TEAM BRIEF – 11th JUNE 2007
1. Trust Board Report – Update The Trust Board held a public meeting on 6th June 2007. 1.1 Chairman‟s Report
Visit to the Trust - The Chairman reported that a group of delegates from a mental health organisation in Germany had visited recently. This had been a very successful event and our visitors had been very impressed, particularly with the humanity and care delivered to the most challenging of our service users. So much so that there is a real possibility that some of our staff may now visit their Trust to deliver personal safety training to their staff, who currently rely much more heavily on mechanical methods of restraint. A delegation of high ranking Japanese health officials had visited Ashworth Hospital and Scott Clinic in April to look at secure services and how they were provided in the North West. The Japanese are reviewing their secure facilities and the visit was arranged in conjunction with Pennine Care NHS Trust to help them learn how other countries are dealing with this issue. Rathbone Rehabilitation Centre - The Chairman had attended the open day at the new Rathbone Rehabilitation Unit. This had been a most enjoyable event. The facilities, like the Low Secure Unit were a tribute to modernisation and their positive effect on staff and service users alike is palpable. Further information is available within this Brief. 1.2 Annual Accounts
Debbie Weir attended and presented a summary of the final accounts to the Board. These were now awaiting a final check from Auditors before being formally approved by the Audit Committee of the Board. This was expected to happen on 19th June.
1
Once adopted, the Annual Accounts will be circulated and published on the Trust‟s website. They will also, of course, be summarised in the Annual Report which will be published in July. For further information please contact Debbie Weir on 0151 471 2379. 1.3 Statement on Internal Control
The Board approved the Statement on Internal Control. This outlines the Trust‟s approach to risk management and internal control and will now be included in the final accounts. The Statement includes an action plan to ensure continuous improvement of risk management systems. For further information please contact Dr Dave Fearnley on 0151 471 2423. 1.4 Future Trust Programme – Progress Report
Gill Dolan presented the monthly progress report to the Board which comprised details of progress made this month, and a summary of priorities for June, July and August. There is no change in the overall risk of delivering specific parts of the Future Trust programme. There has been good progress in all areas, including the development of a draft workforce strategy and progress towards a marketing strategy. Priorities for the next three months include a full draft Integrated Business Plan by the end of the month, and the appointment of a project lead (Sam Brown) to lead the Clinical Business Unit work programme. The Trust has not yet had a decision from the Department of Health regarding proposals for the future of the Trust and in the meantime efforts to become at least as good as any foundation trust continue. For further information please contact Gill Dolan on 0151 472 4097. 1.5 Committee Review
Dr Dave Fearnley is leading a piece of work to enhance the reporting mechanisms and board assurance through the committee structure. This is a detailed and complicated piece of work but there is progress now. It remains a „ work in progress‟ but the desired outcome is a clear reporting framework
2
and a reduced number of committees, networks, informal groups and meetings. Eventually, all time limited groups should report to executive committees (those led by an executive director); executive committees should report into the Governance Committee; and the Governance Committee reports into the Board. For further information please contact Dr Dave Fearnley on 0151 471 2423. 1.6 Organisational Change Policy
The Board approved this policy which sets out, in detail, the correct process for handling the staffing issues that may result from major organisational change. The overall objective of this policy is to avoid, as far as is possible, compulsory redundancy. The policy should reassure staff that every effort will be made to minimise anxiety during difficult times and provide support to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties. The policy has been tested and will continue to be developed as it is used. Staff Side has been, and will continue to be, greatly involved in its development and every effort will be made to ensure it is fit and right for its purpose. For further information please contact Kim Crowe on 0151 473 2767. 1.7 Trust Performance as at 30th April 2007
Neil Smith presented the monthly performance report. There are examples of both good and poor performance, but there is clearly room for improvement. Great effort is going into data collection and information management and this will undoubtedly enable more accurate measurement of performance in some areas. Delayed discharges, Care Programme Approach data capture and staff sickness absence, remain amongst those areas of concern. Ethnicity data collection, early intervention and Did Not Attend rates in Drugs and Alcohol Services were amongst the areas of good performance.
