Talk Back
Talkback was a Care Sector Alliance Cumbria sponsored project that ran in West Cumbria during Spring 06. It was designed to train older peer volunteers to work with service users in order to evaluate the services they receive. The evaluation report is available to read and can be accessed through the link below.
Since the initial pilot we have supported the training of two more groups of older adults as peer volunteers and there are now three groups operating across the County (West, North & South).
David Day, their Co-ordinator at Age Concern North West Cumbria, will be pleased to discuss potential research projects. He can be contacted on 01945 66669 or at research@ageconcern-nwc.org.uk
Move On CAREfully in Cumbria
CSAC has led a project to enhance the literacy and communication skills of Cumbria's social care staff.
Working in partnership with employers and other key players such as Move On and the Adult Education Service, we have produced and piloted learning materials contextualised for care. These proved so successful that after a few tweaks, the programmes were made available to all Cumbria care providers. Two free 30 hour courses have been produced.
They are:
- Effective Communication Skills for Working in Care
- Effective Communication and Confidence for Care NVQ's.
Employers then asked us to produce a programme suitable for migrant care workers. Once again, working in partnership with Employers, Move On and the Adult Education Service we created a 60 hour programme "Effective Communication and Language Skills for Working in Care" for English Speakers of Other Languages.
These programmes are cited as examples of good practice within the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, "English Language at Work" booklet 2007 and the National Report produced by Unison, "Essential Skills for 21st Century Health and Social Care" 2006. Additionally, Skills for Care and Move on promote them nationally.
A DVD capturing feedback from some of the pilot participants was produced in late 2007. This shows how the individuals have progressed and the impact they are making within their organisations.
For more information on the programmes please contact Lesley Gill at lesley.gill@cumbriacc.gov.uk or telephone 01539 713327.
Regional Training Award
The MOVE ON CAREfully literacy and communication project was a Regional Training Award Winner at the National Training Awards 2008. Partners from the steering group were awarded trophies from Colin Jackson below.
Independent Evaluation Reports
Independent Evaluation Reports from Unison and Lancaster University can be viewed below: