Newsletter December 2013

Lapwing

Newsletter D December 2013

Round Up 2 Quiz Night 4 Birdswing 6 Meet Bar 7 Film Making 9 Communication Group 11 What’s On 12

Students and staff at Chantry Walled Garden building a shelter from bamboo

Newsletter Editor: Wendy Quantrill Lapwing HQ: 01473 604809

wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk www.lapwingsuffolk.org.uk

Lapwing Newsletter

Chief Exec Sue’s round-up A new academic year Wow! What a busy organisation Lapwing is! As you will see from reading this newsletter there are changes and developments in all areas of our organisation. We are a very diverse and inclusive community. We are passionate about the development of the whole person, whether student, staff, trustee or volunteer.

Continuity is vital to the work of Lapwing. We are delighted that Linda Stretch is going to continue as an Associate of Lapwing providing stability at the strategic level working with the trustees and management teams. Likewise we are delighted to hear news from past students such as Connor Davies who left Lapwing in July to study mechanics at West Suffolk College and has achieved 100% attendance at the end of his first term.

Community involvement is important to the work of Lapwing. As you will see we work with a wide range of partner community organisations to provide placements for our students. We are grateful to local business organisations for their support with fundraising events. We always welcome this support and would be delighted to support local businesses by promoting the impact of their contribution to Lapwing.

Creativity is at the heart of Lapwing educational programmes. Each student follows their own individual bespoke programme, which is designed to enable each individual to work towards their aspirations and dreams. Reaching for dreams can be a tricky experience of highs and lows.

Lapwing staff work creatively to support students through the various stages of each individual programme, making changes along the way as necessary. Always thinking outside the box to find new ways so that each student will experience success.

Lapwing is keen to grow and develop so that we can increase the number and range of young people who can benefit from Lapwing bespoke programmes.

The future for Lapwing is bright!

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Linda Stretch Linda is sadly standing down as a Lapwing Trustee. We wanted to capture her reflections on her time with Lapwing and discover her plans for the future.

What made you want to become a trustee?

I wanted the opportunity to become even more involved in Lapwing, an organisation I had come to feel part of and emotionally attached to. I also wanted to become involved in supporting the activity of a Charity in my regional community (not a national charity).

Becoming a Lapwing trustee would allow me to work with an organisation doing something close to my heart – ie working with marginalised young people and supporting them in achieving their potential and continue to use my HR and board level experience outside of the commercial environment.

What aspects of the organisation have you been responsible for?

I have been part of a team of Trustees who are responsible for making sure the charity is run well, manages its funds well and carries out the activities it was set up to do and in line with the laws and rules set up by the Government and by the Charity Commission.

I have also used my skills and experience to contribute to the development of the organisation’s structure, creation of new posts, job descriptions, strategic plan, governing documents, staff handbook, Lapwing Policies and Procedures, training programmes, performance management system, pay scales, fundraising activities etc.

What have you learned from your time as a Lapwing trustee?

I’ve learned how a charity is run, more about our education system, insight into the complexities of funding and have a greater appreciation about the difficulties facing some young people in our region. On a personal level it has been interesting to work in a ‘not for profit’ environment after a career in the private sector. To see students do extraordinary things and dedicated staff facilitating and supporting them is wonderful and heartwarming in a I am also hoping that without the forcynical and corrupt world. mal responsibilities of the role of a Trustee and the time that requires I What have you personally gained might, if any opportunity arises, be of from your time as a Lapwing trustee? use at the ‘sharp end’ with the students The opportunity to make a positive and their learning. contribution to society (ie voluntary role not a commercial contract ‘work in What do you do when you’re not exchange for pay’). working with Lapwing?

A couple of years ago I made the deciMy differing perspective on issues facsion to change my working life quite ing the organisation (commercial) can considerably and have gradually rebe useful to the organisation and this linquished my HR contracts in order gives me personal satisfaction. Givto devote as much time as possible to ing this added value is very satisfying delivering music therapy workshops to when it leads to a positive outcome. It’s people in residential care. I work with great to be part of an organisation you groups of residents, many of whom strongly believe in. It’s great to see the have dementia, using the positive and results in action. powerful effects that music and sound frequencies have on wellbeing. I comWould you recommend others to bebine various activities with beautiful come trustees? If so, why? pieces of music that help to synchroYes, if they have the time and comnise the hemispheres of the brain, lift mitment as it can be very rewarding, the mood and increase concentration. thought provoking, challenging.

Will you stay associated with Lapwing and if so how?

Yes, I will become Lapwing’s first ‘Associate Member’. It was very difficult to make the decision to stand down as a Trustee and I cannot imagine not being involved with Lapwing.

I will continue to mentor the senior management of Lapwing, offering my experience and skills whenever they are appropriate.

I love gardening, theatre and concerts and have a busy family life with my husband, three step-children (albeit they are grown-up; twins of 22 and one of 17- they continue to be very demanding!!!) and our rather old black Labrador, Milo.