3
The Finance and Performance Management Committee closely monitor action plans for improvement. For further information please contact Neil Smith on 0151 471 2205. All staff are reminded that Board papers are available, in full, from the website, and should any member of staff wish to attend a Board meeting, they are welcome to do so. Please contact Christine Hughes on 0151 285 2708 for further information.
2. Agenda for Change - Increase in the Hours of the Working Week from 1st December 2007 One of the principles of Agenda for Change was that the full-time working week should be standardised at 37.5 hours. Transitional arrangements were put in place to phase this in. However on 1st December 2007 the first increases will take place as follows: those currently on 36 hours increase to 37 hours those currently on 36.5 hours increase to 37 hours those currently on 37 hours increase to 37.5 hours. The main staff groups affected by this are Administrative and Clerical staff who will increase to 37.5 hours and Allied Health Professionals who will increase to 37 hours. The increase will also affect part time staff in these groups whose hours will need to increase proportionally. Your managers will be starting to prepare for this now. They will be thinking about the best times for the additional hours to be worked. Consultation about changes to working times will take place with staff over the next few months. For further information in relation to this please contact Kath Davies on 0151 473 2757. 3. New Maternity Guidelines New guidelines were emailed to all staff on 29th May 2007. The aim of the guidelines is to help staff to understand maternity leave and maternity pay.
4
These statutory agreements apply in respect of all pregnant employees, and will include benefits under Agenda for Change. It should provide all of the relevant information, but staff may find it helpful to discuss it with their Human Resources representative. For further information in relation to this please contact Jodie Milsom on 0151 473 2760. Information about a „Babies and Bumps‟ event this Friday is attached to this Brief.
4. Dare to Share As part of the Trust‟s commitment to sharing learning from incidents across the organisation, on 5th July we launch a new approach… Dare to Share. This first event in the Dare to Share programme will focus on Suicide Prevention and all Mersey Care staff are invited to attend. The aim of the day is to create a safe environment for Mersey Care staff in which learning can take place following adverse incidents. On the day, there will be opportunity to: Understand the national and local context around suicide and suicide prevention Participate in debating the nature, causes and preventability of suicide Engage in exploring incidents that have happened locally, with the aim of identifying and sharing learning which can be used to prevent future adverse incidents Consider and challenge your own beliefs and practice with regards to suicide prevention Gain an awareness of key resources that can support you in making your contribution to suicide prevention. To book a place on this event please email Keiko Provost keiko.provost@merseycare.nhs.uk . The event will take place on 5th July from 9.00am until 4.30pm at the Devonshire House Hotel, Liverpool. You must reserve a place to attend.
5
5. Drop in Event - Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Section 136 (Place of Safety) Development You are invited to drop in events to discuss new developments within the Trust on Monday, 18th June 2007, Seminar Room, Broadoak Unit, 12 midday „til 2.00pm or Wednesday, 20th June 2007, Meeting Room, Maple Unit, Stoddart House 1.00 pm „til 3.00pm. Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Due to be built at the Rathbone site and open autumn 2008. It will be an eight bedded male ward for those compulsorily detained who are in an acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental illness. Section 136 (Place of Safety) Development Attached to the PICU it will provide assessment facilities for people of all ages who Merseyside Police identify in a public place as needing a mental health assessment. (Under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act) Please contact Joanne Sephton on 0151 472 4090 for more details joanne.sephton@merseycare.nhs.uk 6. What’s Happening? The Trust is regularly looking to use examples of excellence within our services to promote the good work that is happening within mental health services in the North West. The Communications Team would be grateful if you could include us in your arrangement of events - as early as possible if you require photography. Positive news may be included in Mersey Cares…, added to the Trust website, shared with the Strategic Health Authority and may be promoted in the press. Deadline for the next edition of Mersey Cares… is 2nd July. Please contact Communications on 0151 471 2336 or at communications@merseycare.nhs.uk 7. Smoking Reminder for 1st July 2007 Only two weeks to go to 1st July 2007 when a ban on smoking in all public enclosed spaces in England becomes law. Mersey Care has been operating a smoke free policy for staff, visitors and contractors since December 2006. The ban covers all buildings, grounds, car
6
parks and land adjacent to all Trust buildings and sites. From 1st April 2007 all service users with the exception of some inpatient units have not been allowed to smoke in line with the smoke free regulations for England. For help with smoking cessation please telephone the NHS Quitline on 0800 169 0 169 or the Fag Ends helpline on 0800 195 2131.
