Scottish Charity No. SC 033675
Limited Company No. 272750
News Archive
Welcome to the News Archive where all our older stories are kept.
November Newsletter
The November Newsletter is now available to download. Inside you can read all about DIYnamo's winter timetable, all about the Mum's Fun group who are eager to move into the new Community Centre, the MAASK children who loved their October Club, even more about the Community Centre build and exciting news about PPP in the SURF Awards 2011.
Download the Newsletter as a PDF here: November Newsletter
Or as a webpage here: Full Screen URL
DIYnamo is Preparing for Winter
Why not let DIYnamo, your friendly, local social enterprise team help you with general maintenance services this winter as the cold begins to bite.
DIYnamo is a small social enterprise company operating throughout Caithness where all money made is reinvested in the company, enabling it to expand and provide new, useful services for local people.
The dedicated team has worked tirelessly for the last year throughout the county and surrounding villages to assist people in maintaining their property.
The DIYnamo team, Andrew Edwards and Brian Banks backed by Vince Walker, will continue to offer a full list of services for the coming months which will ensure that your house, garden and grounds remain in tip top condition through the chilly weather.
Over the winter months DIYnamo will be on hand to cover a multitude of work, not restricted to but including:
DIYnamo is a local, reliable, competitively priced social enterprise company designed to give the customer maximum satisfaction.
Keep a close lookout for the DIYnamo van on the roads too – it will be easy to spot with its new decals and information.
Just call our reception team at Pulteneytown People’s Project offices on 01955 608530 to get more information, get a free estimate for the work you wish performed and to book the team, or just drop into Pulteney Centre, Huddart Street, Wick.
MAASK October Club
The children at MAASK had a wonderful time at their October Holiday Club where they dressed up in spooky Halloween costumes and played lots of party games. You can see all the photos of the day here: MAASK October Club
Emergency First Aid at Work Course
Learn how to save a life whilst gaining an invaluable Health and Safety Executive approved qualification at the Pulteneytown People’s Project Emergency First Aid at Work Course.
Held in Wick Youth Club on Thursday, October 6, the session will cost £115 (which can be covered with ILA funding if you have it in place) and will run from 9am until 4.30pm. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, including lunch.
The course will cover a variety of skills including: health and safety regulations, management of an incident, treatment of unconscious casualties, choking, seizures, bleeding, shock, resuscitation, priorities of first aid, and common workplace illnesses and injuries.
Taught by a fully qualified instructor, this friendly and comprehensive course will be perfect for improving your CV and gaining skills which many employers actively seek.
Companies interested in booking multiple places should contact PPP for information regarding pricing.
Spaces are limited to 12 people so book your place now by contacting PPP on 01955 606950.
RBS CommunityForce
Voting starts on Monday September 26 for RBS CommunityForce, a fantastic chance to vote for Pulteneytown People's Project and help us raise funds for outdoor play equipment for the children attending MAASK and those who will be coming to our new Community Centre: PPP CommunityForce
With enough votes PPP could win up to £6,000.
Please visit our RBS CommunityForce page on Monday September 26 and vote for us: PPP CommunityForce
Thank you!
PPP Youth Committee Trip
Back from their first outing, the newly formed PPP Youth Committee managed to visit two excellent community projects, walked up a gorge, scaled some waterfalls and discussed amazing ideas on youth projects.
On Friday, September 2 the Committee visited PPP’s Community Centre being built on Huddart Street where they had a guided tour and generated some ideas on what the finished Centre would have and require.
Setting off the next day the eight members of the Committee and two PPP staff travelled by mini-bus, arriving at the Elgin Youth Cafe where they took close notice of how they ran their successful youth discos. The Committee were also impressed by the facilities made available on wet days, giving young people somewhere to go during bad weather.
Moving on, there was a brief stop-off at a music festival in Nairn, but, the music not being to everyone’s taste meant they didn’t stay long! Next was the Nairn Community Centre where the friendly staff supplied tea, biscuits and information on how they run their building.
After such a long day the Committee was glad to reach their final destination – Badaguish Activity Centre. Staying in a lodge they enjoyed Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner and discussed all they had discovered throughout the day.
The following day everyone donned wetsuits and braved the cold to take part in gorge walking. Scaling heights, swimming in pools and climbing waterfalls, everyone had lots of fun but were glad to have a warm shower afterwards! It wasn’t until late on Sunday night that everyone arrived back in Wick.
The Youth Committee’s trip was a huge success and the members have been busy generating new ideas for PPP’s Community Centre. Some of these ideas include installing CCTV, late opening times on Fridays and Saturdays to give young teenagers something to do, purchasing cinema equipment, creating a PPP mascot and even having a mirror room! The Committee has even been looking at what rules should be in place to ensure everything runs smoothly such as starting membership programmes and ways to prevent bullying and fighting.
With the help of the Youth Committee PPP’s Community Centre looks set to be the ideal place for Wick’s young people.
MAASK Children Watch Caley Thistle Game
The score may have been a one-each draw, but Caley Thistle made it a memorable Saturday for the children of MAASK.
As part of a promotion to get more children interested in the game, Inverness Caledonian Thistle awarded PPP with 13 free tickets to their latest match against Hearts, and the children from MAASK were delighted at the chance to see some of the Scottish Premier League’s finest players. Many of the children had never been to a professional football game before and were looking forward not only to seeing a great match but also a trip to Inverness.
Leaving early on Saturday, September 10 the MAASK children and PPP staff members travelled by mini-bus first to Whin Park, near Inverness, to stretch their legs and have fun playing on the swing park, climbing frames and enjoy an ice cream.
Continuing on their journey, the excited group arrived at Caley Thistle’s ground, Caledonian Stadium, and settled down to watch the match. A goalkeeper error gave Super Caley an early lead in the second half, but the home side couldn’t hold on to win three points and a Hearts equaliser ensured no team went home empty handed.
The children all said they had a wonderful day and hope they can go again soon to watch another game.
September Newsletter
You can now download our September Newsletter from this link: September 2011 Newsletter
Two Carnegie Groups Start
Pulteneytown People’s Project Carnegie programme will be running brand new groups for students attending Thurso and Wick High Schools.
Pupils from Wick High School started their programme on August 23, closely followed by the Thurso pupils who started on August 25. The program will run until the October holidays, giving the students involved help and support in finding and maintaining employment.
Carnegie is a programme which seeks to provide both a theoretical and practical course tailor suited to young people of school age who are potential school leavers. Through Carnegie young adults are better prepared for starting work.
