of semi-woodland at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills in East Lothian. They are developing a Centre for environmental education and therapy, and offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to renew and deepen their relationship to nature.
Scottish Autism -
Scottish Autism (previously Scottish Society for Autism) has been supporting families in Scotland affected by autism for over 40 years. It offers a range of support for people with autism including education, day care, supported living, vocational opportunities, respite and outreach.
Claire McKenzie - Senior Autism Practitioner & Karen Gracie - Regional Manager
Upward Mobility –
Upward Mobility is a registered charity providing educational and creative workshops within a structured and progressive day service environment. Workshops are based upon detailed objectives and individual outcomes, designed to build self-confidence while providing unique opportunities for creative expression and personal development. Upward Mobility currently runs over 30 workshop sessions per week (Film, Photography, Multimedia, Drama, Music, Creative Movement, Yoga, Community Gardening, Work Experience and many more!). Upward Mobility provides support services 24 hours per day / 7 days per week / 52 weeks per year.
Josh Barton - Manager
Garvald Workshops and Services – see under Garvald Edinburgh (Work and Training Opportunities section)
INFORMATION AND ADVICE
ZONE
Carers of East Lothian –
COEL supports all adults in a caring situation in East Lothian by provision of information and services to help their individual caring role, enhance wellbeing and strengthen their collective voice to improve services.
Contact A Family –
Contact a Family is a charity that provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability.
Lesley Gray - Enquiries & Group Development Officer
Disabled GO! –
DisabledGo collects information about all kinds of venues that are being accessed by members of the public, including buildings, open spaces and attractions. They produce accessibility guides for various towns/cities, educational places, and health resources.
East Lothian Diversity Network
The East Lothian Diversity Networkbrings together individuals, community organisations and groups that are interested in equality and diversity issues. Everyone is welcome to join and take part in our events!
Representative to be confirmed
East Lothian Income Maximisation Project – The Action Group
The project offers financial and benefit assessments to help families with disabled children and young people with disabilities aged 16-25. We can help to ensure you aregetting all the money and benefits you are entitled to, fill out forms, appeal decisions and provide general budgeting advice.
Karen Whyte – Advice Worker
Family Led Information Point (FLIP) –
FLIP is for parents and carers who have a child or relative or who think they have a child or relative with additional support needs in East Lothian. The parents who attend the group agreed that the purpose of the group is to:
· Share information with parents about services for children and young people with additional support needs
· Advise Council Departments and other agencies on how access to information for parents and carers could be improved on
· Identify gaps in information for parents and carers about additional support needs. For more information, please email children&, phone 01620 827 755, visit or find FLIP East Lothian on Facebook. Jane Ogden-Smith – Involvement Officer & FLIP parents / carers.
Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau –
A “charity for the community”, they can offer advice on wide range of issues and signpost you to numerous other organisations and people who can help.
Wilma Archibald - Outreach Advisor & Carol Finneron – Fairer East Lothian Fuel Poverty Project
Housing, East Lothian Council
East Lothian Council's Community Housing and Property Management Division is responsible for managing the Council's housing stock. Information will be available on how to apply for housing with East Lothian Council and about the range of housing providers, including housing associations.
Calum MacLeod and Angela Gardiner/Debbie Berston, Andrew Gordon & Mike Lloyd
LGBT -
LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s largest youth and community-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisation. We work to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT youth and LGBT communities in Scotland.
Nigel Chipps – Youth and Community Development Officer
Local Area Coordination & New Beginnings Club (Capability Scotland) –
Local Area Coordination is a way of helping people with learning disabilities to live good lives in their community. They offer you independent advice and support to achieve this.
New Beginnings Club, supported by the Local Area Coordinators, is…
Carrie Poole & Sue Green – Local Area Coordinators
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCIL)-
A disabled people’s user-led organisation that provides: information and support with all aspects of managing Direct Payments, a payroll service for those employing personal assistants, training, counselling and a disability information helpline and website (‘Grapevine’).
Louise McMeel – Independent Living Officer
Mindroom –
Mindroom is a Scottish charity dedicated to creating awareness of learning difficulties.
They also provide direct help and support for children and adults affected by learning difficulties.
Sophie Dow - Founder
Ownership Options –
Ownership Options directly assist disabled people by advising them on, and supporting them through, the complex design, financial and legal processes involved in finding a suitable home. They provide information, advice and training on housing and disability issues to the public, private and voluntary sectors and raise awareness of the problems disabled people face in relation to their housing, and highlight the solutions and opportunities that exist.
Karen Campbell – Housing Options Broker
Welfare Rights Team, East Lothian Council –
East Lothian Council have a Welfare Rights team who offer free and confidential information and advice on rights and benefits. They have regular drop-in surgeries all over East Lothian.
Marion Connolly – Senior Welfare Rights Officer
HAVING YOUR SAY
ZONE
Been there, Done that!
We’ve already left school. Come and speak to us about what we do now!
Young people from East Lothian will be on-hand to tell you about what they’ve gone on to do after leaving school. There’ll also be a DVD for you to watch (made by Upward Mobility) showing more young people’s stories.
Common Ground Mediation –
Common Ground Mediation provides an independent Additional Support Needs (ASN) mediation service within the Scottish education system, working to resolve disputes between parents and the education department and/or school regarding a child who has additional support needs.
Morag Steven – Director
East Lothian Community Care Forum -
Some of the most vulnerable people in society are helped by community care servicesorganised bythe health boards and local authorities. East Lothian Community Care Forumgives people a platform to voice their views, concerns and ideas on how best these services can be planned and delivered.
Lesley Aitkenhead – Development Manager
Edinburgh Development Group (EDG) -
Info to follow.
Steve Coulson – Development Worker
Partners in Advocacy –
Provide one-to-one and group advocacy to people labelled with a learning disability and living in East Lothian offering support on rights, accessible information and having their opinion heard.
Suz McManus - one-to-one advocacy & Lorna Wynn - Collective/Group advocacy
Transforming Transitions -
Come and see how Person Centred Planning can help you to think about the future! Robert will be doing quick 15 minute planning sessions to help you think about what you're good at and like doing. Transforming Transitions is a free service, and provides independent facilitators to plan with people who are in transition in, or from, school. This planning keeps the hopes and dreams of the young person at the core, and supports the move towards the next stage in the young person's life.
Robert Weetman - Coordinator
Who Cares? Scotland -
Who Cares? Scotland is an independent voluntary organisation, providing advocacy, supportand information on Children's Rights to: children and young people who are looked after away from home(Aged up to 25); children and young people who are on theChild Protection Register (Aged up to 16); children and young people or who have Additional Support Needs under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004. (Aged up to 18)
Susan Armstrong / Beth Moon - Young Persons Worker
Young Scot & Scottish Youth Parliament -
Young Scot provides information and advice to young people aged 11-26yrs in Scotland. They also support access to National Entitlement cards, discounts and rewards linked to the East Lothian NE cards.
Meet your Scottish Youth Parliament representative at The Futures Fair – we’ll have a ‘surgery’ where you can get information or put forward issues for them to take forward on your behalf.
Caroline Davis – Dialogue Youth Coordinator