8. Annual General Meeting (AGM) The Trust‟s AGM will take place on 4th July 2007 at the Foresight Centre, Brownlow Street in Liverpool (opposite Liverpool Dental Hospital, free parking via Ashton Street). Staff, service users, carers and stakeholders are invited to attend with refreshments served from 5.30pm and the meeting commencing at 6.00pm. Please distribute the attached poster throughout your service?
9. Older People’s Mental Health Service The Older People‟s Mental Health Service is pleased to announce the reopening of Boothroyd Ward on the Southport General Infirmary Site following a period of refurbishment. The telephone number is 01704 383657 and the fax number is 01704 549326. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Jane Dunn, Service Manager on 0151 529 5269. 10. Alzheimer’s Awareness Week – 1st to 7th July 2007 Alzheimer‟s Awareness Week, organised by the Alzheimer‟s Society for dementia care and research, has a theme of „Be Headstrong‟ – its focus is on encouraging people to reduce the risk of dementia by following a healthy lifestyle. The top tips to publicise during Alzheimer‟s Awareness Week are: don‟t smoke eat less saturated fat exercise regularly lead an active social life
7
check blood pressure and cholesterol A new website www.challengedementia.org.uk contains the campaign‟s key messages and a „Be Headstrong‟ booklet, which is full of advice and lifestyle tips, is available from local branches of the Alzheimer‟s Society or by calling 01753 578004. 11. Carers Week - 11th to 17th June 2007 Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise the important role that carers play across the whole health economy. This year‟s national theme is, „My life as a carer‟ and includes wide-ranging topics including tips on finances, career advice, discussion around relationships and health information. Mersey Care will participate in a main Carers Week Event at St George‟s Hall in Liverpool on 14th June (see separate flyer); as well as taking part in public events at Christ Church Hall, Lord Street, Southport on 11th June and Crosby Civic Hall on 12th June both 10.00am to 3.00pm. Some Mersey Care services have organised in-house events, including a music group and singer at Ward 8, Mossley Hill Hospital on 12th June and again at Waterloo Day Hospital on 15th June for the Older People‟s Service; a pamper session, lunch and question and answer forum for carers of high secure patients will be held at Ashworth Hospital and indigo on 16th June. For further details about national Carers Week log onto: www.carersweek.org
12. Southport Carnival Service users, carers and staff are taking part in a Mersey Care sponsored float for Southport Carnival on the theme of Wizard of Oz. They will be collecting charitable donations for the Southport Kidney Fund along the procession route. If you would like to turn out to support them the float is due to leave the Hesketh Centre around 11.45am to join the main carnival procession at Knowsley Road (off Albert Road), and then proceed along Lord Street to Victoria Park, Southport, from noon on Saturday 30th June.