Both groups will be studying SQA Employability and Steps to Work where the units focus on preparing for employment, building their employability skills, responsibilities of employment and dealing with work situations. Additionally the students will be taking the Road Safety Awareness SQA in order to help them pass their driving theory test.
Debbie Sutherland, Principal Teacher of Student Support at Thurso High School explained how Carnegie would benefit the pupils: “The pupils are all very excited about starting and have been asking me constantly when it’s going to begin! It’s great to see them so interested.
“The work that the students are going to do at Carnegie will be really good for their CVs and building upon their skills. Carnegie will give them new responsibilities and an environment outside of what the school can provide. It’s always of benefit to the students to get outside companies providing different services.
“The feedback we’ve received from pupils in similar programmes in the past has been very positive and Thurso High School is looking forward to working with PPP in the future, especially with the post-16 years-old pupils.”
Leslie Gunn, Deputy Rector of Wick High School added: “Wick High School values the links which have been developed over several years with PPP.
“The Carnegie programme has been of real benefit to our pupils, particularly those people who need support to help them find a positive destination to move on to after school.
“It has proved effective in providing a bridge between school and college or further training. Our students develop a genuine respect for the treatment they receive at the hands of Sandy Jappy and his staff.”
New Textile Group
Pulteneytown People’s Project is starting a new textile art group due to public demand.
Starting September 7, the ten week class is run by talented local artist Bettine Bain and will be held on Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm at 44 Murchison Street, Wick.
The class is suitable for beginners or those with more experience and will take you through the steps to create beautiful works of art using different materials such as cloth, cotton, dyes, fabrics and lots more.
Interest in the artform was raised through PPP’s Arts and Crafts Showcase on July 30-31 where skilled members of current PPP textile groups displayed their work. Visitors on the days were so impressed they asked to put their names down for art groups.
The textile group will cost £50 for the whole ten week course, plus an additional £10 for all your materials.
Anyone wishing to join this group or registering their interest in future arts and crafts groups can call PPP on 01955 606950.
Last Chance to be a Part of the Youth Committee
If you’re aged 11-19 and want to be a part of PPP’s Youth Committee then Friday August 19 is your last chance to apply.
Application forms have to be submitted into the PPP offices by Friday for a chance to be included on the committee. As a member of the Youth Committee you will have a say in how the new Community Centre being built on Huddart Street is run, as well as making important decisions on the decoration of the rooms, what furniture is included and even what equipment is purchased.
Being on the committee allows you to take part in activities (a trip to badaguish is already planned) and visit other youth centres to research what works for them. Being a part of the committee will be a valuable addition to your CV and the hours you work can be used towards Millennium Volunteering Awards.
Please fill out the downloadable forms and hand them in to the office at 41 Murchison street, Wick, or email the forms to leona.macnab@btconnect.com
MAASK is Starting Again
MAASK will be resuming its normal after school care service from August 16. The cost is £4 per day, which includes a pick-up and drop-off service from Pulteneytown Academy, North and Hillhead Schools. Registration forms can be downloaded on the MAASK section of our website or you can request one by emailing: maask@btconnect.com. Children new to MAASK are able to come with their parent for the day to meet all the other children and staff.
First Aid Course
Lives saving skills were top priority as PPP held an Emergency First Aid at Work Course on August 4.
Wick Youth Club played host to the event which ran from 9am to 4:30pm, teaching members of the public some serious skills in treating injuries.
A total of nine people attended the course learning from how to treat everything from dislocations to resuscitation and burns. The course was theoretical and practical in nature which gave those attending the chance to learn as much as possible and then put their new found skills into practice.
Approved by the Health Executive, by the end of the day everyone received a certificate to prove they knew what to do in an emergency.
Further Emergency First Aid at Work Courses are to be held in September and October. These courses will cost £115, however this can be paid for through ILA (Individual Learning Account) if you have it set up.
Anyone interested in coming to First Aid Courses in September or October should call the PPP office on 01955 606950.
PPP Arts and Crafts Showcase
The Arts and Crafts Showcase was a huge success with countless people coming from all over Caithness to admire the beautiful pieces on display. You can read all about what happened on the following page - Arts and Crafts Showcase - and see some photos of the artwork on this page - Art Showcase Photos.
PPP Arts and Crafts Showcase - Time Change for Sunday
The Arts and Crafts Showcase starts Saturday (July 30) at Wick Youth Club, running until Sunday (July 31). Everybody is welcome to come down and see some magnificent art whilst also finding out about PPP and the new Community Centre on Huddart Street.
Doors open on Saturday at 10 - 4pm and on Sunday 12 - 4pm. A donation will be asked for at the door.
You can read all about the Showcase on this web page - Arts and Crafts ShowcaseYouth Committee
Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project is looking to set up a Youth Committee to be involved in the direction and drive of the youth facilities in their new Community Centre.
Katrina MacNab, CEO of Pulteneytown People’s Project, explains: “The PPP wants to involve young people in all aspects of the youth facilities; purchasing equipment for the areas, opening times, right through to what they want purchased with the funding secured.
“There are unique opportunities involved with this role and we want to ensure we are seeing things from a youth’s perspective.
“In the design stage we worked with a group of young people and they came up with ideas within the design that we had not thought of. We want it to meet the needs of today’s young people and we can only do this by involving a mix of ages of young people who will be using the facilities.
“We want to take young people to see other youth facilities in the Highlands and to learn from other youth committees how they are involved in their facilities. They will then use these ideas to develop their own facilities in the Centre.
“We are looking to recruit around 10 - 14 young people aged between 11-19 to represent the views and ideas of the young people in the area; we will have a brainstorming session to get ideas, and discuss possible layout of furniture, along with their ideas of opening times and operating procedures.”
There will be a number of benefits, including having the chance to visit other youth groups around the Highlands to gather up some ideas. They will also be involved in how the youth sector is run and what activities are to be run. The hours can go toward a Millennium Volunteering Award.
A short application is available on the PPP website or from the office: 41 Murchison Street, Wick, KW1 5HW. Finished applications should be submitted before Friday, August 5, to leona.macnab@btconnect.com or the PPP office.
Emergency First Aid at Work Course
Learn how to save a life whilst gaining an invaluable Health and Safety Executive approved qualification at the Pulteneytown People’s Project Emergency First Aid at Work Course.
