November 2009. The next visit
to the EU is to Bratislava where 20 young people will be doing some work experience and social activities for the second phase
of 'Culture on the Menu'. Most of the students are doing catering and hospitality course at
Coleg Powysin Newtown, and some are from other parts of Powys. This month we got the names and the plane tickets, and
in January we do some pre-visit training before setting off in early Feb 2010.
November 2009.
A small group of 5 went off to Slovakia for the final part of a two year project fund by Grundtvig. We have been sharing
ideas, experience and views around social enterprise in a project called European School for Social Enterprise with Slovakia
and the Czech Republic. There have been big developments in Eastern Europe in social enterprise models, and we gained
some valuable pointers for things we want to do here.
October 2009. One of our EU
partners in Bratislava came to spend two weeks meeting people and organisations that support children with disabilities around
Powys. The two weeks was a mix between work and socialising, and the feedback we got was terrific! It started
with presentations from Social Services about their structure and how services are commissioned and inspected,
as well as an explanation about the services provided by the authority. We visited and met a variety of organisations
and people who deliver or receive services, and the two weeks went fast and furious. A report is available on request,
an our thanks go to everyone who camw together to enable the visit to happen.
October 2009.
We have just submitted our mid-term report for our Young People Volunteering grant with the Wales Council for Voluntary
Action. The report was written in the main by young people who participate in the activities. We will be holding
our final event in March 2010, when all the things we have done will be on display to families, friends and organisatins we
have worked with.
June 2009. Leonardo Lifelong Learning Programme has accepted the two projects
we submitted in February. One to take young learners to Bratislava to gain practical work experience in the care of disabled
children, and the other to Bratislava to work in Hair, Beauty and alternative therapy placements.
June 2009. Our partners in Slovakia and the Czech Republic came for a weeks visit as part
of the Grundtvig funded project 'European School of Social Enterprise' We gave them a working and social week
that included a visit to Phoenix in Newtown, where Dave and his team demonstrated a valuable community enterprise. Phoenix
is a must to visit for people on low income, and a great place to work.
March 2009. Charity status confirmed. Annual General Meeting has happened.
Exciting new ideas from the vibrant group.
Jan 2009. The new office is open for business
in Welshpool (as per contact details). The volume of enquiries has increased from both our groups. We are preparing
to submit project applications to take young people to various countries in the EU for work experience. Subjects include
Catering in Bratislava, Hair & Beauty in the Czeck Republic, Female Football in Bratislava, and Care for Disabled Children
in Spain. We are also discussing a major 2 year project around a debating group between Powys, Italy and Slovakia.
All these will provide an exciting cultural experience and work opportunities that relate to vocational training. Watch
this site for details later this year.
January 20th 2009. We have partnered with Disability Powys to provide services and expertise
on race issues within the Equality and Human Rights Commission agenda. Our links with cultural and ethnic groups througout
Wales and beyond is growing.
January 10th 2009. We are seeking funds to develop a Social Enterprise Start-up course
at vocatioal levels 1,2 &3 with Coleg Harlech and other training organisations. The project is called Social Enterprise
Training for Work (SET4Wk) and will involve Greece and Slovakia
