Whats on in January 2008

Internet and Email 8 week course to learn how to find things on the internet, to satisfy your curiosity or to save money, and use email fully. Include material from the internet in your word documents and send documents attachments to your email. Use the internet to shop or book holidays. Two classes starting on Monday 14th January (9:30 – 12:00) and Tuesday 22nd January (12:30 – 3:00) in the Action Resource Centre (ARC) 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead.

Personnel module of the HE certificate of Business Studies 7 weeks course commencing 11th January 9:30 – 12:30 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead. This FREE module provides an introductory study of personnel management matters that affect the way in which organizations operate. It offers basic insight into areas students will need to appreciate with regards to a business environment, although they may not always be directly involved. It will illustrate how personnel and employment matters impact on the operating environment of individuals within business.

ESOL – English for Speakers of other languages – come along to the Action Resource Centre (ARC) to learn how to speak and write English, learn grammar and citizenship FREE for all those who don’t have English as their first language. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 14th January 08.

PC Surgery – A FREE service for all who are having computer problems, whether it is hardware, software, anti virus problems and much, much more. Every Wednesday 1:30 – 4:30 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue with our system support technicians and trained volunteers.

Pre GCSE Maths and English available to all adults to brush up on Maths and Literacy. It is FREE and is great if you want to help your children with homework, brush up on skills you have forgotten since you left school, ideal for gaining more skills to find a job. Every Monday 1:00 – 3;00 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead from January 14th 08.

Back up and Burn is an 8 week course available at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead. Come along and learn how to put your text, photos, music and video to disc. How to store all your important information safely. Commencing 22 January at 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Café ARC is a lovely community café, situated in the heart of the Portmead community on Broughton Avenue, which provides a wide range of tasty food including healthy options, breakfasts, baguettes, snacks, hot and cold drinks plus a delivery service and buffet service available. Call in for cuppa and find out more. Open Monday – Friday 9:30 – 3;00. Volunteering opportunities available.

Job Vacancy

As a director of Spark Blaenymaes, I wish to advertise this job:Let's Play Project ManagerSalary - £25,000 PA pro rata (£20,270.27 PA)Hours - 30 hours per weekContract Details - Temporary until March 31st 2008There is a current vacancy with Spark Blaenymaes Ltd for a Managers position with our 'Lets Play' Project. We are looking for a dynamic person to lead and direct this project from its base in Portmead Primary School. The 'Let's Play' project manager will have responsibility for all aspects of the project (staff management, service delivery and financial monitoring), and will report directly to the Chief Executive.For an application pack please contact Spark Blaenymaes on 01792 585538 or email us on admin.assist@sparkblaenymaes.org.ukClosing date 12 October 2007

Poverty and Play

I attended a meeting Tuesday in the Healthy Living Centre in Winch Wen - when I eventually found it - to talk about play stategies and how poverty affects play (Bridging the Policy Gap). When we think of poverty we just think of money usually but it means not having enough of - and our 'bridging the policy gap' group is looking at the play stategy to see what works and what is missing - we are doing a lot of hard work and will be linking with others in Newham and Glasgow as its part of an EU stategy to eradicate child poverty - so I hope what we contribute will have good outcomes for the future of our children. I have been asked to find out if any other voluntary sector groups or agencies wish to be a part of the review - and this would benefit anyone who is involved with 'play or youth work' etc - please get in touch with Karen.grunhut@swansea.gov.uk Some people who attended the launch were under the impression this was just about different types of poverty - but now this group is only concentrating on the PLAY STRTERGY. Please help if you can.

New Timetable is Ready

If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy of the timetable for 2007 - 2008 please contact Debbie Jones at the ARC, ring 578632 or email debbie.jones3@swansea.gov.uk
The enrolment day for these courses is Wednesday August 15th 2007 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. here, at the ARC - 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead SA5 5JS.