Held in Wick Youth Club on Thursday, August 4, the session will cost £115 (which can be covered with ILA funding if you have it in place) and will run from 9am until 4.30pm. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
The course will cover a variety of skills including: health and safety regulations, management of an incident, treatment of unconscious casualties, chocking, seizures, bleeding, shock, resuscitation, priorities of first aid, and common workplace illnesses and injuries.
Taught by a fully qualified instructor, this friendly and comprehensive course will be perfect for improving your CV and gaining skills which many employers actively seek.
Companies interested in booking multiple places should contact PPP for information regarding pricing.
Spaces are limited to 12 people so book your place now by contacting PPP on 01955 606950.
Summer Club 2011
This year’s Summer Club was a huge success – see all the photos in the Summer Club album.
County Show
Pulteneytown People’s Project had a fantastic day at the Caithness County Show on July 16.
At the table we had a “guess the weight of the cake” competition as well as a “how many sweets are in the jar” competition. People came the whole day to try to win the cake and sweets, some employing very inventive methods!
We also had an information table with leaflets, posters and flyers giving details on all our groups and the future of PPP when it moves into the new Community Centre in February 2012.
Not only did PPP have a fantastic day, but the children from MAASK entered several competitions and received a first and a second place! In the category "Flower arranging in your Favourite Toy" MAASK children proved they had the skills to catch the judges' eyes, with Abbie Douglas gaining second place and Kaitlin Frett gaining first. Well done to all the children who entered a piece on the day.
Anyone who missed out on attending will be happy to hear that you can come along to PPP’s Arts and Crafts Showcase on July 30-31st. Displaying artwork such as painting, knitting, quilting and textile art from all the various PPP arts and crafts classes, this will be a perfect day exploring the work of some extremely talented Caithness artists.
There will also be another chance to come to the information table where you will be able to see the plans for the Community Centre building, ask about what groups and projects you can get involved with, or anything you wish to know about PPP.
Summer Bus Trip
Ladies and gentlemen are back after a wonderful trip organised by PPP to see the sights in Beauly, Tain and Strathpeffer.
A hired bus left Wick early Tuesday, July 12 and headed out in the beautiful sunshine carrying 44 people onboard. A full day was planned for everyone, with plenty of options available to ensure they had the best possible outing.
There were chances to visit the distillery, Tain Through Time or a pottery studio in Tain, while others decided to see the Museum of Childhood in Strathpeffer. In Beauly the highlights of the day were Made in Scotland, Patches and a must-see gallery full of exhibits.
To finish off such an incredible trip everybody gathered for dinner and enjoyed a delicious meal. Everyone loved their dinner, having everything from soup or oatcakes and pate for a starter; fish and chips or salads for their main; and cheesecake or ice cream for a dessert. After such a filling meal everyone got back on the bus to return to Wick.
As you can see from the photos the group had the perfect day.
See all the photos of the bus trip here.
MAASK Summer Club
The sun might not be splitting the skies but that isn’t stopping the children at MAASK from having a great summer.
Starting on July 4 the MAASK Summer Club has seen over thirty children attending each day. So far the children have been on trips to John O’Groats to look for sea creatures in the rock pools, visited Dunrobin Castle to learn about history, taken part in lots of fun sporting competitions and been busy designing artwork to display at the County Show.
All of the children have loved each day at MAASK Summer Club, which is held at South School, Wick. Josh Honeyman said: “We’ve been decorating tiles by painting pictures on them for everyone to see. I’ve also been playing lots of sports with my friends; my favourite sport is definitely badminton.”
Wicktoria Babojc added: “We’ve been doing lots of things so far like playing on the Nintendo Wii, drawing lots of pictures and having races. I’ve had a really great time.”
Running until July 22, the Summer Club still has plenty of activities for the children to enjoy. Further trips to Dunrobin Castle, Dunnett Forest and Reiss Beach are planned as well as many more outings, and the children will be taking part in an ‘It’s a Knockout’ contest with other local holiday clubs. Keeping the children active and healthy will be games of dodgeball, pool, football and playing on trampolines as well as anything else the children can think of.
Jennifer Nicholson, PPP staff member who works at MAASK, said: “The Summer Club has been so successful already and the children are really enjoying it. Some of the children who only came for one day to begin with have wanted to stay for the whole week; they are having so much fun. We make sure every child gets to take part in what they most enjoy and that they have a friendly, safe environment to play in.”
Children can still be booked into the Summer Club until July 22. Running Monday-Friday, 9-5, prices are £9 for a full day or £6 for a half day and this includes a pick-up, drop-off service plus a light snack. Toast and a drink are provided for breakfast but parents are asked to provide a packed lunch. To book your child a place please call the PPP office on 01955 606950.
See all the MAASK photos on the MAASK page.
County Show
During the Caithness County Show (July 15-16) PPP will have an information table at the Riverside and Westerseat Grounds which will be covered with leaflets, pamphlets, posters and everything you could need for a full 360 degree view of Pulteneytown People’s Project and its activities.
Find out about the new Community Centre and what it can offer you, pick up a newsletter and read about what PPP is currently doing in the community or find one of our many groups to join such as art classes, computing classes and youth projects.
PPP has something for everyone and you will find it all at the County Show stall.
PPP Arts and Crafts Showcase
PPP will be hosting an Arts and Crafts Showcase on July 30-31st. Read all about it on this page: Arts and Crafts Showcase
College Course Celebration of Achievement Night
Students have been celebrating the end of their College Course with a Celebration of Achievement night at Flagstones Restaurant, Thurso.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday June 22, saw six college students, their families and representatives from local educational establishments and Pulteneytown People’s Project attend to watch Ashley Mcphee, Elly Mcphee, Ella Aston, Brett Webster, Jordon Farmer and Nicole Fraser, all 17 years old, receive their awards.
The students have been taking part in a course run in partnership between PPP and North Highland College which aims at breaking down the barriers which young adults may feel are preventing them from applying to college.
The course helps people to reengage with learning and training, join in mainstream activities and supports the students into further education and employment.
Cath Mackenzie, PPP co-ordinator for the course, said: “It’s been amazing working with the students and seeing them rewarded tonight.
“The College Course gives them the opportunity to really develop and learn skills which they will find invaluable for their future careers.
“It’s been a fantastic journey to get to this stage and they are all fully deserving of their awards. They’re all going on to do such interesting courses and will undoubtedly have great success in these too.”
During the course students are able to participate in theoretical and practical subjects such as catering, health and hygiene, and work towards gaining their Millennium Volunteering Award and various qualifications.
