Calling The Shots is a three year lottery funded project to train 12 people with a learning disability in Lancashire to be trainers. Once trained the beneficiaries will then go on to train support staff within their own and other service provider organisations.The ethos of the project is that people who use services will effect change from within and make a real impact on the way services are provided within Lancashire.
The first six people, along with two staff members, have already undertaken the first course that consisted of 11 half-day weekly workshops.
Six of the eight people who attended the course also attained the Professional Trainer Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. The course was designed by ARC to make it accessible for people who have a learning disability by Michele Baldwin, the project coordinator from ARC.
The beneficiaries worked hard throughout the 11 weeks of the course learning how to plan, prepare and present training.
So, as a reward for all their efforts a celebration day was held on 26 April 2007 at City Church, Preston, which was attended by family and friends of the beneficiaries. Yvonne Furze from ARC head office in Chesterfield gave out course attendance certificates to all the beneficiaries.
Individuals recounted their experience of being on the course and what benefits they gained 
from it.
Then it was time for the group to take questions from the floor
and as at all good celebrations, there was a cake to be cut!
The course and the celebration day was enjoyed by all who were involved.
The next course is now taking place in Lancashire. Anyone who would like more information about the project can contact Michelle Thornton or Michele Baldwin at the ARC NW office - 01282 838838, or by email - Michelle Thornton or Michele Baldwin.
____________________________________________________________________________________
March 2008
After the success of our first course we are now pleased to offer FREE places to staff on the following courses, which are desiged and run by pepole with a learning disability.
- The Importance of Having A Job To be held at the Blackburn Enterprise Centre on Wednesday 14 May and Wednesday 11 June 2008 from 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm. This course is designed to help staff understand the importance to people with a learning disability of having their own job.
- Accessible Meetings To be held at North Bridge House, Elm Street, Burnley on Wednesday 30 April and Wednesday 21 May 2008 from 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm. This course will help train staff to work in ways that involve people with a learning disability.
- Communication To be held at Marian House, 218 Tulketh Road, Preston on Thursday 22 May 2008 from 10.30 am - 1.00 pm. This course helps staff to understand the importance of finding ways of communicating with a person who has a learning disability.
Elements of the courses have been cross-referenced to LDQ & NVQ in care. Due to the Lottery requirements we can only offer the above free training to voluntary/not-for-profit and charitable organisations.
Our trainers are also available to provide FREE in-house training. Please call for details and availability.
You can book a place at one of these events online by going to the Events Section of our website.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Newsletters
December 2007 Click here to download
____________________________________________________________________________________
