Lapwing's April 2014 Newsletter

Lapwing

Newsletter April 2014

Bursaries

Jake Snowling

Generous Friends

Jake at Theatre

Christmas Party

What’s On

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Newsletter Editor: Wendy Quantrill Lapwing HQ: 01473 604809

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wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk www.lapwingsuffolk.org.uk

Lapwing Newsletter

What’s New at Lapwing

by Sophy Jones, Director of Development and Education Bursaries From its inception Lapwing has been committed to ensuring young people have access to education, regardless of the disadvantages they experience. We don’t believe there should be any ceilings on ability.

With this in mind, Lapwing has introduced a Bursary Fund to support students who are facing financial hardship.

The fund has two elements: the Guaranteed Bursary for vulnerable young people and the Discretionary Bursary for young people facing financial barriers to participation.

Vulnerable learners, who are aged at least 16 and under 19 years of age on 31 August of each year, will be eligible for a Bursary of £1,200 which is claimed by Lapwing Suffolk and paid ‘in kind’ to students to help them meet the costs related to participation including transport costs, books and equipment, field trips and other courserelated costs.

Payment of all bursaries is dependent on students maintaining attendance of 80% or above and behaving appropriately when participating in their Lapwing programme.

The criteria and application form for Guaranteed Bursaries and Discretionary Bursaries can be found on our website. If you have any questions please email our Head of Finance, Karina Scrivener, on kscrivener@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk.

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New Staff Members Several new mentors boosted our talented team this term - Liam Carney, Helen Blagden, Laura Jakab-Kurucz, Michelle Baker and Josh Revell-Brown. Gary Goodwin joined us as a temporary tutor, Susannah Rosenberg is our new finance assistant and Jo Shevlin became our interim HR Consultant.

Staff Training A huge thank you to Suffolk Community Trust for their contribution to innovative staff training courses. Firstly, a great number of staff underwent the excellent Studio III training helping them to improve the way they communicate with Lapwing students. There was also training on the use of midazolam, which is a drug for acute seizures. Lastly all Lapwing staff who have contact with students have been trained in e-safety. We continue to invest in staff training so we offer the very best learning and support to our students.

Lapwing Newsletter

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Our Generous Friends Ryan Insurance We were delighted to receive a cheque for £1000 from the staff at Ryan Insurance for their fundraising efforts in 2013.

To raise the money Ryan staff organised quiz nights, a bowling night, ‘win a day off’ monthly raffles, cake sales and donated ticket sales from their annual summer party.

We have decided to use the £1000 to help support two young students complete their mechanics courses. Ben McLaren (22) and Jonny Harvey (21) are unable to access mechanics in a traditional College setting.

Fred Olsen The Ipswich-based travel firm Fred Olsen contacted us to ask if we’d like some PCs that were surplus to requirement. This frees up yet more laptops for students to use. Thank you!

Call Connection We continue to be supported

by Call Connection with another dress down day planned for August. Our appeal for new office chairs was answered and we gratefully received a couple of chairs.

IT equipment We are still on the hunt for cordless digital phones and more office chairs if you know of any going spare.

They are currently accessing a mechanics workshop at the Gipping Skills Centre in Stowmarket with a tutor. This is a very expensive resource and their individual funding budget from the Education Funding Agency doesn’t meet the whole cost.

We are incredibly grateful to the Ryan Insurance staff for their contribution to Lapwing and our students.

Lapwing Chief Executive Sue receiving the cheque from Kayleigh at Ryan Insurance

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Lapwing Newsletter

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Christmas Party Goes with a Bang

By Emile Eno-Daynes (below centre)

On Thursday the 19th December 2013 Lapwing had their first Christmas Party. It took place at IPCity. The party was organised by Jackie’s Thursday group. There was a disco, games, a raffle, facepainting and a buffet.

Thursday’s Functional Skills group: 1 - Designed posters and invites 2 - Ordered food and drinks online 3 - Chose party games 4 - Decided prizes for the raffle 5 - Booked the venue.

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My job was taking in the money by the front door with Sophy. Other people’s jobs included preparing and setting the buffet, doing the disco and making announcements on the microphone. We organised the party in Thursday’s functional skills group. Guest and mentor Nathan said ‘I did enjoy the music, dancing and dressing up.’ Guest and mentor Clare said ‘Yes I did enjoy everything. The food was good.’

Thanks to Darren Bannister for photography and all those who donated raffle prizes. A massive thank you to Jackie Bannister for her hard work and commitment to making the party a great success.

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Jake Snowling 26 June 1997 - 11 March 2014

It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to Jake Snowling who passed away aged 16.

Jake was a Lapwing student for a few months during the summer term 2013. He was unable to attend his mainstream secondary school after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and suffering its effects.

