Wednesday 30 September 2009

Countdown to opening

September 2009 Newsletter

Progress to Date

I’m pleased to report that the building work is now fully underway and all going to plan. I have attached some photos and although it still looks very much like a building site I am assured that good progress is being made! We have been informed that we should be able to open at the end of November which is very good news.

Learning Shop Tours

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to arrange any further tours at present due to health and safety requirements. I will make sure that photos are posted on the blog regularly though so that you can see how the work is progressing.

First Aid Courses

When the shop opens, it is essential that we have a qualified first aider on site at all times. We really need to get as many of us trained up as possible. Please can you contact me if you’d like to attend a certificated first aid course – there is some funding available for this.

Transformation Fund Bid

I’m pleased to report that Ray Wilkinson’s bid was successful and we now have funding to run a number of Saturday taster sessions at the Learning Shop. The first two have been arranged and are:

A talk on the history of the local area (including the Post Office) followed by a minibus tour – Saturday 21st November

A Christmas arts and crafts event – Saturday 12th December

We need your help in running at least another 5 such events. Possible ideas include the following:-

· Session on business start up
· Healthy living promotion
· Environmental project
· Visit to the RSPB
· I.T Sessions
· Introduction to foreign languages – possibly parents and children
· Concourse event for car enthusiasts

The purpose of these sessions is to engage the community and get participants interested in learning so they can be fun and enjoyable. We need your help in planning and running these. Please contact me if you have anything you’d like to run or wish to discuss further.

Staffing

We now know that we will be opening between mid and end of November. Some of you have already indicated your availability but please can you confirm the regular days/times you will be able to work in the Learning Shop so that I can begin drafting a rota of cover.

Opening times are:-

Wednesday – 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Thursday – 9,30 am t0 7.00 pm
Friday – 9.30 am to 5.00 pm

Due to health and safety, it is essential that we maintain a minimum amount of staff at all times, so if you could let me know your availability that would be very helpful.

Common Procedures

As the opening of the shop approaches, I think it will be very important to develop common procedures so that we all work in similar ways. Examples of this include the following:-

- how we record clients who come into the shop
- how we refer clients who come into the shop
- how we deal with any complaints

Any ideas on this would be appreciated as it is beneficial to share good practise. I am going to work on a number of these and arrange a meeting nearer the opening of the shop so that we can review and agree together. Again, if you have any ideas before then, please contact me or post to the blog.

Action Required

Please contact me with the following at d.brisco@uel.ac.uk

· The completed grid showing the days/times that you or any member of your organisation is available to work at the Learning Shop.
· If you would like to complete a first aid at work qualification.
· Any ideas of good practise in developing common procedures.