Stress and Anger Management

If anyone knows any one who is interested in Stress and Anger Management and how to control these feelings, please let Debbie know in the ARC, as I am looking to put on a staster session some time in late August - it will be a 2 week sessionwith the view to put on a fuller course at a later date. Thanks

ESOL provision during summer

English Language Training Services offer free English language classes to any non-native speakers of English during July and August. Details below.
If you are in contact with any overseas visitor, refugee, staff member, student or family of such a non-native speaker who would appreciate free language teaching, please let them know about this.
Free classes run from 3rd July to 27th July and 6th August to 26th August
Classes run from 1.30 p.m. (13:30) to about 1530 from Monday to Friday
ALL non-native speakers of English at ALL levels are welcome.
You do NOT need to be part of the university.
You may join the class at any time, for any period of time.
There is no need to pre-book or enrol.
The initial meeting is in Room 248, Keir Hardie Building. All classes are in the Keir Hardie Building, opposite the library.
If you wish to join the class after the start date, to find out the correct room, please:
email - or visit English Language Training Services in the Grove Building.
Note
For insurance reasons, we are not able to accept anyone under 16. Sorry.

Sustainability Training

Come along to our half day training session, and learn all there is to know about sustainability, recycling and keeping green!! Tuesday 31st July from 9:30 - 12:00 - at the ARC, 45 Broughton Avenue - tel 578632 - suitable for all groups and organisations.

Summer IT Taster Provision

Come to our Summer Taster IT Class every Monday and Tuesday from 1230 - 3 pm starting the 16th July 07 - for 7 weeks. Learn all the basics, on how to word process, write a business letter, prepare a CV and much much more. For further details contact Debbie Jones 578632.

Cymraeg

anybody want to learn Welsh? i am currently trying to arrange some beginners courses here. more advanced courses might be possible for those who need them. i am looking at maybe a monday evening 6 til 8, let me know.

Please invite

Phil, please can you invite Claire Jones to this blog.
Thanks

Summer Carnival

It won’t be long before a carnival will be in most people’s minds and everyone will be wanting to know what is happening about it. So I thought I would try to organise a meeting with all the organisations and groups in our area so we can talk about what each group could offer and possibly contribute to the carnival day.

In this area alone we have a number of organisations and groups who provide a service or create activities all through the year. Just by looking at a few of them we already have the opportunity to create a day full of variety and fun.

The date for the Carnival will be September 1st, and the timing of the event will be discussed at the meeting.

The first Carnival meeting will be at the Action Resource Centre on the 15th June.
2pm till 3:30pm.

We would like at least one person from each organisation or group to attend this first meeting.
Please let me know if you can attend. Maggie Comley.

Two events this week

On Tuesday 29th there is a litter pick at St Teilos Church starting at 11.30 with free refreshments afterwards.

Wednesday 30th 1pm til 3pm at Spark we have a family challenge with XL Wales (k-nex)

All Welcome!!!!

I know this is short notice for these events but I'm still learning. Will do better.

hi phil

i been involved with swansea food connection steering group since november 2005 designing and compiling 5 booklet around healthy eating in and around swansea we willbe launching these booklets on 13th june at the scout hut if any members of the community team would like to come please let know and i can send further details i am off next week back in work on the 4th.

thanks lynn

Thanks for the visit

I just wish to thank Phil on behalf of the BPP Development Trust for him bringing the Spark students to the ARC, and the rest of the estate to see whats on.. thats what you call working in partnership.
Im really glad you all enjoyed and hope that some of them will come back again maybe to tell a story of their own, or take up a course or just call in the cafe for a cuppa. Your all welcome anytime. See you soon. Well done Phil.

Adult Learners Week

Wednesday 23rd May 2007



Today 7 of the students here at Spark took up the challenge to walk all the way around Blaenymaes. The idea was to try and show them what is going on in the area.