Awards given out on the night included Volunteering Awards, Ready Study Go Awards, Customer Care, Problem Solving, Team Building, Communication, Numeracy, Working Effectively with Others and ICT.
Ashley, Elly and Ella also received awards for their submission to the ‘Every Picture Tells a Story” competition.
Ella Aston said: “The course has simply been the best, especially meeting all the people who take part. It’s helped me so much and now I’m going to do a course in Business and Computing which will be great.”
A final prize was awarded to the student with the best attendance, which was Elly McPhee.
Elly said: “Through the College Course I found the perfect subject to study – Business and Accounts. The course was really good for giving me direction in where to go and I enjoyed every moment of it.”
Next academic session Ashley is going on to do SVQ Level 1 Hospitality, Elly Business Management and Ella NC Computing. Both Jordon and Brett are going to study SPA in Construction and Engineering. Nicole is expecting her first baby and will resume her studies on SVQ Level 2 Food Preparation and Cooking course in the following academic year.
Speaking of the evening, Grant Ramsay, PPP Chairperson, said: “The student’s achievements tonight are truly remarkable. They’ve all done so well to get here and it’s been a great evening celebrating the progress they have made towards moving onto the next stage of their lives.”
The partnership College Course is funded by the European Social Fund.
Youth Committee
We are looking for young people to form a YOUTH Committee for our new Community Centre. We need eight young people aged 12-19 to represent the views and ideas of the young people in the area. There will be a number of benefits, including having the chance to visit other youth groups around Scotland to gather up some ideas of what they have. You will also have a say in how the youth sector is run and what activities they take part in. Committee members will have a team building session at Laser Tag. This opportunity will count towards an SQA award in Enterprise and Employability and Millennium Awards.
Closing Date 11pm Thursday 7thJuly 2011
Inside the Community Centre
See for the first time what the new Community Centre build looks like from the inside! The photos, taken on the 28th June, show all the main rooms as they are being constructed and provides a good perspective on what the finished building will look like inside.
Have a look at the page here.
PPP Holiday Period Open Times
From the 4th July until the 12th of August the Pulteneytown People's Project will be working on restricted hours.
These hours will be 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm.
Thank you.
Bus Trip
We are looking for people who are interested in having a fun day out with their friends and having the chance to meet new people. We are running a bus trip on Tuesday 12th of July to Tain, Strathpeffer and Beauly. There are 4 pick-up points around the town. Spaces are limited on a first come first served basis. The trip costs £13 and we need a £5 non-refundable deposit to be handed in to the office along with your registration form ASAP. This £13 covers the price of the bus and also a two course meal in the Strathpeffer hotel.
During the trip, there will be opportunities to do activities as a group or to wander around the towns and shop. There will be opportunities for history lovers to visit Tain Through Time Museum, The Highland Museum of Childhood, Strathpeffer Railway Station and The Eagle Stone. Artists will have the opportunity to meet potters at Tain Pottery, Patches Quilting Shop, and get inspiration from Beauly Art Gallery. There is also opportunity for visiting Glenmorangie distillery, shopping and wandering around these little towns with walks along the river in Strathpeffer and Beauly.
Money should be in for Friday, July 1, and forms can be picked up in the office or your spot booked over the phone. Call 01955 606950.
MAASK Summer Club
GET ready for the MAASK Summer Club! Starting July 4th to the 22nd in South School there will be lots for the children to do.
Activities so far include arts and crafts, football, parachute games and outdoor sports, as well as trips to Dunrobin Castle, Campster Cairns, Caithness Summer Fruits, various playparks and a potential trip to Landmark. The children will even be entering items into the County Show in the categories of “Frame your Pet” and “Flower Arrangement in your Favourite Toy”. This will be great fun for the children and will give them a sense of pride and achievement.
We will also be attending “It’s a Knockout” which is being held in Thurso this year. We join up with other holiday clubs and have a barbecue, play games and compete for the “It’s a Knockout” shield.
Monday to Friday, 9-5, prices are £9 for a full day and £6 for a half day – this price includes a pick-up and drop-off service plus a light snack. Toast and a drink are provided for breakfast but parents are asked to provide a packed lunch.
Visit the MAASK page to learn more about the group and to download registration forms and activity planners for the Summer Club.
Scottish Care Awards 2011 - May 30th 2011
Congratulations to HomeLink Caithness for being runner-up in Housing Support Services Carer of the Year at the Scottish Care Awards 2011. At a wonderful ceremony in Glasgow the HomeLink and office staff were recognised for all the hard work they do each day. Out of 250 applications and 8 shortlisted companies HomeLink came runner-up. It was a magnificent achievement and the first of many such awards we are sure.
PPP Concerned at impact of ILA Funding - May 18th 2011
Pulteneytown People’s Project has warned that its well-attended leisure classes in the east of Caithness face an uncertain future because of changes to Individual Learning Account (ILA) funding.
ILAs are provided under a Scottish Government scheme to encourage people over 16 with an income of £22,000 a year or less to continue learning. However, the changes revealed last week will have serious implications for the classes provided by PPP in Wick and three rural communities.
Over the past six years PPP has developed Art and Fibre Art classes across the east of the county, initially using Highland Council funding to develop the first 10-week class. During this time staff helped the candidates apply for their ILAs and they could use this Government funding of £200 to pay for 40 weekly sessions, allowing them to continue throughout the year.
This has enabled some 66 people over the age of 50 to attend tutored classes in Watten, Keiss, Clyth and Wick. Under the new criteria, though, ILAs can no longer be used for leisure classes.
PPP chief executive Katrina MacNab is concerned at the impact the changes will have and is seeking a solution.
“This really hits hard those over the age of 50 who enjoy the classes but do not want to sit exams,” she said. “If they want to sit Higher Art they can use their ILA accounts, but not for an activity that does not have an exam or is a certificated course.
“Most people come because they love the friendly atmosphere and they enjoy learning in an informal setting.”
One of those to have benefited from the PPP classes is Margot Harper from Wick.
She said: “It is unfortunate that we could apply for our ILA funding last year, but now it is going to be withdrawn. I thoroughly enjoy coming to the art class each week – it’s like reliving my childhood, and I feel I have come on in leaps and bounds in the six years I’ve been attending.
“The class gives me a chance to do something I have always wanted to do. There’s really nothing for our age group to do in Wick and there is nothing I would rather spend my ILA funding money on.
“Elsewhere in the country people have access to so many different classes and groups, but here all we really have are the PPP classes.”
