The Careers Show-Friday 27th July 2010
Eddy Gemmell
What’s On This Week?
Landscaping the CCI Way
Working in the care sector can take on various guises and when I met Niall McShannon, Project Manager and Social Worker of CCI, I thought his role was to provide care facilities for the trainees. How wrong I was as the work they carry out is mainly related to landscaping and woodwork skills. CCI's first project was the Wallace Memorial Garden, off Wellgate, in Lanark. After 7 years, it still looks robust and has bedded into its surroundings well.
Since then they have worked on a myriad of projects, ranging from small tasks to incredibly ambitious projects. All of these have been completed to a commercial standard, using robust designs and materials. They have all had community input in design and maintenance. From the first project onwards, CCI's clients have thrived by doing 'real work'. While few of our participants start with many physical skills, a number have become adept at metalwork, woodwork, slabbing or dyking. Doing very visible and useful work also demystifies clients' conditions to the rest of community. From being seen as passive consumers of services, CCI's clients become providers and promoters of projects that offer tangible local benefits. Many of CCI's clients have suffered very personal forms of exclusion - engaging with local communities as equals builds clients' self-confidence and can transform people's perceptions of them. Check out their website and who knows, you may be hiring the guys for a future job or even buying some of their excellent woodcraft. www.cciweb.org.uk
Taking Netball to a National Level 
This week we have the second of our sports students feature And something a bit different. Stephanie McGarrity is an International netball player and hopes one day to coach. But, She also wants to develop her skills into the community encouraging people to be more active and take up a healthier lifestyle.
As part of the regular features on adults gaining support for employment and education, I dropped into a local Wise Group project called Look Ahead to meet some of the trainees involved in the project. Over the coming weeks, I will be featuring four interviews with the trainees talking about their life and careers so far and how they are overcoming personal difficulties on the path back to possible education and employment. This weeks interview is with Jeannette Burns former SCI worker and trained in child care. Hear Jeannete tell of her life and career so far and how the project helped her overcome some difficulties and hopefully back into care work. Another truly inspirational interview. By the way, Last weeks interview was well received.
Inspiring Young People at Galloway Training That’s Sue’s Aim
