Welcome to the Open Welcome to the Open Doors Project Celebratory Doors Project Celebratory EventEventThis project ran from September to March 2011/12

A partnership between Wirral Metropolitan College, Merseyside Probation Service and Wirral Council for Voluntary Services.

This project was one of the successful bids that were approved through the Adult Community Learning Fund, with funding from Skills Funding Agency, managed by the National Institute of Continuing Education (NIACE).

The aim of this project has The aim of this project has been to: been to: provide bespoke advice and guidance in the job

clubswiden opportunities raise aspirationsgive you a choice to sample different pathwaysdiscover new skills develop and brush up on other skills receive mentoring support during your learning

journey train to become peer mentors to encourage

others in to learningplan your progression into vocational training and

employment

We started in September with a Floristry We started in September with a Floristry and Horticulture short courseand Horticulture short course

Floristry courseFloristry course

Laura progressed in January to the BTEC Diploma in Floristry Laura progressed in January to the BTEC Diploma in Floristry and Contemporary Design in College. She started from the and Contemporary Design in College. She started from the short Open Doors Project Floristry and Horticulture Course, short Open Doors Project Floristry and Horticulture Course, she completed at TWW. She hopes to open her own shop one she completed at TWW. She hopes to open her own shop one day. This is her work on display today. day. This is her work on display today.

Steve first joined the project through the Probation Job Club, Steve first joined the project through the Probation Job Club, where he met the College adviser Mike, and George, the where he met the College adviser Mike, and George, the College mentor. He came to a First Aid Course and then College mentor. He came to a First Aid Course and then progressed in January to a Basic Brickwork course. The Open progressed in January to a Basic Brickwork course. The Open Doors Project funded this course for him. He has built a Doors Project funded this course for him. He has built a wishing well in his parent’s front garden and has started wishing well in his parent’s front garden and has started employment this Monday in a recycling firm, which has a employment this Monday in a recycling firm, which has a construction arm to its business.construction arm to its business.

Open Doors Let’s Cook –Open Doors Let’s Cook – bread making session bread making session

Open Doors Let’s CookOpen Doors Let’s Cook

Let’s Cook – Andrew, Duncan, Graham and Wayne have now Let’s Cook – Andrew, Duncan, Graham and Wayne have now progressed on to the NVQ Level 1 Food Preparation Course. Open progressed on to the NVQ Level 1 Food Preparation Course. Open Doors has funded the chef’s whites for 2 of the learners. All 4 hope to Doors has funded the chef’s whites for 2 of the learners. All 4 hope to progress to Level 2 in September and gain employment in the catering progress to Level 2 in September and gain employment in the catering trade. trade.

First group of Open Awards Mentoring First group of Open Awards Mentoring students completed in December and are students completed in December and are now volunteering as peer mentors. now volunteering as peer mentors.

We have run a number of We have run a number of Emergency First Aid at Work Emergency First Aid at Work

CoursesCourses

College Beauty students ran a College Beauty students ran a Pamper Day Pamper Day at at Tomorrow’s Women Wirral, in order to promote the Tomorrow’s Women Wirral, in order to promote the Open Doors First Steps Beauty courseOpen Doors First Steps Beauty course

Pamper DayPamper Day

After the After the Pamper DayPamper Day, Kate joined the , Kate joined the First Steps to First Steps to Beauty Beauty course. In January she enrolled on the course. In January she enrolled on the VTCT Nail VTCT Nail Course. Open Doors has helped to fund her progression. She Course. Open Doors has helped to fund her progression. She is on the way to being a qualified Beautician.is on the way to being a qualified Beautician.

Our target Our target was to engage 50 men and women was to engage 50 men and women on this project in a range of courses - 65 have on this project in a range of courses - 65 have participated in the project since September.participated in the project since September.

Learners have progressed Learners have progressed on toon toC& G Brick work and Painting and Decorating C& G Brick work and Painting and Decorating Courses Level 1, NVQ Level1Food Preparation,Courses Level 1, NVQ Level1Food Preparation,VTCT Beauty Course (Nail Extensions),VTCT Beauty Course (Nail Extensions),NCFE Personal and Community Development NCFE Personal and Community Development Course, BTEC Diploma in Floristry and 10 are Course, BTEC Diploma in Floristry and 10 are due to achieve their Open Awards Mentoring due to achieve their Open Awards Mentoring training to become Peer Mentors and training to become Peer Mentors and Volunteers. Volunteers. Others are working on improving their Literacy Others are working on improving their Literacy and Numeracy. and Numeracy.

Then and Now Then and Now by Helen by Helen McKeown. Helen wrote this poem on McKeown. Helen wrote this poem on the the Finding a VoiceFinding a Voice course and read it on Radio 4. It was on course and read it on Radio 4. It was on Pick of the Week.Pick of the Week.

Dark clouds gathering   Sky full of despair   Storm brewing   How did I get there?      Lost in a cyclone   Twisting and turning   Mind in turmoil   Fear, yearning.      Out of the darkness   Into the sunshine   No more hurting   New beginnings are mine.

Recycled CraftsRecycled Crafts

Money ManagementMoney Management

First Steps with First Steps with ComputersComputers

Motor Vehicle WorkshopMotor Vehicle Workshop

Sound and Radio Production Sound and Radio Production Workshop at 7 Waves Radio Workshop at 7 Waves Radio WirralWirral

One day nationally One day nationally accredited courses to help accredited courses to help

your CVyour CV

CIEH Food Safety for the Catering Industry

IOSH Working Safely Course

James has been attending a C&G James has been attending a C&G Painting and Decorating Course funded Painting and Decorating Course funded by the Open Doors Project and plans to by the Open Doors Project and plans to continue with Part 2 in Aprilcontinue with Part 2 in April

Celebration event in Celebration event in December at Tomorrow’s December at Tomorrow’s Women WirralWomen Wirral

A big thank you to A big thank you to everyone for making this everyone for making this project a success. It is project a success. It is just the beginning for all just the beginning for all of us.of us.