Mrs MacNab says PPP is hoping to find a long-term solution that will allow the classes to continue and be developed.
“The classes are all established and everyone looks forward to going and meeting their friends,” she said. “We worked in partnership with the Watten and Keiss communities and only recently established these classes. Local people were delighted as they didn’t have to travel outwith their community and it helped to support the local halls.
“Even though no-one can now claim their ILA, we have decided to continue the classes we have committed to until the end of June. We will stop for the summer and work with each class to see if we can find a solution.”
She added that some people who are in employment are happy to pay for the sessions, while others such as pensioners will find it more difficult. Some are willing to continue without a class tutor so they are still meeting while a solution is sought.
One idea being considered is an art exhibition where the groups can show off their talents. PPP will also try to attract funding for these sessions.
HomeLink are in the Scottish Care Awards Finals - May 17th 2011
HomeLink have been recognised as one of Scotland's leading carers by reaching the finals of the coveted Scottish Care Awards 2011.
Beating over 250 other applicants in the category 'Housing Support Services Carer of the Year', HomeLink will now attend a glittering awards ceremony in Glasgow on May 27 to discover if they have won.
Reaching the finals is a fantastic achievement for HomeLink who fully deserve the praise and respect this award brings.
Mo Sutherland, HomeLink Manager, was delighted when the finalists were announced. She said: "It's such a wonderful achievement to have made it to this stage.
"Being nominated is recognition from our clients and colleagues for all the hard work put in by the team over the past year.
"We are only a small team so to be recognised for such a prestigious award is a huge achievement for us."
Working tirelessly throughout Caithness in assisting members of the public, HomeLink is one of the longest running services offered by the Pulteneytown People's Project.
Yvonne Hendry, PPP Director and Development Officer for Caithness Voluntary Group, said: "It is very rewarding to have been shortlisted in this category of the Scottish Care Awards.
"HomeLink fulfils a vital role in the community and this national recognition is a tribute to our hardworking staff in delivering such an excellent service."
The awards dinner is sponsored by Dementia Services Development Centre, Boots UK Limited, OKD Insurance Brokers and Santander.
Construction Site - May 10th 2011
If you were wondering what the towering crane was on the Wick skyline today, it was on Huddart Street helping to lift concrete blocks to be used on our brand new Community Centre. The building is looking incredible now with the ground base well on the way to being completed and substructure walling being added to every day. Visit our Community Centre picture blog to see the build from the start to the present.
The Access to College Course is on Facebook - May 4th 2011
The PPP's Access to College Course now has it's own Facebook page, complete with pictures and lots of information on the group. You can visit the page here:
facebook.com/accesstocollege, where you can 'like' the page and show your support for the hardworking teenagers and the PPP.Summer Computing Groups - April 20th 2011
With all current computer groups fully booked, the Pulteneytown People’s Project are responding to the public’s desire to learn computer skills by running three additional groups.
There will be two Summer Basic Computing Groups, group 1 on a Monday and group 2 on a Wednesday, both from 6pm to 8pm, with an earlier group 3 on Wednesday morning from 11am to 1pm.
The groups, which will all be run out of the PPP Training Centre at 44 Murchison Street, Wick, begin on May 9 and will run for ten weeks.
Topics covered will be basic computing hints and tips, Internet options, use of accessories, word processing, presentations, photo editing, and much more. The class is designed for people of all ages, and friendly, helpful tutors will always be on hand to provide assistance.
PPP staff will help interested parties claim their Individual Learning Account (ILA) which will mean the classes are free to attend, or a fee of £50 can be paid for each ten week block.
Due to the past popularity of such groups, it is recommended you confirm your booking in advance by calling the PPP on 01955 606950, or alternatively email amalie.cormack@btconnect.com or vince.walker@btconnect.com.
Boys Group and Lybster Paintball - April 19th 2011
The PPP Boys Group and Lybster Youth Club had a fantastic day out paintballing at Wildwoodz Paintball Centre on Sunday, April 17. After an early start and a quick trip shopping to Inverness the ‘Band of Brothers’ donned their overalls, loaded their paintball guns, and headed off into the woods to take part in a series of challenges with plenty of paint and excitement.
Young Workers Finish Their Placements - April 7th 2011
Four young men received certificates at a special ceremony from the PPP for finishing their placements in local construction firms.
Niall Gallagher, Bobby Black, Gordon MacNab, and Aaron Wilson all proved their worth by working hard and impressing their employers during the six months they were employed. To celebrate their success, Vince Walker of the PPP took the men out for a meal at a local restaurant where they were each handed their certificates.
This was a double cause for celebration as all four recently passed their Emergency First Aid at Work course. They learned both theoretical and practical based skills in treating fractures, burns, bleeding, injury reporting, CPR, and how to deal with certain scenarios they may face in their working life. The six hour course was run by Vince Walker, certified through Ken Brown Leisure Training.
There was also good news for all the young men as they look set to move into apprenticeships or further employment. Niall was informed by his placement employer MM Miller that he is to be kept on as an apprentice, Bobby has secured an apprenticeship with Lee Mackay Joinery, Gordon is hoping to be kept on, and Aaron is exploring the idea of becoming self employed with help from the PPP.
Congratulations to all four and we hope they find every success in their future careers.
Tesco Community Award for MAASK - April 7th 2011
It's Easter at MAASK and the children were delighted when they received a Tesco Community Award to help them celebrate the holidays.
On Wednesday, April 6, the children were met by Tesco Wick Store Manager Stuart Cowan at South School where they showed off the toys and ideas they came up with for spending the £2,210 they received.
Stuart Cowan said: “There’s such a great selection of toys here for all the kids, allowing them to use their imagination and play together.
“It’s really great for the kids, the community, and their parents as they have such a trustworthy group where the children can enjoy themselves.
“It’s a really worthwhile cause which will benefit the whole community.”
The toys will come in handy for the MAASK Easter Club which runs from Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 15, giving children from Primary 1 to 2nd Year of High School the chance to have an action packed holiday.
Costing £8 for the whole day or £5 for half a day, with a pick-up and drop-off service provided for children in Wick, there will be plenty going on such as trips to Dunnet Forest and Ormlie Play Park, a treasure hunt at Dunbeath Strath, and lots of games and competitions throughout the week. The week ends with a special colouring competition and a BBQ.
Snacks and juice are provided for the children, but they will need to bring a packed lunch to keep all their energy levels up after so many activities!