Jake enjoyed photography with Lapwing tutor Albert Robb and fishing with mentor Andy Cutler. Albert sent us these beautiful photographs showing Jake’s artistic talent.

Unfortunately we were unable to secure funding for Jake to continue his activities in September 2013.

Tributes for Jake poured in and Facebook and Twitter were awash with messages of support for Jake’s mum Donna, dad Mark, sister Sophie and brothers Tom and Ben. In the words of his aunt Teresa Snowling: ‘Jake was the bravest boy I have ever met who fought with courage and never ever complained.

An amazing young man who will be cherished in my heart forever.’

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Lapwing Newsletter

Aisle Donate Generous local couple Debbie and Steve have donated their wedding gifts to Lapwing!

They approached us a few weeks before their reception and asked if they could put forward Lapwing as their chosen charity.

Here is the happy couple next to the gorgeous donations box Lapwing student Jake made for their party.

A huge £502 was raised and with gift aid this total reaches £627.

We were delighted when Waitrose chose us to be the recipients of their green coin scheme.

They are sending us a cheque for £179 which is fantastic!

Tom goes unsupported Student Tom Lowe, who we announced in the last newsletter has became a father, is making fantastic progress at Lapwing. He’s studying horticulture and is doing one day a week at Chantry, one at Beyond the Wall and one at Ace of Spades which is an allotment space in Bramford. He has been doing lots of work creating habitats for animals as well as studying beekeeping. The booklet he produced on beekeeping was of a really high standard and he has acheived several AQA Unit Award scheme certificates.

His confidence in the workplace is increasing all the time and he is now unsupported at Ace of Spades! Well done Tom, keep up the great work.

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Lapwing Newsletter

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Hanging out at Ipswich Ipswich Station is enjoying a splash of colour thanks to new hanging baskets created by Lapwing students.

The baskets were made at the ActivLives project at Chantry Walled Garden in Chantry Park, in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council and Abellio Greater Anglia, the train operating company on the Norwich to London line. The students grew winter flowering pansies and other seasonal bedding from plug plants and tended the finished baskets in the glasshouses at Chantry to bring them into peak condition.

ActivGardens lead horticulturalist and trainer Ric Staines (pictured left) said: “Our students have gained valuable skills relevant to working in the horticultural industry. We hope visitors to Ipswich Station will appreciate the efforts we’ve made to brighten up their journeys.”

Alan Trett, Abellio Greater Anglia’s assistant customer services manager (pictured above right), said: “We’re really grateful to ActivLives and Ipswich Borough Council for providing the new floral arrangements now on display at the station. They enhance the environment for the benefit of everyone who passes through this key gateway to the town.”

See student Michael (right) making one of the hanging baskets for Ipswich train station and below right some of the staff and students involved in the project.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Meet Susannah Rosenberg Susannah has joined Lapwing as finance assistant, helping with all things to do with Lapwing’s purse.

Tell me how you first heard of Lapwing Through my friend, Wendy Quantrill who is Lapwing’s Communications and Fundraising Manager What are your first impressions of Lapwing Incredibly positive with a “can do” atmosphere.

What do you wish other people knew about Lapwing The vital role it plays in the community – helping students to fulfil their potential.

What might students and colleagues be surprised to know about you?

I’m learning Norwegian Susannah on a recent trip to Bruges to watch The Tour of Flanders cycle race

What do you do when you aren’t working at Lapwing?

Running slowly, fairweather cycling, volunteering at Eastern Angles Theatre Company What was the last book you read (or recommended?)

Andy Kershaw’s ‘No Off Switch’. Andy, who is an engaging and energetic writer, was a college friend, so his autobiography brought back many happy memories.

What was your first job?

I was PA to a Naval Captain at the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London. He and I soon learnt that this was not my true vocation.

What lesson did you learn on that job that you keep with you today?

Courtesy and a smile costs nothing How do you manage work pressure?

Running in the park Besides work, what are your passions?

Yoga, theatre, cycling

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Lapwing Newsletter

positive learning in Suffolk

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Save the Date Lapwing Celebration Event - Wednesday 25 June 2014 Get your diary blocked out on 25 June for Lapwing’s annual Celebration Event. This year the event will be held at IP-City, Bath Street in Ipswich (next to the Audi garage).

If you’ve not been before this is when the whole of Lapwing gets together to celebrate students’ achievements. The day begins with the opportunity to see some of the students’ work and meet partners and staff. After some refreshments we begin the graduation ceremony where students receive certificates for their accomplishments. If you can join us you will be rewarded with an inspiring experience!

RHS Avenue Games The Optua Games has changed its name to the RHS Avenue Games but the concept remains the same - a fun and sporty day out for all!

