Welcome to the Open Doors Project Celebratory Event This project ran from September to March 2011/12 A partnership between Wirral Metropolitan College, Merseyside Probation Service and Wirral Council for Voluntary Services. This project was one of the successful bids that were approved through the Adult Community Learning Fund, with funding from Skills Funding Agency, managed by the National Institute of Continuing Education (NIACE).

The aim of this project has been to: provide bespoke advice and guidance in the job clubs widen opportunities raise aspirations give you a choice to sample different pathways discover new skills develop and brush up on other skills receive mentoring support during your learning journey train to become peer mentors to encourage others in to learning plan your progression into vocational training and employment

We started in September with a Floristry and Horticulture short course

Floristry course

Laura progressed in January to the BTEC Diploma in Floristry and Contemporary Design in College. She started from the short Open Doors Project Floristry and Horticulture Course, she completed at TWW. She hopes to open her own shop one day. This is her work on display today.

Steve first joined the project through the Probation Job Club, where he met the College adviser Mike, and George, the College mentor. He came to a First Aid Course and then progressed in January to a Basic Brickwork course. The Open Doors Project funded this course for him. He has built a wishing well in his parents front garden and has started employment this Monday in a recycling firm, which has a construction arm to its business.

Open Doors Lets Cook – bread making session

Open Doors Lets Cook

Lets Cook – Andrew, Duncan, Graham and Wayne have now progressed on to the NVQ Level 1 Food Preparation Course. Open Doors has funded the chefs whites for 2 of the learners. All 4 hope to progress to Level 2 in September and gain employment in the catering trade.

First group of Open Awards Mentoring students completed in December and are now volunteering as peer mentors.

We have run a number of Emergency First Aid at Work Courses

College Beauty students ran a Pamper Day at Tomorrows Women Wirral, in order to promote the Open Doors First Steps Beauty course

Pamper Day Pamper Day

After the Pamper Day, Kate joined the First Steps to Beauty course. In January she enrolled on the VTCT Nail Course. Open Doors has helped to fund her progression. She is on the way to being a qualified Beautician.

Our target was to engage 50 men and women on this project in a range of courses - 65 have participated in the project since September. Learners have progressed on to C& G Brick work and Painting and Decorating Courses Level 1, NVQ Level1Food Preparation, VTCT Beauty Course (Nail Extensions), NCFE Personal and Community Development Course, BTEC Diploma in Floristry and 10 are due to achieve their Open Awards Mentoring training to become Peer Mentors and Volunteers. Others are working on improving their Literacy and Numeracy.

Then and Now by Helen McKeown. Helen wrote this poem on the Finding a Voice course and read it on Radio 4. It was on Pick of the Week. Dark clouds gathering Sky full of despair Storm brewing How did I get there? Lost in a cyclone Twisting and turning Mind in turmoil Fear, yearning. Out of the darkness Into the sunshine No more hurting New beginnings are mine.

Recycled Crafts

Money Management

First Steps with Computers

Motor Vehicle Workshop

Sound and Radio Production Workshop at 7 Waves Radio Wirral

One day nationally accredited courses to help your CV CIEH Food Safety for the Catering Industry IOSH Working Safely Course

James has been attending a C&G Painting and Decorating Course funded by the Open Doors Project and plans to continue with Part 2 in April

Celebration event in December at Tomorrows Women Wirral

A big thank you to everyone for making this project a success. It is just the beginning for all of us.