8
13. Car Parking at Princes Dock The Princes Dock Development Company has advised that the arrangement we currently have for car parking on the surface car park (Car Park 4) will be terminated with effect from 17th June 2007. The car park will still exist, and staff and visitors will be able to continue to use it, but parking will be on a „Pay and Display‟ basis. The charges will be as follows: Up to 1 hour £2.00, Up to 2 hours £4.00, Up to 3 hours £6.00, Up to 4 hours £8.00, Up to 12 hours £9.00 and Up to 24 hours £10.00. 14. Email Users – Gentle (but important) Reminder There are email users within the Trust who are experiencing problems when opening email due to coloured backgrounds and graphics that are being used on emails - in some cases emails crash before they're opened so the recipient doesn't see the content. This is also the case for blackberry users. The IT Department is unable to resolve this matter, so please inform your staff that email should be sent without backgrounds or graphics.
9
If you require an item to be included in the next Team Brief, please e-mail it to Communications@merseycare.nhs.uk or telephone the Department on 0151 471 2336, by no later than Wednesday, 4th July 2007.
This Brief is available in electronic format (e-mail or disc) and large text upon request.
If you have any feedback on how Team Brief could be improved or would like to comment about any events or services you have attended/received through Team Brief, please contact Julie Crompton at: Julie.crompton@merseycare.nhs.uk or communications@merseycare.nhs.uk
10
TEAM BRIEF PLUS … 15. Appointments to the Inter-faith and Spiritual Care Team Following the retirement of a long serving Muslim Imam we are pleased to welcome Muhammed Ali as the newly appointed Imam. Muhammed will be based at Ashworth Hospital but will be available across the Trust for advice, and if necessary visits as a representative of the Islamic faith. Noel Abbott has commenced in a part time post at Rathbone Low Secure Unit and is a Deacon of the Roman Catholic Church. These appointments have been managed within the existing budget. Further developments of Sacred Spaces have taken place and continue to be developed at a number of sites. For further information please contact Inter-faith and Spiritual Care on 0151 471 2608.
16. Modernisation within High Secure Services Due to the ongoing modernisation of Ashworth Hospital and streamlining of the governance arrangements, the following changes in management arrangements will take effect from 4th June 2007: Service Manager, Iain Wilkie will take responsibility for all inpatient areas within High Secure Services and Service Manager, Jay O‟Looney will take responsibility for all allied services to include Primary Health Care, Resettlement Team, Rehabilitation Services and Social Therapy. For further information in relation to this please contact Jay O‟Looney, Service Manager on 0151 472 4528.
17. Appointment of Clinical Director Congratulations to Dr Tim Mathews who has been appointed to the post of Clinical Director for the Learning Disability service. Tim fills the vacancy arising from the previous post holder Barbara Speake taking up a new
11
appointment in High Secure Services. Dr Mathews is based at the Hesketh Centre, Southport and is available on 01704 383116.
18. STAR Wards Initiative This is a service user led initiative which works with partner organisations to help animate acute wards. Mersey Cares Adult Mental Health inpatients are a pilot site for STAR wards. The STAR Wards Initiatives vision is for acute inpatient wards to have: Talking therapies playing as substantial a role as medication Patients supported in enhancing their own management of their symptoms and treatment A strong culture of patient mutual support A full programme of daily activities Patients building and retaining community ties For further information in relation to this please contact Julie Owen, Sefton and Kirkby inpatients on 01704 383044 or Eifion Ingman, Liverpool inpatients on 0151 250 5025. 19. Annual (Records) Housekeeping Week Mersey Care relies on information and records to conduct its affairs in a systematic and legally compliant way. The international standard (BS ISO 15489-1) when applied intelligently, will lead us to keep fewer records - but those records will be of a higher quality, and thus be more useful as evidence and as sources of information upon which to base decisions. The first part of our strategy is to reduce the amount of paper and files. Monday, 11th June - starts our annual housekeeping week Did you know? The average organization: Makes 19 copies of each document it receives or produces; Loses 1 out of every 20 documents; Spends 25 hours recreating each lost document; and Spends 400 hours per year searching for lost files.
