Ardenglen News
SPRING 2015
OFFICE INFO
355 TORMUSK ROAD, CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW G45 0HF TEL: 0141 634 8016 FAX: 0141 634 9016 E-MAIL: info@ardenglen.org.uk A RECOGNISED CHARITY NO. SC032542 PROPERTY FACTOR REGISTRATION NO. PF000168
THE ONLY WAY IS UP – AND UP AND UP! Ardenglen’s capacity building programme, “The Only Way Is Up,” has been running since October 2013. We are delighted to announce that a funding package has been awarded by a range of partners to enable an expanded version of the project to run for another year until the end of March 2016. Once again, we are grateful to have secured Integrated Grant Funding of £10,504 to continue to deliver our existing IT and Literacy services. On top of this, we have been awarded a whopping £49,689 from the Scottish Government’s People & Communities Fund (PCF) to support a number of initiatives including our Good Grub, Sew Fabulous and Grow Your Own programmes. Finally we are delighted to have received funding from Asda totalling £1,333 to support our new upcycling “Sew Fabulous” project. As you can see, “The Only Way Is Up” is a true Partnership and we would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and commitment of our learners as well as the help and support that all our fantastic partners provide. This strong partnership has delivered a number of successes which include: • A total of 60 learners have participated in the programme • 35 learners are currently attending each week • 12 learners have gained full time employment
Funded by Asda Carrier Bag Community Grants administered by Foundation Scotland
• 10 learners are networking with other agencies (including Jobs Business Glasgow and Skills Development Scotland) • 21 learners now engage in volunteering opportunities • 3 learners currently receive ESOL literacy support • 4 learners have progressed to intermediate MS Word & Excel • 20 learners have successfully completed their REHIS & Elementary Food & Hygiene certification with a further 6 currently engaged in the Good Grub course • 8 learners are engaging in our Sew Fabulous programme (up-cycling sewing class) • Our Grow Your Own (gardening) programme is currently engaging with 5 volunteers. • Our REVIVE learning group is now 12 members strong. • The CSCS testing programme continues to be popular. Almost all learners report that by becoming involved they are making new friendships, improving their skills and growing in confidence. Many point to an enhanced sense of wellbeing and of feeling more integrated into the life of the community than ever before. Ardenglen is delighted by these findings, which support our mission
Integrated Grant Funding managed by South East Learning Partnership
statement of “Investing In Our Community.” However, don’t just take our word for it! News of the unique, participant-centred approach adopted by The Only Way Is Up has now been featured twice by BBC Reporting Scotland and the Big Plus is currently running the fantastic learning journey of one of our participants on its website. “The Only Way Is Up” is definitely on the up and up!