Organisational Developments:
Earlier this week, the Directors decided to give notice on the supporting people contract for Wood Road. One of the Directors and contract manager, Jane Williams, said ‘it with considerable regret that we have come to this decision, as we have had many young people who have benefitted from the services at Wood Road. Unfortunately, however the service was no longer viable.’ The building is now for sale.
Twenty Four-Seven are hoping to be forming a partnership in the New Year with a fostering agency. This will provide an exciting new placement opportunity for local authorities when considering parenting assessments as it will supplement the services provided at Gawber Road Residential Family Centre.
Please contact Jane Williams on twenty4seven@btopenworld.com for more details.
Staff member of the Year:
It will soon be that time of year when Twenty Four-Seven award one of the team with Staff Member of the Year. Nominations have been of a very high quality this year and the award will be presented at the Christmas Celebrations which will take place later this month at Ardsley House.
Three-Peak Challenge:
One of our Directors, Jane Williams, plans to complete the Three Peaks challenge next year in support of the charity, www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk. Jane will be using the just giving website for sponsorships next year. Jane has been training for the challenge by completing sections of the Coast to Coast walk.
Twenty Four-Seven sponsor a nine year old girl from Pakistan called Bibi through www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk.
Christmas Card:
Twenty Four-Seven’s Christmas cards have a particularly personal touch this year. A member of staff adapted the organisation’s logo to represent the nativity scene and won themselves a prize for the best design.
Recent feedback from parents at Gawber Road:
‘Thank you for being open and honest making us feel at ease and confident around staff. We found the assessment very helpful and more involvement with [name of local authority] should take place for others to have an outside opinion and a chance’. Feedback from parents who completed a community parenting assessment.
‘During key work with JS yesterday, she shared that she 'learned loads' at Twentyfourseven and although she initially didn't want to come there she found the experience very valuable.Just thought I'd share this positive feedback!’ (Worker from YWCA)
Feedback from an ex-Social Work Student:
“I completed my third year placement as a social work student with Twenty Four-Seven in 2008; over two years later I still count my time there as both invaluable and essential in equipping me with the skills needed to go on and to work with parents, young people and children.
Twenty Four-Seven offers a wide range of learning experiences for students at all levels; through regular supervision and ongoing support I was able to develop and evidence not only the theoretical skills needed to pass the course but also the importance of team work, effective communication and a passion for good social work practice.
"I would highly recommend Twenty Four-Seven and believe they are an establishment that are keen to support the development of social work students, I whole heartedly believe I would not be where I am today if it was not for the dedication and passion I observed during my time there”.
Ashleigh (Social Worker in Gateshead)
Staff satisfaction survey:
Earlier this year, staff completed a job satisfaction survey which was designed to provide staff with the opportunity to tell managers how they feel about working at 24-7. Staff were given the opportunity to evaluate both their job and the company as a place to work in a range of areas and to provide honest opinions so that a better workplace can be built. These are some of the comments made in response to the question ‘What are the best things for you about working at 24-7?’
Comments made:
- Helping Young People to have a better life
- My development
- Making a difference
- Being a positive role model
- Working as part of a strong and trusted team
- Staff morale and helpfulness
- It’s a nice happy place to work
- Everyone is valued
- That you are valued and treated as a human and not just a number like bigger organisations
- Caring about the employees
- Learning opportunities and room for growth
- The support
- The work ethos
- Managers listen to my views
- The challenge
- Enjoying my job
- Management never let the grass grow under their feet and continually look for ways to improve the service and the staff.
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