Participant information - How to Start a Trade School session Jan 2013

How to Start a Trade School Monday 28 January 2013 1pm-3pm Wrens Nest Community Centre Summer Road, DY1 3PD Participant information pack 1. About Trade School 2. What to expect 3. What to bring 4. What we’ll do in the session 5. People involved in making the session work 6. Participant guidelines 7. A map to the venue

1. About Trade School Trade School is a non-traditional learning space that runs on barter.

Students sign up by agreeing to meet the barter requests of teachers. Swap food, resources or advice for new knowledge.

You could learn how to bake bread in exchange for potted herbs, teach basic bike maintenance in return for recipe suggestions or books, learn how to use social media and the internet by bringing wool or materials. You can teach a class about anything you are passionate about - and say what you'd like to receive in exchange.

Anyone can teach a class!

Be a teacher, learner, co-founder or all three!

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2. What to expect • A warm welcome and cuppa on arrival • A friendly and informal session, with around 20 participants expected • A chance to hear from Laura Billings and Tessy Britton about Trade School and others they have helped to set up • Discussions with others about starting a Trade School • An opportunity to make connections with people from other organisations and neighbourhoods

3. What to bring We’d love it if you could bring a barter item to the session, to get a feeling for how Trade School works. The sort of thing to bring could be: an unwanted christmas present

a piece of fruit

a favourite recipe

post-it notes

nice tea

a surprise

4. What we’ll do in the session Hear from Laura Billings and Tessy Britton about how Trade School started in New York and now has over 30 branches worldwide.

Talk about out what types of activities you might do as part of a Trade School founding team. Think about what the first season of classes at Trade School could be.

This session is for anyone interested in being part of starting, or teaching or learning at Trade School Wrens Nest or anyone simply curious to know more - perhaps interested in starting a Trade School in another area.

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5. People involved in making the session work Wrens Nest residents Ann Aston, Myra Thompson and Dee Wyman have been getting the word out in Wrens Nest and planning ways to make you welcome.

They are keen to be co-founders of Trade School Wrens Nest. They have already carried out research to find out about the skills, knowledge and passions of people who live in Wrens Nest.

Laura Billings and Tessy Britton from Social Spaces (www.socialspaces.org) will share inspiring stories about Trade School and get the discussions going.

The volunteers at Wrens Nest Community Centre’s kitchen will be getting drinks and biscuits ready for us.

Lorna Prescott from Dudley CVS has been making the connections and getting the word out by email to people who might be interested.

If you need to get in touch with before or on the day of the session, contact Lorna: Tel: 01384 267421 Email: lorna@dudleycvs.org.uk Twitter: @dosticen

6. Participant Guidelines Supporting everyone to participate We ask everyone to respect the rights of others and to participate in the meeting as equals. This means not interrupting others when they are speaking and not using your status to make others feel less important.

Jargon and language Sometimes people use words or phrases which have special meanings and which are not understood by all people. This jargon is almost unavoidable because we all use it but we may forget that others may not understand. If you do not understand it is not your fault and you should not feel stupid if you need someone to explain what is meant. If you do not understand something please say so.

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Please avoid using language which could be construed as racist, sexist, or discriminates or is offensive to people with disabilities. If you feel that language is offensive you have the right to say so.

Social media Lorna and possibly others will be taking pictures, tweeting, and making videos during the session to put on a blog and twitter. We’ll ask you when you arrive about whether you are happy for photographs to be taken of you and respect your feelings around that. If you do fancy starring on YouTube or a podcast, please tell us - we’d love to feature you!

7. A map to the venue Wrens Nest Community Centre, Summer Road, DY1 3PD There are frequent buses (X92 and 86) to Wrens Nest, running from Dudley bus station.

To plan your journey by public transport see www.networkwestmidlands.com There is some free parking at the Community Centre, the entrance is on Willow Road, at the side of the centre. Otherwise there is on-street parking.

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