Julie's SCVS Blog

Presentation

2006-03-17T15:03:00.000Z

After weeks of worring about this presentation the day finally arrived.

Well to the gang out there we did it mates. Everybody played their parts and the nice thing about was the possitve feed back from community members .

Be prepared

2006-02-10T23:18:00.000Z

The deadline for planning the next presentation is less than a week away.

We're all busy at our placements but spare a bit of time for this task.

It would be brilliant if we are all up to date by the 17th and ready to show how well we can do this.

So lets get those thinking caps on!

Life after the presenation

2006-02-08T23:31:00.000Z

Oh well, the internal presenation is over and boy did we learn some serious lessions.

Managing our time more effectively
Researching the subject properly
Thinking how we would deliver the presenation
Team work
Most importantly supporting each other.

Things were difficult at times but we got through it and managed to deliver a reasonable presentation.

One of the most important things I have learned through this traineeship
is how important it is to support each other, whether it is a colleage or community member.

If you know someone is there for you it eases the stress and strain, and if something does go wrong help is close at hand.

Personally I don't think I'll ever enjoy presentations but I'm not alone in this. Michelle & Becky had their first go and I must say they were brilliant.

Well done to everyone for putting this together and lets get the external presentation up to scratch.

Rycycling on the Hill

2006-02-04T21:21:00.000Z

It's official. The Hill is to have it's own fashion show using only recycled items. These communities will join together again to deliver an important message about recycling.

Working in partnership with the Enviroment Centre we aim to show how important it is to preserve what we have and how many items can be re used.

I once saw a gothic brides dress made out of black bags. It wasn't until the compare decribed the dress that I realised what it was made of.

Our imaginations are our only boundries.So get thinking and if anyone has any ideas or scrap materials they don't want please let me know.

One more day

2006-01-30T22:12:00.000Z

One more day to go before the presentation. Everything is finally coming together (we hope).

This is a great opportunity to practice all the skills we have learned and for Becky & Michelle to have a go at their first presentation.

At the moment the nerves seem fine but who knows about on the day, The one thing I am sure of this that we will support each other and hopefully sell the idea of blogging to our audience.

Blog Presentation

2006-01-25T23:42:00.000Z

The deadline for the presentation is drawing closer.

How are we all doing?

Are we almost ready?

I'm in the office after 2pm on Friday if anyone has a couple of minutes to chat.

This presentaion is only ever going to be as good as the effort we put into it, so lets show what we can do.

With all the talent we have between us and a little effort and we can't fail.

Fun and Games

2006-01-25T23:31:00.000Z

At the moment I'm working with Topic House and Homestart so today along with Michelle we were helping with the mums and toddlers group.

Michelle had a great idea to make cornflake chocolate cakes with the toddlers. This was great fun and everyone enjoyed themselves. If anyone has any ideas it would be great.

Finished at Last

2006-01-23T23:06:00.000Z

Making this dvd has been an uphill struggle from start to finish with problems every step of the way but its finally finished.

I'm really pleased with the result and to be quite honest it nearly got me beat.

I think if I hadn't memntioned it to the groups who took part in the parade I probably would have binned it a long time ago.

But now its finished I'm glad I stuck at it.

Stephan Speilberg I'm not, but I think for a humble trainee its not a bad job.

Community Blogging

2006-01-20T21:58:00.000Z

Just a thought, what about seeing if this really can work with community groups ? If any of the trainee's are stuck for a project how about starting a blog with a group of community members and see how far they can develop the idea.

Maybe even appling for funding and starting a blogging group in its own right.Who knows, the great thing about blogging is it can stretch as far as your imagination.

Jeremy has all the info if anyone's interested.

Book club project

2006-01-19T22:07:00.000Z

This week I've been a little under the weather and its been a long week but working with volunteers today put the smile back on my face.

Children from Gors School were making a gaint book about themselves and their community.

Whoever thought this idea up is brilliant. Its so simple and cheap to do.

We had pieces of hardboard about 24' x 36' painted a backgound on each side and cut out photographs which everyone had fetched in. It was great, everyone looking at each others photographs telling their stories. Each page had a message about the past and the hopes for the future. One message said " Its nice to be important but its more important to be nice".

Children had made pictures of their houses out of straws, a sewing group had a cross stitch picture, flower arranging class help the children glue flowers on a tree they had drawn. I even drew a self portrait after a bit of encouragement.

