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Introduction
Duncan is a young person who was supported on our Fit For Work programme. They are non-Binary so I will refer to them as they/them throughout this case study.
Case Study
Duncan had worked with Barnardo’s previously. They disengaged from Education due to Covid-19 as they were struggling with the online learning of their college course they got back in touch with Barnardo’s. We felt that they were most suited for our Fit For Work programme where they attended 12 weeks of activities which included:
- Online sessions which gave them an opportunity to try out different online platforms such as Zoom. They even made a film entitled “zoom hell” online with the help of a local filmmaker. For the project, they wrote the script, filmed their individual parts of their phone and filmed online in a group session
- A mybank sessions, these sessions gave life skills in how to budget, different types of interest and the costs of running a home themselves. It also gave good advice of debt and who the young people could turn too. This was a certified qualification
- Walking sessions. Duncan took part in a walking challenge where the young people collectively walked the distance from Dundee to Aberdeen over several sessions. This helped to improve mental health and wellbeing and overall fitness as some of the young people in this group including Duncan were rarely leaving their house due to the lockdown the summer before.
After FFW
After Duncan had completed this programme, they were keen to still stay on with Barnardo’s. Duncan was interested in a career in CLD or social work. As such we decided he would come and volunteer with the next FFW group as he could share his lived experience with the new group. Duncan did amazingly in this group. We used a strength-based approach and incorporated creative art-based activities into this group which Duncan could lead on. This helped them grow in confidence and self-belief. Duncan also started to gain valuable skills that they could use on their personal statement for college.
At the end of the 12 weeks Duncan still required some support from Barnardo’s. During this time Duncan was successful with our support In getting a part time job in retail, this was amazing as it really helped to grow their confidence even more. As Duncan was care experience and was currently living in kinship care with his sister, we then registered Duncan with our Discover Your Potential programme which gave us the flexibility to give Duncan long term support, while on this programme, Duncan met with myself regularly. We applied for several college courses and Duncan received several offers before deciding on NC health and social care at Perth UHI.
Duncan has sustained college and is near the end of his course now, they even reached out and asked to do some of his college placement with Barnardo’s to help support other young people. They have now been given a conditional offer to study at university in London which Duncan is thrilled with.
Jenny Stewart
Explore & B’Leave
The Explore & B’Leave programme was developed in response to the covid-19 pandemic. It focuses on supporting young people aged 15-18 to make the transition from school to post-school activity; working on areas such as:
- self-esteem and confidence
- communication skills
- life skills, budgeting
- digital skills
and vocational activity such as:
- career mapping
- employer talks and visits
- college visits
- CV building
For more information about Barnardo’s Works Tayside. Please visit our Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross centre pages.
Jayne has worked with Barnardo’s Works Tayside for 6 years. Jayne started as a Service Administrator before becoming the Finance and Administration Officer. Jayne is responsible for the management of the service’s finances, keeping track of income, expenditure and the budget. She also processes all invoices, financial reports and financial claims. The aspect of the role Jayne enjoys the most is being a part of making a difference in young peoples’ lives.
Hobbies: Running, Film, Music and Camping
For more information about Barnardo’s Works Tayside. Please visit our centre pages for Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross.
Debbie has worked at Barnardo’s since 2012. Initially she worked as an “as and when worker” with Barnardo’s Works before securing a role with Children’s Services, delivering the Life Skills Project. She then worked as a Senior Practitioner and Team Manager with the SPACE and Family Service Dundee teams. Debbie returned to Works in 2017 and has been involved in delivering a range of our programmes including: Employability Fund, Discovering Your Potential, Barnardo’s Best, Angus TRIBE, Head2Work, Explore & B’Leave, and more recently our REACH Programme.
Hobbies: Being outdoors favourite place being by the sea. Debbie enjoys walking and spending time with her friends and teenage children. She loves live music so most of her down time is spent watching a band. She is vegetarian almost vegan, adores animals, and has had various animal rescue adventures.
Life Mantra: Celebrate the small things everyday and be kind.
For more information about Barnardo’s Works Tayside. Please visit our centre pages for Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross.
Donna has been working with Barnardo’s for over 3 years delivering the Head2Work and Explore & B’leave programmes. Additionally, Donna has worked as a freelance tutor with several youth groups and charities for 18 years. Her main inspiration is seeing the people she has worked with develop and grow in confidence. Donna also has vast experience as a choreographer. She has worked with young people all over Scotland. This first-hand experience has given Donna a deep belief in the power of creativity. In particular how it helps people to develop confidence, overcome barriers and move forward in their life’s.
Donna feels her main role within Barnardo’s is to inspire and equip the young people with the life skills needed. These skills help to remove the barriers they are facing in gaining employment. Head2Work and Explore & B’leave are both designed with a real emphasis on using creativity to help participants develop and grow. The work is very much led by the young people involved. This helps them to develop the skills and qualities which they may not know they have.
Hobbies: Anything to do with Musical Theatre
For more information about Barnardo’s Works Tayside. Please visit our centre pages for Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross.
Sheelagh has worked at Barnardo’s since 2007. Initially, she worked as an Employer Liaison Officer, engaging with employers across Tayside & Northeast, in 2017 she became Team Manager for Employer Engagement & Compliance (Tayside & North East), progressing to Service Manager for Tayside in 2019. Sheelagh is responsible for ensuring that all young people receive a quality service and are receiving person-centred supported on their journey towards a positive destination.
For more information about Barnardo’s Works Tayside. Please visit our centre pages for Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross.
Introduction and Overview
Barnardo’s Works Tayside operates across Dundee & Angus. We assist young people to overcome any barriers preventing them from achieving their goals. We deliver employability training and support their progression into jobs, apprenticeships, further education, and training. At Barnardo’s Works, we believe that it is important to build a trusted relationship with each young person we support; sharing information about our programmes to ensure the support we offer is tailored to your needs; along with the personal and employability goals you are focussed on achieving.
Our Offer:
-Young people will be supported by a Project Worker throughout their journey.
-We deliver a suite of programmes/activities that include SQA and sector-specific qualifications.
-Young people will have access to local volunteering, work experience and employer engagement activities.
-Young people will be able to join our service at the stage that is appropriate for them.
-Promoting positive health and wellbeing will be integrated within all programme stages.
-We aim to build young persons’ confidence, skills, and resilience to effectively transition between and across different stages of the employability pipeline. We also aim to support moving young people towards their employment goals.
Location
Barnardo’s Works Tayside
3 Fleuchar Street
Dundee
DD2 2LQ
If you would like to contact Barnardo’s Works Tayside, please use our contact links, contact form below, or details below:
Sheelagh Scott (Service Manager) – 07917 544168, sheelagh.scott@barnardos.org.uk
Ann Naughton (Team Manager) – 07562 436156, ann.naughton@barnardos.org.uk
