APEX: think4urself

APEX SCOTLAND

THE MOVING ON PROJECT

Apex Scotland secured this service provision to deliver New Futures Training to residents within Dumfries & Stranraer. The project involves a partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council and Apex Scotland.

The main objectives of the service are to provide an integrated, multiple intervention programme which will identify suitable personal development opportunities, which in turn create an opportunity to move away from social exclusion and into sustainable localised programmes specifically in relation to training and employment.

The Service aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Reduce the barriers facing the client group through advocacy and counselling and improved liaison between agencies working with the identified client group.
To provide innovative work and personal development provision for client group members who are not likely to cope with Skillseekers or New Deal provision.
To assist individuals to move on in relation to their specific action plan in achieving identified outcomes.

Background to the Service
Concerns were raised by agencies in the voluntary and statutory sectors regarding the opportunities and support available to 16-17 year olds in receipt of Severe Hardship payments and identified that similar issues affected disadvantaged young people generally.

Arising from these meetings there was a consensus about the necessity of a multi-agency approach to address these issues. From here the "Moving On Project" was launched with Apex Scotland being the preferred service provider. The service will target those aged 16-34, currently unemployed and not yet ready for mainstream provision.

The project operates Dumfries & Galloway wide. Dumfries & Galloway Council and several of the intervention partners currently reach the target group through existing services within the statutory and non statutory areas. The Council through an identified officer, the Youth Strategy Co-ordinator, plays a pivotal role with regard to the partnership and assists with the creation of networking protocols. A steering group represents all organisations working within the partnership.

The Council draws on the other intervention partners with a vested interest, e.g. supported accommodation, alcohol dependency, specialist employabilityt programmes. This ensures that the needs of the clients are paramount to the success of the project.

If you are interested in finding out more about this project, or any other Apex Scotland Scotland project, please e-mail us on: vikkib@apexscotland.org.uk.

GET READY FOR WORK - LIFESKILLS

The Get Ready for Work programme operates from Apex Scotland's Dumfries and Stranraer offices and consists of a number of different Lifeskills including:

Job Search
Basic Skills for Life
Interview Techniques
Self Esteem and Confidence
Dealing with Authority and Conflict
Budgeting/Managing Money
Literacy/Numeracy work
Drug and Alcohol Awareness

Plus much more including group work and outside activities. Emphasis is given to make the programme as varied as possible and not a "classroom" feel.

There will be visits to local employers, local training agencies and there will also be opportunities for work tasters and work placements, which would give the opportunity of putting what you have learned into practice.

This would lead to progressing onto other training courses, Skillseekers programmes, New Deal Initiatives, employment or other opportunities you wish to access. This will depend on the stages you are at and when you are ready to move on.

For further information please contact a member of the Get Ready for Work team on Dumfries 01387 256310 or Stranraer 01776 700973 or speak to your careers advisor on 01387 272500.

Contact Information

Contact: Vikki Binnie
Email: vikkib@apexscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01776 700 973
Fax: 01387 262 400

Apex Scotland
Stranraer Unit
46 George Street
Stranraer
DG9 7RH

Apex Scotland
Dumfries Unit
77/79 Friars Vennel
Dumfries
DG1 2RF

Telephone: 01387 256 310

Service Manager: Harry Mennie

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