From past to present each page was brilliant and as individual as the person who made it.

If anyone is in the area its well worth a look, this simple idea can be used for just about any project.

Fashion on The HIll

2006-01-16T23:50:00.000Z

Here we go again!

Another project underway. This time its a community fashion show.

Due to the success of the lantern parade 12 people have expressed an interest in forming an events committee. My role this time is to help theese twelve people understand the process behind working together and organising events.

Although the idea for the fashion show is mine as with the lantern parade the community will shape and form it into whatever they think will work best. A rough plan has already been put together but this time community groups don't need any encouragement they are eager to take part.

I'm sure that this steering group will give 100% to this event as they did with the lantern parade and make this fashion show as much of a success.

I will truly have acheived uniting the three communities if this group of people continue to organise events long after I have moved on.

Be Professional

2006-01-14T14:24:00.000Z

Recently an incident occurred that really got to me, I totally lost it and committed the cardinal sin. I vented my anger and published an article in a public place. Although I didn’t name the person I was having a go at, you really didn’t have to be a genius to work it out.

I was so angry at the incident that I blew it out of all proportion and concentrated on one negative point instead of all the positive ones. I acted totally unprofessional and could have caused myself some serious problems.

As usual I have learnt the hard way but I have learnt a serious lesson.

It is important we remember we are professionals and we must act in an appropriate manner. But if you must blow off steam make sure it is in a safe environment not a public place, one day you may their help.

Community Development & Blogging

2006-01-13T20:23:00.000Z

As I'm sure you are aware myself along with the trainees are taking part in a blogging pilot scheme. This scheme is nearing its end and we now have to evaluate how it could benefit development workers. I would really appreciate any ideas you may have

Budgets

2006-01-13T19:37:00.000Z

In the past I have organised projects with little or no budget, this has always made things more difficult than perhaps they could have been, but you have to work with what you have. However during my most recent project I was fortunate to recieve a grant for the total cost.

During this project it seemed almost a full time job making sure each group had enough equipment to meet their needs. It didn't occour to me that I had grant money to cover equipment costs . When this was pointed out to me I hesitated because it was a luxury for me to able to go and buy exactly what equipment we needed. Although we were managing with limited equipment I was wasting time transporting it around, so in the long run buying equipment made my life less stressful it also saved me so much time.

I was trying to save money but instead I was wasting time which in itself is wasting money.

When you are applying for funding don't try to cut corners and just manage, be realistic and write into the bid exactly what you need and you will find your project will be much more manageable. Although we spent money buying equipment the community how has the equipment to use time and time again.

Community Transport Scheme

2006-01-11T00:13:00.000Z

Well Done

Making Movies

2006-01-04T20:24:00.000Z

At the moment I'm currently making a dvd.

Stephen Speilberg I am not but I'm having a go.

Time seems to fade away when you enter the studio.

Here in Bonymaen we are lucky enough to have Tidy TV on our doorstep.This is a community project that enables local people to access video cameras and an editing studio.

Although we use this facility to edit video diaries and instructional videos the karate students make I wish I could say that I am an expert.Hopefully the more I use the equipment the easier it will become.

But for now I'll just hope for the best.

Silent Partners

2006-01-03T15:27:00.000Z

Its all gone quiet again
.
Is anyone out there I ask myself?

I know this is pilot project for us trainee's but has everyone else given up as well?

Everyone has a story to tell about their antics over the festive period or about a real bad present they had.

I can't believe after our christmas do we all sat about bored doing nothing.

Come on, get blogging.

East meets West

2005-12-31T09:46:00.000Z

For the last few months I've been thinking about taking a group of youngsters from the karate club to Japan.

This would be the jewel in the crown for any student to have the opportunity to train and grade with the Japanese Grand Masters.

These students would live and train for 2 weeks in the Japanese way and experience Japanese Culture first hand.

In two years time our Sensei (Instructor) will reach a milestone birthday and our two junior instructors will be old enough to try for there 2nd Dan black belts.At this time we will have a number of students who would be able to grade and who better to grade them but a Grand Master.

Unfortunatly for us this will cost £20,000, although this seems a tremendous task it is not an impossible one.The experience these students will gain from this trip will be worth every penny.

Although we are a karate club our main aim is to encourage students to learn and experience new things and support them through this learning process.

So if anyone has a spare £20,000 (ha ha ) or any funding ideas I would be very grateful.

