New Meaning

News

June 2010

Mears Mentor and Apprentice Programme - The "Mears MAP"

The Mears Group is designing a ground-breaking Mentor and Apprentice development programme giving equal importance in the workplace to Aptitude and Attitude:

  • Aptitude - skills for the chosen Trade Plumbing, Carpentry, Internal (eg: plastering) or External (eg: brick laying) building work
  • Attitude - skills of behaviour management, emotional maturity and personal style that deliver a consistent and exceptional level of customer satisfaction

Attitudinal skills will be derived from the New Meaning Pro-Active Life Skills (PALS) learning framework which is being re-designed to provide BTEC work skills awards, certificates and diplomas.
The diagram shows the balance of Aptitude and Attitude qualities that Mears are seeking.

March 2010

The New Meaning Community PALS approach (see below) is having a very positive impact for the individuals and communities involved.

A number of practical projects are being implemented by community members themselves:

  • "bridging the gap" = older people and younger people sharing skills, eg craft, DIY, social networking
  • "homeless help" = formerly homeless and ex-offenders sourcing a disused property to renovate with and for currently homeless / street-sleepers to help them re-enter the mainstream
  • "resource centre" = locating a community centre to the centre of town
  • "community radio" = starting an independent, internet radio station for local people, with programming by local people and community learning events promoted and run through the station

Derby Homes has achieved its aim of attracting a new and diverse mix of residents on to its newly formed Scrutiny Panel (many have never contributed in this way before)

Individuals have benefited from strengthening their personal confidence by finding work, getting more involved in their community or resolving personal/family challenges.

We expect to release our case study later in April and following the completion of the project itself.

The following link will take you to a clip showing a few interviews about the programme:

  • http://vimeo.com/9399679

September 2009

New Meaning and Partners: Just Housing, Morton Partnership and Helen Cope Consulting received funding from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Learning Revolution Fund win funding from the Learning Revolution Fund to run a community PALS project with three Social Housing Agencies: Derby Homes and Derwent Living.

The project is be focused on Derby and Nottingham communities.

  • Community-PALS is a programme of psychology/media-derived techniques designed for individual and group learning environments.
  • PALS techniques enable participants and facilitators to build emotional intelligence, maturity, confidence and collective responsibility.
  • PALS learning groups have come together to identify, share and tackle community issues as part of an ongoing process of empowerment.

If you would like to know more please just get in touch.