There are still places available for the Easter Club, with an activity planner, and booking and permission forms available to download on the MAASK section of this website: MAASK
Charity Mountain Climb -March 17th 2011
PPP staff member Nicole Cassie is undertaking a mountainous task by scaling Morven, the highest point in Caithness, in aid of Cancer Research UK. Nicole is hoping to raise £2000 for the charity when she climbs the 706 meter tall mountain in June this year.
You can help by coming to the PPP offices, 41 Murchison Street, Wick, and sponsoring Nicole.
We all wish Nicole the best of luck!
Mum's Fun - March 10th 2011
Read about our fantastic Mum's Fun Group which meets every Monday in the PPP: Mum's Fun
The mum's have recently been creating a poster to display at the HALP 2011 Conference. There's a prize for the best poster so we're keeping our fingers crossed the girls win!
We'll keep you informed as to how they get on.
Easter Club - March 8th 2011
The PPP Easter Club is preparing for a fun-filled Easter. Running from the 11thto the 15th of April in South Primary School, the kids will be able to make Easter bonnets, paint eggs, play on game consoles such as Nintendo Wii and DS, and take part in lots of outdoor activities. Weather permitting there might even be a trip to Balmore. The Easter Club is open to all children in Primary One through to 2ndyear at High School – prices are £8 for the full day, £5 for half a day. This price includes snacks, but those attending for the full day will need to bring a packed lunch also. A free pick-up and drop-off service is provided for children living in Wick. Places fill up quickly, so contact the PPP office on (01955) 606950 to book your child’s place.
DIYnamo! - March 3rd 2011
A new social enterprise, DIYnamo, is set to revolutionise general maintenance in the homes and gardens of Caithness residents.
Run by the Pulteneytown People’s Project, DIYnamo’s aim is to provide affordable services for the general public and procure contract work by bidding for competitive tenders; this will in turn allow the elderly in the community to have work done on their property at a subsidised rate.
The money made from contract and public work helps to pay for the up-keep of elderly citizens’ homes. By hiring the DIYnamo team the public will be ensuring that pensioners who need the most help will pay the least for it.
Co-ordinated by Fraser Malcolm, the DIYnamo workers will be available to cut grass, clean windows, wallpaper rooms, build fences, power-wash paths and patios, and carry out many more general maintenance tasks for anyone living in Caithness.
This invaluable service will mean that people struggling to maintain the up-keep of their property have a friendly, reliable, and affordable team dedicated to giving them the best possible assistance.
DIYnamo has already been running pilot-jobs with great success, leaving many people delighted with the work that was done.
Wick resident Anne Belton said: “DIYnamo was wonderful! They built a front and back fence for me and cleaned the garden path. The men even worked while it was raining and were very professional and polite. I couldn’t find a fault with them in any way and would definitely have them carry out work again.”
Fraser Malcolm has been working in DIY and garden maintenance for 23 years. While working at Wick High School as a janitor he was regularly fixing problems around the school and maintaining the grounds, and he also ran a self-employed DIY business for 20 years where he carried out various work in and around Wick.
Fraser said: “I’ve been DIY minded since I was very young and was brought up doing joinery and gardening. While self employed I did a lot of painting and decorating, worked on patios, and lots of other jobs. I found myself doing virtually every job at some point.”
The DIYnamo team, consisting of Fraser Malcolm, Andrew Edwards, and Martin John, hope that the project will be embraced by the community and prove useful to those who require maintenance done to their property.
Andrew and Martin, who until recently were long-term unemployed, were taken on by DIYnamo through the Future Job Fund which will provide their salary for six months. After this period they hope that DIYnamo will be generating enough income to keep them employed, working, and helping the community.
Andrew said: “DIYnamo has been really good experience for me and it’s a great job. Hopefully it will take-off as a business and I can keep working. It’s also brilliant to be helping older people in the community.”
Martin said: “I enjoy working with DIYnamo and it’s teaching me a lot. I’m gaining experience painting and decorating, and my first few days on the job I was even building fences for local residents. We get to help a lot of people working with DIYnamo.”
Able to carry-out work for all of Caithness’ residents, DIYnamo has also been fortunate in winning a contract with Albyn Housing Society.
DIYnamo was created with a start-up grant from the Scottish Government’s Wider Role Fund but now operates as a social enterprise generating its own income in order to continue and provide subsidised rates for the elderly. You can find out more information about DIYnamo or get a quote from the team by contacting the Pulteneytown People’s Project office on (01955) 606950, email p-p-p@btconnect.com.
Workingrite Opportunity - February 23rd 2011
A fantastic opportunity to secure yourself a place on the workingrite program has arisen.
If you are 16-19 years old and have officially left school contact the Pulteneytown People's Project and you could find yourself on a six month contract working for a local construction firm, earning wages and gaining experience in a practical job.
Two places in the Workingrite program have just became available and interviews hope to be conducted soon. The offer is open to all who meet the above mentioned criteria and are from the Caithness or Sutherland area.
On the Workingrite program you will learn whilst working, get hands-on experience, earn over £90 a week and receive specific job training if required. This is a fantastic opportunity which will help towards gaining future employment and apprenticeships.
For more details or to show your interest in this opportunity please contact Vince Walker on (01955) 606950 as soon as possible.
Community Centre Turf Cutting Ceremony - February 22nd 2011
Construction work has started on the Pulteneytown People’s Project’s new £3.4 million Community Centre in Wick, Caithness.
The Centre is set to rejuvenate the east side of Caithness when it opens in February 2012 by providing a truly unique, multi-functional facility which will cater for community services, training, and small businesses.
At a turf-cutting ceremony held on 16 February representatives from the various people and organisations involved in the build were in attendance, braving wind and rain to watch this monumental occasion.
From the Centre, being built on Huddart Street, Wick, by local construction firms, an incredible number of activities will take place, acting at the heart of the community to provide for mothers, fathers, children, teenagers, and older citizens.
Grant Ramsay, Chairperson for the Pulteneytown People’s Project, said: “This new Centre is going to be a real boon for the whole community by offering so many facilities to the public and also creating new jobs which will be good for the local economy too.
“It’s great that we have local constructors working on the project and they are doing a fantastic job.
“Everyone involved in the Centre has been working so hard to get to this point and they have done extremely well.”
Director Reverend John Nugent added: “The new facility is a prime example of what happens when members of a community get together to seek the good of their community.”
Hundreds of people attend courses and use the facilities at the Pulteneytown People’s Project every week and the new Centre will allow current and future projects to expand, reaching even more of the population. This will of course be of great benefit to those who desire to use these services and will revive an area which previously has been struggling with social and economic difficulties.