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Quiz and Bowling Night

Our support from Ryan Insurance has continued this term with very well supported quiz and bowling nights - both organised by Ryan Insurance for the benefit of Lapwing and Headway.

The Ryan Insurance bowling night was hugely successful and great fun, raising £113 for us. Past and present students came along to join in the fun, with Ryan Insurance staff mingling with Lapwing staff. There were prizes at the end for best bowlers, best newcomers and best organiser! A huge thanks to Ryan Insurance for continuing to support us. No prize for the Lapwing employee who very nearly went home still wearing her bowling shoes.

Lapwing team ‘Oddments’ managed a place in the ‘tin foil representation’ round.

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The quiz proved to be just as innovative as the last one in the spring, with a ‘feel the contents of the socks on the washing line’ game and a ‘guess the cartoon dog’ round. £310 was raised between the quiz and a cake sale at Ryan Insurance’s offices and a great time was had by all!

Lapwing Newsletter

Fundraising Great news!

Little Waitrose in Ipswich (Cornhill) supported Lapwing in their green coin charity scheme for the month of November. We continue to approach local companies to invite them to fundraise for us or support us in other ways. If you know of a company wishing to support a Suffolk-based charity please get in touch.

Support from local firm Insurance company Call Connection continue to support us with their dress down days and we truly appreciate their efforts. See picture below of a Call Connection fundraiser.

Easyfundraising When you are January sales shopping please go via Easyfundraising as this raises money for us.

Simply visit this page then start your shopping. www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lapwingsuffolk

Hello! My name is Freyja and I’ll soon be going home with Programme Coordinator Julian. I’m a Weimaraner and this is me at two weeks old and with my brothers and sisters.

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Birdswing Thanks to an Awards for All grant of £9,553 from the Big Lottery Fund the Birdswing project run by the Goldfinch Foundation has been helping Lapwing students with their communications.

This 10 week long project at Brockford Barns aims to inspire and motivate students’ interest in the natural acoustic world and help develop confidence, functional and practical skills.

The project is the brainchild of Rosie Johnston, from the Goldfinch Foundation, Suffolkbased opera composer and ornithologist Peter Cowdrey and Pam Harling-Challis, a Suffolk-based digital artist, choreographer and educator.

They are working with Lapwing Suffolk and staff at Brockford Barn to deliver this project.

Our Lapwing students have been recording bird calls, slowing them down on special equipment and then re-creating the sounds themselves.

The project has been a great success and we are grateful to everyone involved.

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Hoodies If we get enough interest we’ll order some lovely branded Lapwing hoodies - probably in black. We do need to know that there is the demand first though. Please email Wendy Quantrill at wquantrill@lapwingsuffolk.co.uk if you think you might like one.

Lapwing Newsletter

Meet Programme Manager Bar What has surprised you most about working for Lapwing?

How much it has grown in the 7 years I have worked for Lapwing. When I started I think we had around 15 students, now we have almost 4 times that.

Your best and worst times at Lapwing The worst/scariest thing would probably be driving the lorry when we had to move out of Belstead School, thinking it was just going to be a van! All worked out in the end, just another challenge Sue decided to throw my way!

I feel privileged to be part of such a committed team who strive to do the best for the young people we work with.

What do you wish other people knew about Lapwing?

How challenging it is for staff working in the field with such a wide range of young people, basically how flexible, adaptable and skilled they are! If it wasn’t for them we would not see the success stories we do.

What might students and colleagues be surprised to know about you?

I am half way through a Masters degree in Childhood and Youth Studies. You would be amazed at how vast this topic is, so many interesting areas to explore.

Bar is responsible for the bespoke programmes of all our students.

When you’re not working at Lapwing what do you get up to?

I have a 15 month old daughter who keeps me busy with swimming, rides on her trike, the park and exploring new activities like train rides. And lots of study!

What was the last book you read?

Before starting reading for my course for this year I read The Diary of Ann Frank.

What was your first job?

I worked in local newsagents from when I was 13.

What lessons did you learn?

Hmm, I guess it gave me a work ethic.

How do you manage work pressure?

At work, I just keep smiling! When away from work, various ways, I value the time I spend with my family, in particular my daughter. But I also love to get down the gym.

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Read all about it Student Selina Green has started a great blog with Noise Solution you can see her reflecting on her first session on her blog. http://selinasnoisesolutionblog.tumblr.com/ Craig Battle is also doing great things at Noise Solution and has some inspiring videos on his blog. http://craigbattlensblog.tumblr.com/ Filmmakers Jesse and Luke also have blogs highlighting their progress http://jessekaneday.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://lukejbrooks. blogspot.co.uk/

Congratulations Student Tom Low has become a father with the safe delivery of Evie Jennifer Low weighing 6lb 7oz. We wish the family all the best with their new arrival.