2006

2005-12-29T10:08:00.000Z

What can we do next? I'm thinking what will 2006 bring?
Joy, Sadness, Frustration and Success.

Each year we wish for a better new year and we say that it can't get any worse than last year.

But 2006 for me will bring new opportunities and many more challenges to overcome.

Dissapointed but not defeated

2005-12-29T09:44:00.000Z

In my last post I was dissapointed with an article that had been published . At the time it felt like an insult to the people who had worked so hard to make this event such a success, but now the red mist has settled and I am thinking clearly again I was looking for a way to include those groups who were left out of the original article.

During one of my many conversations with Carole Barrett we talked about how dissapointed I was about and she came up with the idea of writing a reflection of everything that has happened on The Hill during 2005. This reflection would of course include the lantern parade and a chance to include all those groups who had previously been forgotten.

As Jeremy reminds us that you cannot control peoples actions or the outcome of every event but its great to get a second chance to put things right.

Thanks Carole.

Success

2005-12-17T03:45:00.000Z

For the last three months Townhill, Mayhill and the Gors have been working together to hold its first community lantern parade. Things at times have been difficult but on Tuesday evening three hundred people turned out to celebrate the unification of these communities. What a night. Loughor brass band played carols and the community clapped and cheered their way through the evening. My greatest challenge was to overcome my nerves and fear and deliver a speech to the community.

Iit has been a great privilege to work with so many people. We were all so pleased that we had made this event such a success.

On Friday evening I received a phone call asking me to read the newspaper. I was dissapointed at the fact that not all the groups and communties had been mentioned.However. This has been a difficult but useful learning experience and in future I will ensure that I have a publicity strategy in place.

Nevertheless, this article does not and will not detract from the wonderful work and that has been acheived by the communities of the Gors, Mayhill and Townhill.

I

It's All Go

2005-12-09T07:54:00.000Z

Tonight is party time for the staff of Topic House. A meal on the town then straight onto another party at my mates place.Tomorrow night I'm out with the karate club gang and if previous experience is anything to go by its going to be a long night, another meal followd by the casino.

I'm flagging already with all these parties does anyone feel the same or is it me just getting old?

Christmas Party

2005-12-06T18:28:00.000Z

Hi Trainee's is everyone going to the christmas party? It's our last week John and Phil so let's party.

Is anyone out there?

2005-12-03T23:16:00.000Z

Where have you all gone? Has everyone stopped blogging? Am I the last blogger? I know we are all really busy but if you can spare a few minutes for blogging and we can make this project work.

Community Spirit

2005-12-03T22:48:00.000Z

Today was the first of our open lantern making workshops in Townhill Community Centre. It was a great success watching families working together.

Everyone was a bit nervous to start but after a few minutes everyone relaxed and there was no stopping them.It gave me great pleasure to watch as they assembled their lanterns. Parents and children working together chatting away about what shapes they were going to put on them.

The aim of this parade was to unite the three communities on the hill and although we are not having the parade until 13th Decemeber we have acheived our goal already.The communities have put aside their differences and are working together .

We have 14 more workshops left to complete before the big day and I hope that they are all as successful as the ones we have already completed. The community have really got behind this project and have shaped and formed it every step of the way.

The communities on the Hill can stand proud and say they have made every effort to make this parade a success.

What Next?

2005-12-01T23:19:00.000Z

Today was the last training session that John, Phil and myself will attend as trainees. We asked each other many questions about our future.

Are there any jobs for us ?
What happens next?
Will anyone give us a chance to use these new skills we have learnt?Who knows?

Personally if I don't find a job I will carry on as a volunteer at Topic House because I feel I still have much to learn and working here is a great way of getting the hands on experience that hopefully one day will find me a position as a development worker.

I have really enjoyed this traineeship and am grateful for the opportunities it has brought but I think that if it lasted for 18 months or 2 years you would have more time to gain the experience needed to become a successful development worker, But like everything else in the voluntary sector jobs are short term and rely on funding.

Web Log Presentation

2005-11-30T22:19:00.000Z

Here we go again. Another chance to get my presentaion skills up to standard.

Us trainee's are putting together a presentation about how useful blogging can be.

John and myself are working at how blogging can help community development and enable communities to share information and make new contacts with other communities.

If anyone has any ideas we would be grateful? Blogging is about sharing and having an oppertunity to have your say. So lets put it to the test.

