All posts by Charmaine Swift

Warwickshire Careers Strategy

News

Warwickshire educators, businesses and local residents are to have their say on shaping a new Careers Strategy for the county.
Warwickshire County Council is undertaking a public consultation from 19 June – 26 July, to allow a wide variety of voices to give feedback on the Council’s draft Careers Strategy.
Effective careers and employability advice and support are critical components of a successful local economy. They can help people gain the skills needed by local employers, and pursue careers that match their talents and interests, as well as support those who want, or need, to change occupations. Good careers advice can also facilitate social mobility by raising aspirations and highlighting career pathways individuals may not have thought of.
With the number of vacancies posted online in Warwickshire growing, and the ratio of vacancies to working age population almost double the national regional average, according to Office for National Statistics figures, an effective careers strategy for the county is vital.
Key audiences for the consultation include residents – particularly, vulnerable groups such as care leavers; young people, parents and adults looking to retrain; businesses; education and training providers. The County Council will be running a series of formal and informal meetings and consultations to reach these groups across the county with the help of schools the Local Enterprise Partnership; Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Businesses.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council says:
“Warwickshire has a strong and growing economy which the County Council works hard to support. It’s vital that the skills and aspirations of the local workforce match the needs of that economy. Through our Careers Strategy we want to expose Warwickshire students, their influencers and educators to careers in local growth sectors and increase the number of people taking up further education and higher value employment in those sectors.
“We also want to enable all our residents – whatever their age – to access the education and skills they need to secure fulfilling, appropriate, sustainable and well paid employment throughout their lives, which supports the growth and prosperity of Warwickshire’s economy. We’d like to hear from as many voices as possible during this consultation period, to ensure our strategy takes into account the needs and views of all sectors of our community.”
To take part in the online consultation follow this link: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ask
Warwickshire County Council’s new draft Careers Strategy is based on the principles set out in the Government’s National Careers Strategy of December 2017 which highlights the merits of timely careers and employability support in terms of sustainable employment and higher lifetime earnings. Warwickshire County Council’s draft Careers Strategy currently has five key priorities:
• Raising the awareness of the range of career and employment opportunities locally, inspiring residents of all ages to develop their education and skills as far as possible
• Building the capacity of our education providers to deliver effective and sustainable Careers support and advice
• Providing targeted support and help to our most vulnerable learners
• Improving alignment of demand and supply of skills, now and in the future
• Encouraging and enabling businesses to recruit from a richer and wider talent pool.

South Warks Mental Health Partnership 7th Annual Event

News

The South Warwickshire Mental Health Partnership invites you to their seventh annual event…
‘What’s working well for Mental Health in Warwickshire’
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The South Warwickshire Mental Health Partnership is still working to improve the dissemination of information around mental health support services, the awareness of mental health issues and to increase collaboration between different sectors working to support people with mental illness.
This event is for mental health providers and organisations that support people with mental health issues who are working in South Warwickshire.
2019’s event showcases what’s working well with mental health with an overview from Jed Francique, Associate Director of Operations (Mental Health Services) CWP NHS Trust (CWPT), followed by presentations on ‘Early intervention’ from Springfield Mind, ‘Peer support’ from Together Your Way, and ‘Creative partnership working’ an initiative between Consultant psychiatrists and Alcester Health and Well Being Board.
Event participants will also have an opportunity to choose one workshop to attend – please see below.
John Tizard Chair of NAVCA (National Association of Voluntary and Community Action) will be helping us to round off the day with reflections on partnership and the way forward.

Programme:
Wednesday 26 th June 2019 at Dormer Conference Centre, 3B Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5AA

9.30am | Registration
9.45am | Welcome – Jane Holdsworth, Warwickshire CAVA
10.00am | An overview of what’s working well – Jed Francique, Associate Director of Operations (Mental Health Services) CWPT
10.20am | Early intervention through GP surgeries – ‘Active Monitoring’- Maria Fennell CEO Springfield Mind
10.40am | Tea/Coffee
11.00am | Peer Support-Together for mental wellbeing
11.10am | Creative Partnerships- Dr Nadia Saleem and Dr Rupinder Kaler – Consultant Psychiatrists talk about their innovative work in Alcester
11.30am | Workshops:
There are number limits on some of the workshops due to the venue space. If your chosen option is full, you will be asked to register for another which has space available.

1. Creative Health – Karen Williams Escape Arts
Take an opportunity to make a MINI ME – Using recycled materials and simple techniques, this creative workshop is designed to be accessible and fun for participants of all ages and abilities. Very often used as an icebreaker, it prompts valuable conversations about oneself in a gentle and non -invasive way; therefore allowing groups to begin to get to know one another and promoting natural friendships.
2. The Dimensions Tool – Dawn Nicholls CWPT
The Dimensions Tool can be used to rate a person’s level of health and wellbeing and to find local support to their particular needs. Attend this workshop to find out more about the tool and how it can be used.
3. Ecotherapy – Kath Pasteur ARC CIC
Join this interactive and informative workshop to learn about Ecotherapy and how we are promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing in woodland sessions.
4. Laughter Yoga – Alison Orr WCAVA
Laughter yoga brings together a combination of breathing techniques and laughter exercises and is being increasingly used in business to increase productivity. Attend this workshop to find out about its benefits.
5. Walking for heath in Leamington – Jo Dagg WDC
Join Jo Dagg WDC Community Development worker for a for a health walk.
See the link for more information about health walks; https://youtu.be/mL71ONnB93c
6. Warwickshire Pride – Dan Browne
What’s working well for the LGBT+ community and how your service can contribute to the wellbeing of LGBT+ people.
7. Warwickshire Safe Havens – Mental Health Matters
Safe Havens are a place to support people in mental health distress before they reach a crisis point by offering them support in the community outside of business hours. Find out what Safe Havens will be like and give feedback on service developments.

12.30pm | Plenary – John Tizard Chair of NAVCA
1.00pm | Networking Lunch

We look forward to seeing you there.
For further information please contact Gill Jones on 01926 477512 or email: gjones@wcava.org.uk

N.B. Due to the popularity of this event we would ask you to restrict numbers to two per organisation unless you are involved in running workshops, stands or presenting. If in doubt please get in contact with Gill Jones on gjones@wcava.org.uk or call 01926 477512.

Access and Parking:
Please use the St. Peter’s multi-storey car park in Augusta Place or street parking (Pay & Display) in Dormer Place, Portland Place East and York Road.

To book your place please use the following link:
https://swmhp-june-2019.eventbrite.co.uk