12
See how you can help: read the .mct email delivered on 11th June and visit the web page set up to help you in this task
www.merseycare.nhs.uk/services/corporate/sgst/info_gov/what_for_me/Records_Help.asp
For further information in relation to this please contact steve.brewster@merseycare.nhs.uk 20. ‘The New Rathbone Rehabilitation Centre’ The Rathbone Rehabilitation Unit (formerly Avalon Ward) re-located back to the Rathbone site on 31st May, after a 2 year temporary stay at Mossley Hill Hospital. Despite the hospitality and welcome by Mossley Hill staff, it can be said by both service users and staff that the new purpose built unit has been worth the wait. Its modern appearance and spacious facilities, including ensuite bedrooms, multi-faith room, family room, art and activity rooms provide an environment which is conducive to the rehabilitation and recovery process for service users, and a work place in which staff can be proud. From the many years of planning through to the lead up to the move, service users, carers and multi-disciplinary staff and external influences have contributed to the whole process, from initial design through to the colour schemes and furniture. The recent successful open days held on 23rd and 26th May provided much positive feedback with thanks to all those who attended. The past few weeks have been hectic and stressful for all concerned, however, ward staff have, as a team, worked hard in ensuring that things went smoothly, with as little disruption to the service users as possible during the transfer to their new environment. Local businesses have been pleased to see some of the „old faces‟ of both staff and service users back in the community. With the recent development of the „rehabilitation model of care‟, it is hoped that this will complement the new unit in supporting service users now and in the future in making Mersey Care leaders in the business of rehabilitation and recovery. For further information please contact Julie Hopley on 07989222428.
13
21. Interim Report - Roll Out of e PEX and ECC An interim report has been produced detailing progress made to date with the training programme to support the roll out of e PEX and ECC. The report indicates the number of people that had completed their training at that time (723 out of a total of 1,434) and identifies the key issues which still need to be addressed to ensure that the training programme can be completed by the revised deadline of the end of September 2007. The roll out of e PEX and ECC will increase the volume of information captured electronically helping to improve the timeliness of information capture and reporting, helping to support improvements in services and patient care and the management of risk. The Trust will be able to use the information to measure and monitor performance, to inform decision making and the planning of future services. The role out of ECC is a significant step towards a full electronic mental health record for health and social care, to assist in the delivery of care and the management of risk. Staff are requested to attend training sessions as planned. The services are requested to address the issues raised in the report. For further information please contact Ann Deane, Head of Information and Systems Development on Ann.Deane@Merseycare.nhs.uk or Teresa McGuirk, NCRS Training Lead on Teresa.McGuirk@Merseycare.nhs.uk
14
15
16
17
Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008 Creative Health and Well Being Programme News
This is the first update about the creative health and well being programme for Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008. We will now be communicating with you every couple of months and I hope to hear back from you about how creativity, the arts and culture is being used in your area and service to promote and enhance health and well being of service users, staff and the local community. Claire McColgan, Executive Producer, Liverpool Culture Company “The heath and well being programme underpins Liverpool, European Capital of Culture. The collection of eclectic projects showcases the best practice of arts and creativity in health from incredible collaborations with FACT and the Comedy Trust whilst initiatives such as Midsummer Dreams bring the whole health community together.” Alan Yates, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Trust and member of A Liverpool Culture Company sub group “Culture and health are known to be closely interlinked. I have been keen from the outset that the Culture Company understands that what it does has an important impact on wellbeing as well as the economy of Liverpool and Liverpuddlians. This newsletter I hope will show you how it is doing that and how you might contribute to this extraordinary opportunity we have to make a contribution to improved lives – read it and find out!”