The Community Centre will also provide office space for starter and small companies where they will be able to share a secretary or hire their own, make use of printing and photocopying machines, and use all the other facilities offered. This will inject new opportunities into the Highlands for starting and existing businesses, create jobs, and present increased services to some of the remotest parts of Scotland.
The Community Centre’s design focuses on making all its features multi-purpose. There will be a spacious hall where youth groups can play sports or have discos, but which will also contain one hundred and twenty bleacher seats for conferences, theatre, and large meetings. This will provide not only much needed facilities for local youths but prove an essential asset for smaller businesses in the area.
Internet access, a soft-play area, and a training kitchen will all be included in the Community Centre cafe which will prove to be a hive of activity where businesses can discuss work over a coffee and the public can come in for a chat while the kids play safely within view. With the addition of the training kitchen any budding chefs will be able to create their own menus for the delectation of visitors whilst gaining experience in catering.
Specifically for teenagers the Community Centre will feature custom built youth ‘drop-ins’ with rooms set-aside to converse in, play on various games consoles, or simply relax in comfortable seating areas.
A similar feature will be a ‘drop-in’ crèche which will provide ad-hoc childcare for off-shore workers, those on shifts, and of course all those parents who are attending one of the Community Centre’s numerous training classes or programs.
Director Yvonne Hendry said: “The community centre will be the culmination of all the hard work that has been done by the staff and volunteers of PPP since we began in 2003. It’s fantastic that we’ll have this purpose-built focal point for the many courses, classes, services and social activities that have been built up over the years.”
The building itself will be an elegantly modern design reflecting the forward thinking of the Pulteneytown People’s Project. Built on two floors, the ground will host the reception, sports hall/conference room, the cafe, crèche, and art and training rooms. The upper floor will house the office spaces along with a band practice room, IT suite, and another training room.
Simon Coles, Programme Manager with Babcock International Group and also a Director with Pulteneytown People’s Project, said: “This is a really exciting time, seeing the Community Centre start to rise from the ground gives a real sense of the scale of the facility and the opportunities that lie ahead.
“It shows that PPP continues to be serious about delivering on its promise to support the community; The facilities here will be a real boost to community activities and, I hope, the economic development of the area, encouraging and supporting new and existing businesses to grow through the use of the support arrangements available. In a year’s time, the community will have a new centre of which they can be proud.”
All encompassing, the Community Centre has been in the planning stages for six years, during which time there has been widespread and constant consultation with the public to determine just what is needed in the community. Changing with the suggestions and recommendations of local groups and organisations, the Pulteneytown People’s Project Community Centre is definitely for the people, by the people.
Director Eric Farquhar said: “This project, asked for by the people of Pulteney, is a wonderful example of how a community’s vision for their future is about to be realised.”
Anne Belton, Director for Pulteneytown People’s Project said: “The turf-cutting ceremony went off really well. The construction is certainly coming along and it’s looking very impressive. Now people in Wick can see that it is really going ahead.
“The new Centre will definitely help the community and I hope people of all ages will embrace it. I can’t wait for it to be finished as I’d love to see the completed building.”
Thurso and Orkney based Pentarq was appointed last year as the Contract Administrator and QS. Local Contractor MM Miller was awarded the contract in December 2010. MM Miller will be sub-contracting electrical work to GA Barnies.
Stewart Henderson of DSRL (Dounreay Site Restoration Limited) and Pulteneytown People’s Project Director, said: “DSRL are pleased to support PPP in this important local initiative.”
None of this remarkable project would have been possible were it not for the generous contributions from the Pulteneytown People’s Project funders, who have confirmed a total of £3.4 million towards the construction. Our funders are; The BIG Lottery, Community Energy Scotland, European Regional Development Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Highland Council, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, The Robertson Trust, Score Environment, Scottish Government Wider Role, and Social Investment Scotland.
The Pulteneytown People’s Project website will be keeping you up-to-date on how the build is progressing with weekly photos and information. You can follow along by visiting our blog.
New Art Class - February 17th 2011
An art class will be starting on Thursday, February 24 in Keiss Hall. The class runs from 10am - 12pm
The class runs for 10 weeks and is free to attend.
Everybody is welcome, so why not come along and unleash your artistic side!
Contact the PPP for more information or to book your spot.
New Art Class - February 16th 2011
A brand new Art Class is starting in Watten Hall on Thursday, February 24th.
The class lasts for 10 weeks and is free to attend.
Everybody is welcome, so why not come and release your artistic side!
Contact the PPP for more information or to book your spot.
College Catering Fits the Bill - February 8th 2011
The Pulteneytown People's Project College Access Course had its students out working at a local event where they learned the art of catering.
Taking place on February 8th, the college students had an introduction to hospitality management, served the public delicious food and drinks, and even gained food hygiene certificates.
As can be seen by these photos, the students were a great help on the day and their service was exquisite!
We're Now on Twitter and Facebook - January 25th 2011
The Pulteneytown People's Project are now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us to find out the latest news, information and work carried out by the PPP.
Dance For Caithness - February 3rd 2011
A brand new dance class will be starting in Keiss Hall and Lybster Hall on February 3rd.
The class is designed for everyone and will give participants a chance to learn some amazing new dance moves in hip-hop and street dance. A fully qualifed and professional instructor takes the class and it is sure to be popular.
Starting at 4:30 until 6 in Keiss, and 6:30 until 8 in Lybster, come along early to avoid any disappointment. Contact the Pulteneytown People's Project for more details.
The classes are charged at £2.
Watten Computer Classes - January 2011
Ten ladies from the village of Watten have been meeting every Wednesday to take part in a fun and informative computing class, turning them from beginners into masters on a keyboard.
For the last few weeks the ladies have been taught by the Pulteneytown People’s Project (PPP) how to email and use other tools such as word processing, PowerPoint, photo editing, Skype and much more.
Guided by Amalie Cormack, the Pulteneytown People’s Project Training Centre Manager, all ten ladies agree that they are much more confident using a computer and would be happy to be set loose using the skills they are developing.
Amalie said “It’s amazing how quickly the ladies got to grips with the laptops and learnt the basics. The ladies are now in the process of buying their own laptops and having the internet installed at home”
One member of the group said: “The computing lessons have been excellent. I couldn’t even turn on a computer before but now I can send emails to all my relatives. It’s a good idea for small villages, and I’m sure there are many more women interested in doing the course. I’ll be telling them all about it.”
