Scotland

A Picture Postcard from Ayrshire

Scottish Education System Secondary School (12 to 16 years of age compulsory, students can continue until 18 to complete qualifications required for entry to University) Secondary School (12 to 16 years of age compulsory, students can continue until 18 to complete qualifications required for entry to University) School to University School to University University (3 year ‘Ordinary’ Degree, 4 year ‘Honours’ Degree, approximately another 3 to 4 years for a PhD) University (3 year ‘Ordinary’ Degree, 4 year ‘Honours’ Degree, approximately another 3 to 4 years for a PhD)

Scottish Education System School to F.E. College School to F.E. College Higher Qualifications go to 1st Year University Higher Qualifications go to 1st Year University HNC Higher National Certificate go to 2nd Year University HNC Higher National Certificate go to 2nd Year University HND Higher National Diploma go to 3rd Year University HND Higher National Diploma go to 3rd Year University Continue University level study as before Continue University level study as before

Riverside Community Workshop Ltd. Objective: To support the local community in 8 ways 4Es 4Rs Provide: By: Education Reduce Employment Reuse Empowerment Recover EnterpriseRecycle

Organisational Mission Created November 2009 as a private company Created November 2009 as a private company To explore social economy ideas To explore social economy ideas The current most sustainable idea is refurbishment and sales of donated furniture The current most sustainable idea is refurbishment and sales of donated furniture Benefiting low income families Benefiting low income families Provide starter packs for homeless people Provide starter packs for homeless people Reduces land-fill Reduces land-fill

Organisational Structure Converted to a Social Enterprise in June 2011 with a Board of Management to better serve client group targeted and access EU funding Converted to a Social Enterprise in June 2011 with a Board of Management to better serve client group targeted and access EU funding 2.5 FTE Staff all previously unemployed or retired 2.5 FTE Staff all previously unemployed or retired Work-experience to Work-experience to 46 people so far….. 46 people so far…..

Employability Support Support work-experience placements for volunteers, unemployed people seeking work, vocational students & people with mental health issues Support work-experience placements for volunteers, unemployed people seeking work, vocational students & people with mental health issues Offer non-accredited training in retail, customer service and furniture refurbishment Offer non-accredited training in retail, customer service and furniture refurbishment Actively assist with job-seeking eg. CV writing, interview skills, application writing etc. Actively assist with job-seeking eg. CV writing, interview skills, application writing etc. If no employment opportunities available assist the trainee in creating a job by filling an identified ‘social’ need in the local community. If no employment opportunities available assist the trainee in creating a job by filling an identified ‘social’ need in the local community.

Working with furniture Current Workshop

Current Issues 1 st and 2 ND trading years turnover £145,00 due to a government contract 1 st and 2 ND trading years turnover £145,00 due to a government contract In 3 rd year after the government withdraws contract the turnover is £31,000 – just sustainable In 3 rd year after the government withdraws contract the turnover is £31,000 – just sustainable Premises in poor condition Premises in poor condition Lack of training room Lack of training room Learning as we go Learning as we go

Future Plans Financial Sustainability Financial Sustainability Accreditation for Employability Courses Accreditation for Employability Courses Opportunities to apply for Government Contracts Opportunities to apply for Government Contracts Increased Web-sales Increased Web-sales Opportunities of certificated courses Opportunities of certificated courses Work with more local charities Work with more local charities Exploration of EU opportunities : Leonardo da Vinci and LEADER Exploration of EU opportunities : Leonardo da Vinci and LEADER To achieve:

Contact Details Patricia WallaceDirector +44 (0) Alan Dunn LdV TransVET Project Manager +44 (0) Riverside Community Workshop Ltd 9/10 River Street Ayr South Ayrshire Scotland KA8 0EY