Rufusmusic: Rufuswork

thinking about intensity

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 22:29:20 GMT

Click the title for the link

I just read this and although it's in reference to Connexions PA's (I'm a keyworker partly funded by connexions) I think it fairly represents my job as a keyworker, the bit i've highlighted is right, we don't know if we'll have jobs after next March, so please can we get some long term security in OUR jobs, I know through experience that there are a lot of very very, very good Keyworkers & PAs doing a very very VERY VERY stressful, difficult job. There is a real need for this service and it is a very valuable one, I hope that whoever is responsible for making the decision regarding it's future funding understands this and backs Connexions (and me obviously) long term.

Sometimes we are making new contacts and maintaining relationships. Here we may simply greet people, ask how they are getting on, or talk about some TV programme or what they were doing last night. In terms of evaluating our work and reporting it to managers we can discuss this in terms of the number of contacts we make.
At other times we put on sessions or take part in activities and groups. This involves a more intense working relationship. We are looking to the processes in the group or the exchange; thinking about the subject matter; and trying to foster opportunities that can help people to gain better understandings, develop skills and to explore their values and feelings. We can think about these situations in terms of participants in sessions.
Last, there are times when we are dealing with sensitive questions - perhaps one-to-one or in a small group. We could describe this as counselling - but we prefer 'working with'. This is because we take counselling to be a specialist activity drawing heavily on psycho-dynamic insights. Educational approaches make some use of such insights but draw mainly from other, developmental, traditions. Examples here may be working with individuals around their family relationships or their strategies when dealing with social security officials. Here we may think of people as ‘clients’ and describe it as ‘casework’. This term may indicate a long-term approach that seeks to explore how individuals can handle problem relationships and situations.
From this we can see that the work of the same person may fall into different categories at various moments. To do casework we have to be known and to have contacts. The need for particular projects may emerge out of casework or from casual conversation. Each is dependent on the other. Again we are brought back to the false separation of informal and formal approaches.
Taken from Tony Jeffs and Mark K. Smith (2005) Informal Education. Conversation, democracy and learning, Nottingham: Educational Heretics Press.

Congratulations

Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:35:15 GMT

Thats a nice first word to read when you open a letter, I passed my foundation course.

Good Day, Good Sir

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 12:07:39 GMT

I handed my coursework in today for the youth and community studies foundation course I've been on since last October, and got a new contract as full time play keyworker through the post this morning so thats been signed and returned.

Bad day?

Tue, 17 May 2005 11:45:18 GMT

To anyone who feels the need to be offended by anything I say or do.

Fuck the lot of you.

Some more pics 18 04 05

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:54:27 GMT

I've finished all but 2 modules of my coursework, we had the last session last week and I've got the last session of my placement tomorrow before we evaluate the project next week.

Just took a few pics, there's a new shopping centre at bentley bridge that they've decided to light up in blue for the first time tonight.

Ashmore Park Youth Club News 31st January 2005

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 08:33:38 GMT

Went in for my foundation course yesterday and my tutor said our club had got another mention in the Express & Star, a big thankyou to Cllr Phil Bateman for his support for the Skate Club and their efforts to get a Skate Park in Ashmore.

From http://www.philbateman.com
Ashmore Park Youth Club continues to impress the Ashmore Park Police Liaison Committee with its attempts to involve the youth on the estate and the Youth Workers enthusiasm for their role.
Councillor Phil Bateman said " there is always a lot of attention on what is not working and very little attention given to what is working. I am so impressed with the way that the Youth Workers are taking up their roles. There is a real effort being made to get young people into sport and other activities that interest them.
I am as pleased as punch that for instance on Monday nights the Wolves football coaching is attracting upwards of 80 -100 young people. I am also pleased that the APYC is supporting the development of skateboarding and the call for a new skate park. I think it is brilliant that the youngsters from APYC made their own presentation to the recent Wednesfield Forum asking for funding to develop the skate park on Ashmore Park.
I know when I am campaigning for this funding that I am backed by a very enthusiastic bunch of young people that want to take on this development, not only that but want to involve them selves in the design and construction. Indeed the Youth Club is heavily involved in designs for the ramps that skate boarders use.
I am very keen to see the City Council do their part and help provide the resources for a skate park here in the Ward. I am meeting with the Leader of the Council soon. I shall certainly be arguing strongly with my colleague Councillor Dave Jones for some heavy weight backing for this leisure facility.
That is not the only things going on in the APYC there is a huge rumour circulating the estate that a 'band' has been formed and the music is good. We are all waiting for its debut! Other projects taking youngsters interest is a 'virtual babies' programme and sex and health education, singing drama and an alternative sports project. The Youth Workers are trying all they can to break up gangs that are not part of the organised events, and are trying to attract them into the structure. There is also a recruitment drive to find two more staff to help with the programme. As I have said I think those that are involved with APYC are doing a brilliant job and I fully support them in their endeavours."

Fantastic News

Wed, 12 Jan 2005 16:37:26 GMT

for me anyway.

After handing my notice in I got called in to the civic centre to speak to the staff development and principal officers about my situation, and after explaining it they offered me another post, as a part time keyworker, and with hours I'm already doing this pretty much gives me the equivelent of a full time job, until one becomes available.

I went in today to sign the contract so it's all confirmed, and obviously I'm very bloody happy.

Back on the dole again?

Thu, 02 Dec 2004 11:28:43 GMT

I haven't heard anything about my interview yet but I have to hand my notice in for my part time job today, I don't have much choice thanks to the wonderful DWP, you're only allowed 12 months permitted work on benefits and that ends on 2nd Jan, I had 3 options, one is increase my hours to 16 and apply for working tax credit, I've asked about this and been told no, I'm already on the most part time hours in the sector, or I can give up my benefits, which I'd love to do, and obviously would if I ever get a full time job again, but for now I can't afford to live on the wages I'm getting, so the last option is to quit, not much of a choice at all really.

Interview Update

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 22:42:44 GMT

There were about 40 applicants there today, fortunately I knew a few of them already so that helped settle my nerves.

After introductions and an ice-breaker we broke off into smaller groups and worked on the task of re-selling a peg, for which I made up a catchy little ditty that I'll spare you from. The second part was the hardest, we had to write a response to a mock refferal, the main idea of which was to check our literacy and presentation and finally we had some 'are you in favour of/against the follwing statement' discussions, one of the people in my last group was a bit of a tosser, trying to make an impression, talking over people and acting like he knew it all when he obviously didn't, but apart form that it went well. I'll find out in the next week if I've got a formal interview or not.

Last Session

Wed, 09 Jun 2004 13:56:03 GMT

I've reached the end of my Introductory course, I just have to give my presentation tonight and hand in my - nearly finished - coursework by the 29th.

I also handed in an application for a key worker position of either 17 or 37 hours today.