Between working on the computers the ladies also have classes on textiles where they are able to learn about colour mixing, dyeing, fibres, and produce a final 3D project of their own choice.
The Watten computer class was created when staff at the PPP handed out questionnaires in the local community. They found that overwhelmingly people wanted help using computers.
Funded by the Highland Council’s Adult Learning in the Highlands initiative, Awards for All which provided funding for laptops, and invaluable help from the Watten village shop and Town Hall, the computer classes have proven to be a massive success. The PPP now plan on expanding the project to Keiss and other rural communities.
The original Watten class of fourteen ladies was fully booked, but there will be a new computing course starting within the next two weeks in Keiss. The course will be free and is sure to be popular, so anyone desiring a spot should apply quickly. Contact the Pulteneytown People's Project to book a place on this incredible group.
Power to the People - From Executive Magazine, July 2010 edition
Alan Hendry
A major development getting under way in Wick this summer will create a new focal point for a community that was once a byword for decline and neglect.
As well as opening up a wider range of social opportunities, the £4 million community enterprise centre planned by Pulteneytown People’s Project will give fresh impetus to the local economy with the creation of 13 jobs on top of the existing 20-strong workforce.
And a key aspect of the centre will be the scope it offers small-scale local businesses to run more efficiently and compete more effectively by sharing resources.
PPP has made huge progress since establishing itself as a community regeneration initiative just over seven years ago, guided by a board of directors who reflect the wishes of local residents. The aim was to raise aspirations and build a renewed sense of cohesion in an area of high unemployment that had spent too long at the wrong end of the multiple-deprivation index.
PPP rapidly came to national prominence in community-of-the-year and urban regeneration competitions, as can be seen in its offices where a wall behind the reception desk is dominated by a collection of framed awards and commendations. But the new centre will be PPP’s greatest achievement yet.
From its current base in a block of specially adapted council houses, PPP runs services for all ages out of no fewer than seven premises. There are computer classes in an accredited learning centre directly above the offices; arts and crafts sessions in another converted council property just across the road; and an after-school club, MAASK, at a nearby primary, to give just a few examples. These wide-ranging activities are highly popular, and invariably fully booked, but the logistics can be challenging – and, as things stand, there are limitations on what can be delivered. However, the new HQ will bring everything under one roof and allow many other services to be developed.
Building work is set to begin this July on a piece of waste ground adjacent to Pulteney Distillery, with completion likely to be in the late summer of 2011. The centre will include offices, training rooms, a youth room, a café, a soft play area and childcare facilities; it will be able to host conferences and will be available as an arts venue seating up to 120 people.
Chief executive Katrina MacNab is excited about the future, having been the driving force behind PPP since the beginning.
“The centre is going to be multifunctional,” she says. “We’ve got to run it as a business and make it viable on its own.
“We’ve got 20 staff already and we would expect about another 13 jobs between the café and caretakers and the spin-offs that would come from it. And then there would be social enterprise business facilities.”
Katrina explains that the centre could become a hub for local tradesmen who would reap the benefits of working out of the same premises.
“You might have a firm where the owner has five or six men but he works from the house. They could either rent a whole room and just run it themselves or they could have half a room and share a secretary – maybe plumbers in one part, electricians in the other, with one secretary between them who can do invoices for both, and a receptionist downstairs. There would be a photocopier at the end of the corridor and they’d have access to meeting rooms as well as the café.”
PPP will also be aiming to generate its own social enterprises. “One we were looking at was gardening – we could secure some contracts from housing associations and run them ourselves,” says Katrina.
While the organisation is rooted in the heart of Pulteneytown, on the south side of Wick, it also reaches out to the wider Caithness community. Indeed consultation is taking place on the provision of new services in several rural districts, while of the 80 clients currently on the books of HomeLink – the housing support service for young people which is managed by PPP – there are more from Thurso than from Wick.
It’s against this background that the final touches are being made to the £4 million funding package for the community enterprise centre. The main backers are the Big Lottery (£1 million), the European Regional Development Fund (£878,000), the Scottish Investment Fund (£500,000), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council (both £400,000), the Scottish Government’s Wider Role Fund (£210,000) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (£200,000), while grants have also come from the Robertson Trust and Community Energy Scotland.
Planning permission is in place, as is the building warrant, and site investigations have been carried out on the area of land which is the subject of a 50-year lease from the distillery. The tender process is nearing completion and the award of a design-and-build contract is imminent.
In the meantime, PPP will be pressing on with the task of regenerating the community through a combination of its own services and those it manages on behalf of national and local agencies. There are currently four service level agreements in place – from Supporting People, the Criminal Justice Service, Albyn Housing Society and Pentland Housing Association.
While operating very much as a business, PPP will continue to rely on one-off grants to maintain individual projects. “It’s just a mix and we’ll continue to do that. Up to 75 per cent of it will be self-sustainable – it’s got to be a business,” Katrina insists.
“A lot of what we have just now is sustainable with small grants. We’ll still run hobbies classes at £1 a session, which would never pay, but then you’ve got other things that are running that make a wee bit of profit.
“We’ve grown consistently. Even when project funding has come to an end we’ve managed to keep the staff on by developing other projects or developing a way of making things pay.
“MAASK was heavily subsidised in the first couple of years but now we take in probably 50 per cent of its income.
“Each project has got its own identity and I think we’ll continue to develop smaller projects which all go under the umbrella of PPP.”
Katrina points to the computer classes as an example of a service that is bringing social advantages as well as enhancing the employment prospects of those attending.
“We’ve got a complete mix of people,” she says. “We’ve got people who are older and are now able to email and use Skype to speak to family members. They’ve been doing internet banking and internet shopping, they’ve set up their Tesco account and things like that. They’re not looking for employment but it has given them a better quality of life.
“Then we’ve got others that are maybe in their thirties or forties and have never used computers but want to learn.”
The staff, too, are committed to acquiring new skills. Many have either gained, or are working towards, a range of qualifications from SVQs to Open University degrees.
Katrina is particularly proud of what the workforce has achieved.
“They’re inspirational,” she says. “As a group it’s almost like a family. They’re always there, and whatever ideas I come up with they always give 100 per cent support.
“They are trying as much as I am to improve PPP and deliver services that the people in the area want. I might be the front person but if I hadn’t had such a good staff, and directors as well, it wouldn’t have got to where it is now.
“They’re using the experience they’ve gained to help other people to try and improve their lives.”