Jake Roberts New student Jake Roberts is making fab things with tutor Bridget.

He made this fantastic Lapwing banner that we’re proudly displaying in reception (see photo left), and yesterday he handcrafted a lovely bag. He is also customising clothes and accessories and may soon be taking orders. Well done Jake.

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Film making Lapwing’s budding filmmakers have had a superb and varied first term.

Students Jesse Day and Luke Brooks have finally met up and are working on a film together.

They’ve been operating the camera to record a timelapse video of clouds moving by.

Jesse dressed up for a role in Luke’s film, for which Luke has been at West Stowe Anglo Saxon village scouting the location for his next film.

We look forward to seeing the finished films!

An Elfling’s Tale

These stills are from the Stopmotion animation created by students Luke Brooks & Paige Clifford featuring the home crafted Elves that Paige produces for her business The House of Elves.

The film can be watched on our YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/lapwingsuffolk

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Music goes global Selina Green is making fantastic progress with her music technology session. She is a brilliant drummer and loves all sorts of music. When she first went to Punch Recording Studios she was shown the basics of cutting her own music CD using a programme called ‘Reaper’. This is all done using a laptop.

First she put a beat and then added all sorts of sounds and rhythms until she had a complete track. This track was put on a site called Soundcloud l which is a site that anyone can look on, listen to other people’s music and put their own on it.

We were astonished to find that her track has gone quite literally global!

She has had people from Russia, Greece, Australia, India, America and Brazil listening to her track. As well as those in the UK of course. There are six people that ‘love’ it and one person in Cincinnati who has left a comment.

This site is for real music people and to find that there are so many listening to her track is amazing. Well done Selina!

A new start Thomas Hamer started with Lapwing in September. Thomas also moved into a new home and had been very isolated for around six months. His Mum was keen for Thomas to start going out again and engaging in activities. He has started attending Beyond the Wall and Downham Cottage Care Farm.

Thomas has settled very well in these new environments and appears to have had a whole new world open up for him. We are really looking forward to seeing Thomas become more confident and achieving over the next few years with Lapwing.

Chantry boost A big thank you to Homebase in Ipswich for donating paints and wallpaper to our Chantry Park project. Students used them for arts and crafts to make some beautiful things to sell at the Christmas Fayre which took place on 5 December.

The Fayre featured homemade mince pies and biscuits, hanging baskets, winter pansies and plants, Christmas wreaths, bird boxes and hedgehog homes all made or planted by our students.

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Communication Group Jacqui Bannister The Communication Group is a bespoke group of six students - Katie Brett, Kirsty Ward, Rowland Robbins, Damien Smith, Robert Mayne and Jamie Riley - which aims to develop their communication skills (embedding ICT where possible).

The session runs at Castle Hill Community Centre.

Sessions consists of a mixture of individual target-focused work and group-based activities.

The use of differientiated resources linked to the learner’s level of ability along with attention, praise and encouragement helps to improve their confidence and self-esteem.

Lessons are inclusive. Resources, teaching methods and tasks are multi-sensory and differentiated.

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Lapwing Newsletter

Term Dates Spring Term

Monday 6th January 2014 – Friday 4th April 2014 Non Student Day Monday 6th January 2014 Half Term Monday 17th February 2014 – Friday 21st February 2014 Easter Holiday Monday 7th April 2014 – Monday 21st April 2014

Summer Term

Lapwing Volunteer Hannah Berresford’s What’s On this Spring...

Derren Brown - Infamous 1 March 2014 Ipswich Regent

“…a thrilling evening in which Brown offers us the gorgeous idea that we can take control of our own lives while also ensuring that we remain putty in his hands.”

The Times

Tuesday 22nd April 2014 – Wednesday 23rd July 2014 Non Student Day Thursday 22nd May 2014 Half term Monday 26th May 2014 – Friday 30th May 2014 Summer Holiday Thursday 24th July 2014 – TBC

The Round Table Ball

One month’s notice of any additional staff training days will be given.

Woofbridge: The Bark in the Park!

This Lapwing Suffolk newsletter is kindly sponsored by Ryan Insurance Group.

Call 01473 343434 or visit the website to see if Ryan Insurance could provide insurance for your family or business. www.ryan-group.co.uk

1 March 2014 University Campus Suffolk Atrium

This Ball celebrates 50 years of the Ipswich Round Table and features Frank Sinatra tribute singer as guests arrive, a five course meal, and dancing to live band ‘The Gifted’.

29 March 2014, 10am to 5pm Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge

Everything for dogs! Groom your greyhounds, lather up your labradors, shampoo your shih tzus and polish your poodles. It’s time to give man’s best friend his or her time to shine.

The Framlingham Country Show

12 and 13 April Framlingham College, IP13 9EY

This year’s festival is a truly homespun celebration and invites the people of Suffolk and beyond to indulge in all things locally sourced and produced.

www.lapwingsuffolk.co.uk

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