T.O.P.I.C. House Volunteers Night

2005-11-27T17:29:00.000Z

Party Time came early this year with a celebration of all the hard work that goes into making Topic House such a special place.

To me this highlights how powerful the voluntary sector can be.

People of all ages young and old gathered together to enjoy themselves in a night I will remember for a long time to come. The music played and the drink flowed and the sound of laughter echoed out. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves.Nobody sat on their own it was like one large family.

At the end of the evenng Carole Barrett and myself escorted two ladies back to their nursing home in Morriston. It was 11.45pm and they were still singing and dancing. One of these ladies is 95 and there's no stopping her.

These volunteers are a great example of what can be acheived and how volunteers can make a difference.

The Traineeship

2005-11-26T03:19:00.000Z

Another week has passed and we are close to finishing our traineeship.What will the future bring? Who knows? Whatever happens the one thing I'm sure of is that I have have really enjoyed this year.

Working with Becky this week has been particually great because it fetches back memories of me when I first started. She has so much energy and enthusiasm with youngsters and the patience of a saint. In my opinion She also has one of the most important qualities of development work being able to listern and relate to people. Some people have the gift of the gab but that doesn't mean they are better than us it only means they can talk alot.

This traineeship will give you the knowledge and understanding of how you will become a development worker and your placement's will give you some experience but your passion for the job will get you through the self doubt.

I hope as I move on in the big wide world all the trainee's get as much as I did out of this traineeship.

Never Assume Anything

2005-11-21T21:55:00.000Z

I learnt an important rule about being a development worker today. I assumed that people would actually do what they had promised. As usual I learnt the hard way.But in future I will double check everything and make sure that people are aware of what they are commiting to. A simple task became hard work today but we overcame the problems and acheived what we set out to do.
Working on The HIll is also a good lesson in time management, assertiveness and prioritising. It is impossible to be everywhere at once and be at everyone's beck and call. After a manic day I finally turned my mobile off because of the constant interuprions . I have been very considerate about other people's timetables and commitments but this has to be two way.

Tomorrow is a new day and an opportunity to polish my skills and be more assertive.

Another Weekend in Sophia Gardens

2005-11-21T07:38:00.000Z

On Saturday we took students from the karate club to Cardiff to complete another part of their national refereeing qualification. These students are also doing an NVQ level 2 coaching award. Most people think about karate as a sport where people just beat each other up. How wrong they are.
To complete this part of their course they spent 8 hours in a training room and then did a wriiten exam they also had to spend 12 hours in a competition doing the practical part of the exam on Sunday.
The rest of the team took part in the Welsh Open Karate Championships on Sunday and had a great day another 2 gold medalists, silver and a bronze. Everyone did really well. As you can see sport has great oppertunities.

Well Done Everyone

What A day

2005-11-16T23:05:00.000Z

Today Maggie and myself facilitaded a lantern parade workshop in Gors Community Centre. I think I can speak for Maggie in saying we really enjoyed ourselves. There was a great atmosphere everyone was laughing and joking and happily working on their lanterns.

After lunch we started the second workshop at TOPIC House. Maggie was brilliant and helped two ladies make an amazing star shape lantern. These ladies were so engrossed that they wouldn't leave until it was finished. The excitment was terrific and the sense of pride and acheivement was awsome. Who would have thought a few pieces of willow and masking tape would have such an effect.

Well Done to everyone who took part today and a special thanks to Maggie for all her hard work its been a privelidge to work along side you .

Working together to make a difference

2005-11-15T17:37:00.000Z

The count down to the first ever lantern parade on The Hill is on, Facilitators have been trained , the lantern making materials have been delivered and the custumes for the children are almost ready.

Our first workshops have been completed and community members proudly show off their lanterns. Tomorrow the workshops on The Gors will start.

It gives me so much pleasure to enable people to take part in this event. A visit to the Brondeig group last week highlighted what community development is all about. This group are so exited that they have been included in this event and are really looking forward to their first workshop.

In true development worker style Phil and Maggie are helping out and the the terrific support from Sarah is a great comfort. With everybody working together this can only be a triumph for community development and the people of The Hill.

Life on the Hill

2005-11-11T22:32:00.000Z

Life in the fast lane at TOPIC House.

This week has been one of those weeks, endless meetings, community lantern parade workshops and I never thought that I would be teaching a school teacher how to do something. It was a great feeling.

