Outset Workshops prove very popular

We are delighted to report that we have had a great response to the Outset Bristol workshops, which is fantastic. Connect <> Lockleaze have worked hard to promote them and the Outset team have flyered approx 2,800 homes within the ward and it's starting to pay off...

The current programme of Friday 'Intro To Enterprise' workshops at the Cameron Centre are full.

9 people are booked on to the Stress Management workshop at the Langley Centre this week – 3 places left.

The Confidence Building workshop at the Langley Centre next week is more than full (!) with 13 people booked on.

The weekly drop-in's at NBAC and Boing! have been quiet (as expected) but Lydia has met one very entrepreneurial lady and she is now meeting her on a 1:1 basis to help take her business ideas forward.

More workshops are planned for February and we will be announcing the dates soon - watch this space...

Government service standard for digital services

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, speaking at the government’s Sprint 13 conference today, reiterated that a service standard for digital services will be published by the Cabinet Office by April 2013.

He assured the audience that “this does not mean we will neglect the people who do not have online access – every single government service will still be available to everyone through our assisted digital programme, which will ensure no one is left behind.”

Visit the Cabinet Office website for more information.

Could you be the Age UK Internet Champion of the Year 2013?

Age UK is running the Internet Champion of the Year competition for the fourth year running and this year the theme is ‘Why I love my life online’.

Have you attended any of our Connect <> Lockleaze IT training? Have you experienced a positive life change as a result of learning to use the internet? Are you are aged 55 or over?

Yes!

Well, why not visit the Age UK website for more information, competition rules and online nomination form. The competition closes on Monday 10 January 2013.

If you win you will be inspiring others to experience the wonders of the web for the first time, as well as enjoying a host of other exclusive prizes.

Good Luck.

Appreciating our Student Support

Connect <> Lockleaze is working closely with student volunteers from University of West of England (UWE).

They tell us that they are interested in volunteering opportunities for a number of reasons: useful experience to add to their cvs, an opportunity to be involved with their local community, to have fun and, last but not least, to help others.

Our volunteers chose Connect <> Lockleaze because they are IT literate, enjoy using the internet and, having spent a lot of time online, were confident they had the skills required to help someone less confident than themselves when using modern technology!

So far, students have helped out open access sessions on a Friday at Boing! as well as 1-2-1 sessions on a Wednesday at the Langley Centre.



Ben, one of our student volunteers, helping Ron and Robert improve their IT skills.



A variety of people have turned up or booked in for these sessions, all with their own individual questions and queries – some have been easily solvable, others less straightforward but all have been worked through successfully!

For example, we have helped people pay bills, order groceries, watch video clips, edit pictures, and navigate social media sites.



Anna and James enjoyed working together regularly over a 6-week period.



  

The students tell us that they have enjoyed the sessions and have left feeling like they’ve accomplished something!

Follow their excellent example - volunteer with Connect <> Lockleaze because as well as helping people gain confidence when using modern equipment, it is a beneficial process to all involved and is definitely enjoyable!

Email connectlockleaze@gmail.com now to get involved.

Learning through a lens

If you are currently attending the Connect <> Lockleaze / Learning Communities Digital Photography course at the Cameron Centre, why don’t you put what you are learning into practice… enter the Adult Learners’ Week photo competition.

They are looking for photos that reflect the many different types of learning available, from learning for work, family and community, to learning through sports, technology or arts, craft and culture. Your photos could inspire others to give learning a go.

Winners will be announced during Adult Learners’ Week in May 2013. The top three photos will win photographic vouchers worth £200, £100 or £50 and will be exhibited at photographic gallery for one week, as well as featured on the Adult Learners’ Week website.

As your photograph may be used for publicity purposes please ensure that you have consent from anyone being photographed and complete the Permission Form.

Submit your entries with an accompanying Permission form by email to alwcomp@niace.org.uk by Thursday 21 February 2013

Note: This competition is open to participants in England only. Terms and conditions apply.

Setting Out in Partnership with Outset!

Recently, Lydia Samuel, an Enterprise Coach at Outset Bristol, contacted us to see how they can work more closely with Connect <> Lockleaze to offer additional support in the Lockleaze area.

Their Introduction to Enterprise programme has been running successfully at The Cameron Centre since the beginning of October.

Gail Bowen-Huggett had a very productive meeting with Lydia yesterday and they agreed that

Lockleaze residents would definitely benefit from our organisations working together to raise awareness of the support they have available as well as their self employment courses.

As a result, we have agreed to run:

• a couple of trial foundation workshops at the Langley Centre.
• another Intro to Enterprise programme at the Cameron Centre in the New Year
• weekly drop-in sessions at North Bristol Advice Centre (Mondays) and Boing! (Wednesdays).

We will let you know as soon we have confirmed start dates for these events.

Celebrating with Quartet Community Foundation

Quartet Community Foundation aims to change people's lives for the better across the West of England. They do this by enabling a wide variety of donors to fund projects that make a difference where people live and work.

Each year they hold an Annual Celebration where they invite a number of community groups to showcase a sample of the work that has been done as a result of the generosity of our donors.

So on 16th October 2012, North Bristol Advice Centre (NBAC) took advantage of their invitation to this year’s annual celebration to showcase their services and latest initiatives to over 140 guests.

Naturally, the Connect <> Lockleaze project was highlighted as one of their most exciting new initiatives. Hopefully, the project’s co-operative nature will help to inspire individuals and organisations interested in supporting the wellbeing of their local communities.

Earlier in the day, NBAC attended ‘The Power of Partnership’, a free event held by Business in the Community and Bristol ProHelp to encourage businesses and community groups to meet and forge working partnerships.

Once again, Connect <> Lockleaze was mentioned (a perfect example of that the event was designed to encourage!) and the HR Manager at Rolls Royce (a Lockleaze boy himself!) suggested we contact their Head of Education to see if there were any opportunities that could be explored. We will!