18
Extraordinary Journey
In this year of heritage, the Extraordinary Journey programme is an opportunity to acknowledge significant health achievements and to raise expectations and aspirations about living and working in a healthy Liverpool. Kitty Wilkinson, pioneer of public washhouses; Hugh Owen Thomas, a founder of the specialty of orthopaedics; and Thomas Fresh the first Environmental Health Officer, are amongst the many responsible for Merseyside‟s impressive record of new ideas in health care, as well as innovative projects promoting well-being in the community… …Britain‟s first Public Art Gallery, Public Library, Arts Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern and Young Carers Association, the first ever School for the Blind, one of the first Home Help services, forerunner of Legal Aid and Relate… and so on… Liverpool and Merseyside‟s rich history of innovation in health and well-being is being celebrated in this exciting festival to be launched at St George‟s Hall this September, supported by a host of partners. Some dates for your diary Launch of Extraordinary Journey, in the Small Concert Hall at St George‟s Hall on 14th September 2007 at 6.00pm till 7.30pm during the Big History Show – 800 years of Liverpool. Celebratory Art of Living Event to recognize the past and current innovations and pioneers in health and well being in Merseyside and to look forward to a healthy Liverpool – 30th November 2007, venue to be confirmed. Tell us your story As well as stories from the past we want to continue the Extraordinary Journey into the present. We want to hear from individuals, groups and organisations with stories of current innovations, pioneers and extraordinary journeys. In no more than 150 words tell us your story by emailing sharon.sephton@liverpool.gov.uk And into the future Generation21
19
This is an opportunity to inspire and motivate young people to become engaged through participation in creative activities, linking to aspects of the science and IT curriculum, in exploring what a future healthy and regenerated Liverpool might look like. Generation21 will look to the future and will focus on health and well-being and the built environment. With a particular emphasis on the positive benefits and the impact the built environment can have on our health and well being. The health sector including NHS, Liverpool City Council, voluntary sector and complimentary health are significant partners in this initiative which will take place in schools in 2008. Midsummer Dreams Midsummer Dreams is a community event which celebrates work in creativity and health. It provides a platform for performers and practitioners to showcase their work, therapies and products to NHS professionals, care workers, and others in the health care sector as well as the general public. It is also a chance for health and social care workers to network and share examples of best practice in a creative environment. Last year was the first time this event was held and took place in St Brides Church. The event is very interactive and there are opportunities to sing, dance, play the drums, and share poetry……… Date for your diary: This year‟s event will take place at Liverpool Parish Church, Our Lady and St Nicholas (opposite the Liver Building), Old Church Yard, Chapel Street, Liverpool L2 8TZ, on 21st June 2007 starting at 1.00pm till 7.00pm. All Welcome. Waiting Programme Waiting is a jointly funded programme between the Liverpool Culture Company and the Liverpool Primary Care Trust. The programme is bringing artists and creativity into primary health care settings to promote and enhance health and well being of service users and providers and to positively impact on the waiting room environment. The Liverpool Comedy Trust, FACT and Chaturangan have been successfully appointed to help to deliver the Waiting Programme. In addition a 12 month evaluation of the programme has been commissioned. Plus a documentary
20
artist is working to capture creative sessions and activity as sketches for a future publication. The Comedy Trust has delivered a number of sessions with different groups and has now formed a core group to work with in Everton Road Health Centre for 6 weeks including young teenage mums, members of “Breatheasy” and a group of older people. The group has met twice and is making links between health and well being and laughter and humour. The group has also been invited to join a walk for health in south Liverpool and explore laughter as a natural thing in the natural environment of a park. The PCT is supporting this by covering the costs of transport and lunch. FACT are developing a sound installation with Chris Watson an experienced and well respected sound recordist with a passionate interest in recording sounds of animals, habitats and atmospheres from around the world. This month he is working with FACT and a community group collecting bird song from within Sefton Park. There is a possible collaboration with Radio 4 on this project. There will be sound installations at Everton Road Health Centre, Alder Hey Hospital and three other primary health care settings. Chaturangan are in the research and development stage of engaging with a number of artists and health settings to explore with people experiences of waiting in their every day lives which will be made into a film for showing in health settings and waiting areas. Mental Well Being Impact Assessment This has been developed as a collaboration of many partners, including the Liverpool Culture Company, who have an interest in contributing to promoting and protecting mental well being. The tool kit is now published as a “living and working” document and can be down loaded at www.northwest.csip.org.uk. A 12 month pilot of the toolkit was undertaken of Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 and the report from this piece of work is due out in the next few weeks. This pilot will inform the development of the tool kit and provide recommendations for the Liverpool Culture Company to consider to maximise the impact of culture on individual and community well being.