This year the games will be held on Thursday 26 June from 10am to 3pm. We’ll be entering as many teams as possible to vie for trophies and medals in events such as hockey dribbling, welly wanging, football, netball shoot outs and archery. All in the grounds of the beautiful Royal Hospital School at Holbrook. If you’d like to be involved get in touch with Lapwing mentor Nathan Mills.

Behind the wheel Ben McLaren (left) has just passed his driving test! He’s now driving himself independently to his Lapwing mechanics course at The Gipping Valley skills centre.

Steven Featley is also enjoying the great independence that comes with passing your driving test. He is now able to drive to Beyond the Wall once a week.

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Lapwing Newsletter

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We’re down with the kids We love our social media at Lapwing. We use it to spread the word to potential students and current students.

We also use social media to attract funds and sponsorship, recruit staff and new trustees and tell the world at large what we’re up to.

You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Flickr, YouTube and Instagram.

If you have any great stories or photos you’d like us to share please email Wendy Quantrill on wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk.

Hoodies The superstars at GM Supplies in Martlesham are producing these lovely Lapwing hoodies for us, in great quality cotton. They are priced at £16 for the standard weight and £17.50 for the heavyweight cotton. The heavier weight has features such as flat cords and holes for your thumbs to go in when it’s chilly! It also has loops for your headphone wires and a pocket for your smartphone.

Each is made to order and there are many sizes to choose from so if you’d like one please email wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk to place an order.

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Lapwing Newsletter

positive learning in Suffolk

Jake at the Theatre Jake Roberts and his mentor Bridget Staton went to the New Wolsey Theatre on the 27th of March to see Miss Nightingale. Miss Nightingale is a war-time based musical written by Matthew Bugg who also appeared in the show.

It was a fabulously saucy and outstanding show. There was singing and dancing and some flirty songs!

They had front row seats, so got the full impact of the show. The whole cast was fantastic but they gave extra praise, to the female lead Jill Cardo who played Miss Nightingale. She impressed them with her energy and enthusiasm for the entire show. They especially liked the striptease!

All the cast were musically trained and Bridget does like a man who can blow his own trumpet! They highly recommend the show as a great evening out for a good laugh and gave the whole show a 10/10.

Luke’s wishing well Luke Burton came up with the idea of making a wishing well planter as his own project. He made the prototype with tutor Ian Norman and made plans to to visit a DIY store to cost up and select materials to make a bigger one.

He’s hoping the product will sell – and we have promised him a “cut” of the profits! He says he “honestly enjoyed the day” today. When I asked him why, he said he enjoyed turning the idea into reality, especially since it involved the prospect of making money.

We hope Luke’s entrepreneurial wishes come true!

Racing hearts Mentor Aprille’s partner took part in a charity cycle ride last year with a number of friends around Europe and raised around £10 000 for defibrillators to be allocated to any places that would benefit from them. One place which they are keen to distribute one is The Green Light Trust in Lawshall where several Lapwing students attend.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Term Dates Summer Term 2014

Tuesday 22 April 2014 – Wednesday 23 July 2014 Non Student Day Thursday 22 May 2014 Half Term Mon 26 May – Friday 30 May 2014 Summer Holiday Thurs 24 July – Thurs 4 Sept 2014 Celebration Event Wednesday 25 June 2014

Autumn Term 2014

Friday 5th Sept 2014 – Friday 19th December 2014 Non Student Days Wed 3rd and Thurs 4th Sept 2014 Students start Friday 5th September 2014 Half term Monday 27th – Friday 31st October 2014 Christmas Holiday Mon 22nd Dec 2014 – Friday 2nd Jan 2015 We will give one month’s notice of any additional staff training days.

This Lapwing Suffolk newsletter is kindly sponsored by Ryan Insurance Group.

Call 01473 343434 or visit the website to see if Ryan Insurance could provide insurance for your family or business. ww.ryan-group.co.uk

Lapwing Volunteer Hannah Berresford’s What’s On this Summer...

The Gondoliers

9 to 11 May 2014 New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Opera della Luna premieres a brand new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sparkling comic opera. For this production the company’s regular team will be augmented by a chorus of 24 young talented musical theatre performers, specially assembled from the Ipswich area.

Suffolk Show

28 and 29 May 2014 Trinity Park, Ipswich

Children aged 14 and under will enter free of charge and dog owners can once again bring their four legged family members to the Suffolk Show when the gates of Trinity Park open on May 28.

Hot Rods

21 June 2014 Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich

Soak up the atmosphere and excitement at the National Hot Rods Thunder 500 (sponsored by Cattermoles of Ipswich), BriSCA F1 Stock Cars World Qualifier, National Ministox.

Latitude Festival

17-20 July 2014 Henham Park, Southwold

Latitude, which last year won the award as best Family Festival, is back with a great line up of music, comedy, dance, theatre, literature and film. You can also spread the cost over four months leaving you more money to spend on ice creams!

www.lapwingsuffolk.co.uk

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