I think I have finally got the hang of this job.

Never let older people fool you into thinking they have less energy than someone half their age.I am exhausted just watching them .
Today three wonderful volunteers prepared 50 three course meals for older people to enjoy, On the menu was brocilli and stilton soup with a roast beef dinner this was then followed by fresh cream gateux or chesecake.

These ladie are the unsung heros of the voluntary sector.

It has been a busy week but it has also been a great week in as far as experience goes. All those hours we spent on training have been put into practice even the dealing with conflict course. I can honstly say that I have earned every penny of my wages this week and I'm ready for a relaxing weekend.

Proud to be Welsh

2005-11-07T20:20:00.000Z

Watching the faces of these yp as they entered the area was amazing. the national anthem was playing and they were waving to the cheering crowd, they enjoyed every second of the opening ceremony.
Everyone of them is a winner in their own right but it's not about being the best its about being part of something much greater. These yp are there for each other through the good and the bad times and thats what makes them special.
Most people win trophies during their lifetime but how many people earn the respect of their Masters. To be challenged by the Japanese World Champions was a great priviledge but to defeat them was a great honour.

Well Done kids I'm proud of you.

Five Days To Go

2005-10-29T03:08:00.000Z

Two young people from Tora Shin Karate Club getting ready to compete in the European Youth Karate Championships in Holland. Along with other team mates they will represent their country on the World stage.

Good Luck to everyone, you are winners for getting this far.

2005-10-27T02:44:00.000Z

After a conversation we trainees had today some of us were experiencing sleepness nights and waking up asking ourselves numerous questions about projects that we were involved with.
Next week I am taking a group of 22 local young people to Holland and although this has taken months of organising and making sure that every eventuallity has been covered I still have these sleepness nights. The difference now is that I know that for me this is part of the prccess of organisating these trips and all the nerves will disappear and the exictment and the satisfaction of helping these youngsters experience new things far outweighs the whole process you have to go through and more than makes up for those sleepness nights.
Does anyone else experience sleepness nights when they organise projects or do they disappear with experience?

Lantern Parade Worksops

2005-10-21T03:26:00.000Z

Volunteers learning to facilitate their own workshops. Hope Maggie , Becky and MIchelle enjoyed taking part. Thanks and Well Done.

My week so far

2005-10-20T04:50:00.000Z

Its been a busy week for me, I've been painting, making lanterns and even learnt how to use a sewing machine. I've also been rehearsing a play called "The Ace of Diamonds". We will being taking part in a community show in January at the Mount Pleasent Institute, so its all go at the moment.What wil next week bring?

My First week

2005-10-13T14:29:00.000Z

I remember walking around SCVS thinking how am I going to remember all these people and how will I find my way around?
The first week I found quite difficult I suppose. Lots of information lots of questions about my personal ability.

Can I do this?
How will I cope?
Will I fit In?
What if I can't do what they want me to do?

By the end of the first week my brain hurt with all this new information and I was glad to have a day or two to think things over and to try to understand what was going on.

Community Development Work is about Enabling and Empowering the community,
this traineeship is the start of your own enabling and empowerment.

Remember learning may seem difficult now but as you gain more experience curiousity will take over and you will strive to learn new skills.

Don't worry about what you can't do, consentrate on what you do well and your traineeship will be an enjoyable experience.

If you need any help give me a shout, you are not on your own.

Good Luck Girls
"If you believe it you will acheive it".

Brass band needed

2005-10-11T12:08:00.000Z

Help!

If anyone knows a brass band that is available for the Lantern Parade please let me know.

Community Lantern Parade

2005-10-11T12:03:00.000Z

I am currently on placement at Topic House in Mayhill.
At the moment we are working with other groups in the area to organise a Christmas Community Lantern Parade.This will take place on 13th December.

If you would like any information about the parade or how to organise your own please let me know.

Presentations

2005-10-06T23:20:00.000Z

I have just completed a presentation about my previous placement.I find doing presentations a nightmare and I was extremely nervous but managed to struggle through with the help of my audience. I would like to thank everybody for their constructive feed back and now realise what is the best way for me to deliver presentations.I am not looking forward to doing presentations in the future but I feel that each time my presentations are improving.

2005-10-06T09:56:00.000Z

Hi Fellow trainees this is a great idea.

Hi Guys

2005-10-06T09:47:00.000Z

This is great. I have completed the logging on process in one go.