21
Wellbeing Treasure Chests Liverpool Culture Company and Mersey Care NHS Trust are creatively exploring well being and what enhances the wellbeing of the individual, team and organisation. Wellbeing Treasure Chest cards are being distributed to prompt conversations about well being and how to make small changes to enhance wellbeing. There is much fun considering what to put in individual, a team‟s or the organisations‟ wellbeing treasure chest. It is hoped that this is a pilot that can be extended across the health and social care community and to build a picture of what helps the health and wellbeing of people living, working and being cared for across Liverpool. Will be in touch again soon with news from NHS Trusts, city council and borough services, community groups and services and cultural and Arts organisations. Best wishes Julie Hanna, Creative Health and Well Being Manager Liverpool Culture Company
22
Established in 1998, Green Apprentices is a not-forprofit Social Business with a Charitable Trust, accountable to a Board of Management. The company‟s mission statement is: “Green Apprentices will be a leading social business in the North West, making a positive difference in peoples’ lives” Since 1999, Green Apprentices has run New Deal Environment Task Force programmes in Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton and Knowsley primarily focused on amenity landscape, landscape construction and commercial horticulture, providing training and Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) jobs for over 1,500 young people from across the whole of Merseyside. Their experienced training team has given each learner the opportunity to gain employability skills with best practice sessions developed over time now used across all of their programmes. The aim of Green Apprentices programmes is to provide people with a confidential, empowering and supportive mentoring relationship, to help them to identify solutions to problems that are preventing them from moving on and to achieve their personal goals. Whilst Green Apprentices have supported over 500 people to enter jobs across their programmes, they have also supported over 1,500 individuals to identify and overcome personal barriers, including lack of confidence, low self-esteem, motivational issues, social, domestic and behavioural problems, literacy and numeracy needs and lack of prior experience in employment. All of Green Apprentices programmes have two main aims: 1. To provide training, work experience and support to allow apprentices to secure full time, sustainable employment in their chosen field. 2. To implement a range of physical improvements (landscaping, environmental or painting & decorating) to the benefit of as wide a community as possible. Through the second objective, the first is achieved so the two work hand in hand.
Green Apprentices‟ aim is always to maximise the benefit of its programmes to the wider community, particularly those classed as „vulnerable‟. Their teams have extensive and successful experience working with schools, churches, sheltered housing schemes, community centres and social landlords, and as such are aware of the specific needs and requirements of individual clients. Green Apprentices have developed strong employer links through their programmes across a range of sectors which has given them a strong insight into and understanding of the needs of employers. They have a database of over 100 employers to date who are involved or aware of their construction initiatives across Merseyside. Green Apprentices currently operate teams in Knowsley, South Sefton, on the Wirral, in Burnley and within the Eastern Link and Alt Valley Pathway areas. Green Apprentices have previously delivered a successful painting and decorating programme through Team North Huyton and are currently working with Calico Housing in Burnley, to refurbish properties prior to re-letting. Mersey Care NHS Trust are currently working in partnership with Green Apprentices to provide a painting and decorating service across the Trust‟s premises over a 12 month period, initially. Works to date have received tremendous feedback from both Green Apprentices and Mersey Care staff, providing much confidence to the first four apprentices recruited. The works include: Preparatory work to surfaces i.e., stripping of previously applied paint materials, removal of wall coverings, applying fillers. Applying paint and wall coverings i.e., primers, undercoats, finishes, varnishes, emulsions, wall papering. If you require any painting or decorating within your premises please contact Paul Woodward, Estates Officer on 0151 471 2473 or Louise Jenn, Project Support Officer on 0151 472 4037 for a Work Request Form.
23