First stop was the Penplas Family Centre. All were very impressed with what they saw. All of them were there for the first time and most admitted they didn't even know where it was although they had heard of it.

Next on the tour was 104 community house where Brian, the full time volunteer made a very good presentation explaining to them what work goes on in there.

Across the road to the New Drop in Centre. Fiona and Julie explained the benefits of the Fruit & Veg co-op as well as informing the group of other volunteering opportunities in the NDIC and elsewhere.

Up to the ARC. Digital stories, a presentation by Anthony on the work of the trust followed by the best best lunch possible (cream cakes, tea and biscuits lol)

In all seriousness though the group we took out from here were buzzing all the way back to Spark. There was an air of genuine excitement amongst them at the amount and quality of the work that is taking place in their area.

I did not have time to take any feedback from the group apart from the discussion as we were walking back down but will do at the next opportunity and let you all know what they really thought.

Thankyou to all of you who took part you have helped to spread the community development word.

ESOL provision

Swansea college are covering our ESOL classes while DACE are unable ot provide until September. So our full range of ESOL is now as follows:

• Monday 9:30 - 11:30 Swansea College (no childcare)
• Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30 Swansea College (no childcare)
• Tuesday 1 - 3 WEA (with childcare)
• Thursday 10-12 WEA (with childcare)

So if you know of anyone interested in ESOL entry level 2/3 send them along - cheers!

Nearly there

Hi all

I only need three more of those invited to sign up and we will have the whole team.

you know who you are lol

i have made it

hi phil thanks for the invite to your blogg back in work today catching up after training still trying to digest all that i've learnt hope to speak soon lynn

I've returned

Hi guys - I am back at work now, this has been my first week, catching up on all my emails, meetings with staff and out and about with Nicky visiting PC surgery in Ammanford ABC building and Glyn Neath Training Centre.
Have had a meeting with Swansea College to look at putting on Basic Skills courses, called 'help your kids with homework' and 'getting back to work' - looking at CV writing, interview skills and business letters.
Any news courses about the area, please keep me informed - not much happening new at the ARC right now, due to the time of the year, with DACE ending courses by 13th July - but plenty of space for those who wish to join 'Word and File Management' - give us a ring!!!

Pop in for help at the ARC!

Just a quick post to remind you all that Claire and I are running a free drop in session every Wednesday morning from 10:00 - 12:30 at the Action Resource Centre. We can offer free advice and help with all sorts of technology, whether you need help understanding 'digital television' and freeview, or your mobile phone frightens you we can help! If mp3's have got you in a muddle or your computer is causing a crisis then pop along!

While Im away

Hi there - as you all may know i am off on the sick at the moment after having surgery on my foot. So if anyone has any queries about educationa nd lifelong learning at the ARC, see the lovely lisa.

There are not many new courses on at this time of year as they are coming to an end for the Summer, but if anyone is interested in doing Word and File Management (suitable for absolute beginners) then there is space in the June class.

Hope you like the pic of my foot.. ha ha

Operation Go Ahead!

Hi guys - just to let you all know that my cancelled surgery is back on again tomorrow at Singleton Hospital...so flowers, chocolates and cards back on.
I will be off for a while hobbling round and unable to drive for ages and ages, so see you soon guys!!!!

The ARC is in!

Yeah!! at last i have managed to be a part of the blogging system with Phil. Great stuff!!
We have a few new courses happening at the ARC, such as Use Your PC effectively, Back Up and Burn CD's and DVD's, Word and File Management and a NEW FREE open access clinic 'Pop in 4 help' with Owen and Claire.
So keep posted for all the lastest news at the ARC. Chow for now. Debz

What is the point of this

recent attempts to try and tie everybody down to a meeting have failed miserably. at present i have invited only certain people to post comments on here. we are all involved in community development in this area and i feel this may be able to help us work as a team rather than as individuals. hope to hear from you all soon

Phil

Hope this works

Hi all

if you are reading this then we must be getting somewhere.