The Only Way Is Up (TOWiU) TOWiU Briefing...qualifications and partners have included NHS Glasgow, WEA and The Glasgow Science Centre. REVIVE has trail-blazed with their self-sustaining

Castlemilk High School

The Only Way Is Up (TOWiU) Briefing Note

TOWiU is Ardenglen's practical response to mitigate the impacts of Welfare Reform. It is a personal capacity building programme designed to build a person's confidence, skills and resilience. Critically, whilst supporting personal development, TOWiU also delivers outcomes which fulfil the requirements of the Claimant's Commitment. TOWiU is the overarching name for a programme of courses designed to have something for everyone! Participants are often referred via the IT component and branch out to other activities which interest them. This is because the programme is person-centred from the start; referral leads to an ongoing conversation with Ardenglen's Regeneration Officer where learning is tailor-made around the participant's skills and interests.

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TOWiU Courses: IT & ALN CLASSES - Delivered on a drop-in basis four afternoons a week. Broad spectrum of support from beginner to advanced IT skills, Literacy and Job Search. We also support participants to access their ILA which has been used for a variety of enhanced learning including CSCS Cards, Dumper Truck qualifications, ECDL Training and even an access course to Fashion & Design (after which the participant was accepted for a College Course). RE-START - Working in partnership with One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS), this course focuses upon positive parenting skills within a supportive framework. It seeks to tackle social isolation and so enhance community cohesion. The Group is progressing towards become self-sustaining and has manufactured and sold a variety of arts and crafts (often with a seasonal theme). RE-START is also engaged with Ardenglen's Participatory Budgeting project working with OPFS and the local Primary Schools around "The Cost of the School Day." ESOL - Ongoing programme of language development and support aimed at community members for whom English isn't their first language. This is a great platform for encouraging engagement with other parts of TOWiU and naturally enhances community cohesion in the process. 1Direction (TOWiU) – This is a session for Men who are "over 40s." The focus is upon Life-Long Learning and Health and Wellbeing. Participants determine the activities they undertake which are often designed to push “out of the comfort zone!” An example of this was their undertaking a digital film course which saw them produce a 5 minute promotional film for TOWiU. The 1Direction programme is also partnering with the Castlemilk Carpentry Project. REVIVE - A session for Women who are "over 40s" and, like 1Direction, the focus is Life-Long Learning and Health and Wellbeing. REVIVE members have achieved a long list of accredited qualifications and partners have included NHS Glasgow, WEA and The Glasgow Science Centre. REVIVE has trail-blazed with their self-sustaining efforts which have included operating a photo-booth for hire at private functions and making children's accessories. REVIVE members are currently embracing the Heritage theme around the proposed Cathkin Braes Activity Centre by participating on the project's Management Group, undertaking a series of learning visits to heritage themed visitor attractions and are working towards the development of an environmental themed heritage trail for the Cathkin Braes Country Park. SEW FABULOUS – Is an Up-Cycling project delivered in partnership with Rags to Riches and is designed to up- skill participants through the manufacture of textile goods from re-claimed fabrics. It is another highly successful self-sustaining endeavour which fosters co-operative learning and teamwork.

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GROW YOUR OWN - Another highly collaborative project in partnership with Urban Roots where participants work together to develop and manage the community garden based at the Maureen Cope Community Hall. The Health and Wellbeing focus is extended to the healthy cooking of grown and foraged produce which have been sold at community events. GRUB's UP! – is a 6 week programme delivering health, hygiene and cookery skills leading to REHiS certification. SQA EMPLOYABILITY AWARD - 40 hours of evidence-based accredited learning (Scottish Government Sponsored).

Other Services in the Maureen Cope Community Hall (MCCH) The MCCH is managed by a group of local volunteers called the Ardenglen Social Committee. They are supported by Ardenglen's Regeneration staff. Ardenglen Social Committee members have undergone extensive training to assist them to operate the hall including First Aid, Health & Safety and REHiS. The Social Committee undertake fundraising throughout the year to support the delivery of our community events programme. FOOD BANK - Outreach emergency food provision operated three days a week which is delivered in partnership with the South East Food Bank, supported by the Trussell Trust. The Programme is run by our Social Committee volunteers. EPIC 360 - an outreach of the Glasgow wide programme which delivers Welfare Rights and Energy Advice. Based at MCCH two afternoons a week to link in with complimentary services like TOWiU and our Food Bank (Ardenglen also operates a Welfare Advice service in partnership with Money Matters from its office three days each week as well as a monthly Energy Advice surgery through Home Energy Scotland). BINGO – the delivery of an affordable stake weekly play session which, as well as providing entertainment, tackles social isolation and enhances community cohesion. The session is entirely volunteer run and managed - thereby building the capacity of our Social Committee. The 3Bs - stands for "Bite, Blether & Bingo" and is a monthly intergenerational programme delivered in partnership between Ardenglen's Social Committee, Castlemilk High School and some of our "Younger at Heart" residents. Ardenglen's Social Committee provides our pensioners with a welcoming light meal upon arrival, served by young people from the school's Inclusion Unit. A fun, themed interactive session follows (often seasonally based) where everyone pitches in and the day concludes with a couple of games of bingo. Basic literacy and numeracy issues are addressed in the design of all activities. Sessions have included an Ode to Rabbie Burns, intergenerational themed learning visits (The People's Palace and Scotland Street School) and the famous intergenerational Slang-chart!! Benefits include developing skills (including social), tackling social isolation and breaking down intergenerational barriers. BLAZE Dance - a twice weekly free dance programme run as part of TEEN Zone Youth Committee's Diversionary Youth Programme - which also includes mountain-biking (linked to the

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proposed Cathkin Braes Activity Centre) and music tutoring. Like other groups, TEEN Zone aims to fundraise for its own activities by, amongst other things, bag packing and delivering Ardenglen's quarterly newsletter to all tenants (at the going postal rate!). THE JEELY (Children's Play) - Outreach session in partnership with the Jeely Piece which focusses on safe play and outdoor play on Cathkin Braes (linked to the proposed Cathkin Braes Activity Centre). The session aims to develop physical and social skills. THE JEELY (Parents and Toddlers) - Another Outreach session delivered in partnership with the Jeely Piece. This is a pre-school programme which focusses on early learning and development whilst supporting positive parenting skills and social cohesion.

TOWiU

HIGHLIGHTS