If you are 16-25, unemployed and interested in a career in retail, join this FREE training programme where you can:

Gain in-depth training in the Retail industry by completing work experience with Marks and Spencer 

Learn about stock rotation and control, good customer service and selling skills

Improve your teamwork and communication skills and boost your confidence, CV and interviews skills at the same time

Receive up to six months support after the programme to help you find a job

Work experience placements at Birmingham City Centre, Harborne & Sutton Coldfield stores.

Interested?

Call: 0121 772 9230 or

Text ‘M&S’ to: 07534556859

Email: Nicole.Bannister@princes-trust.org.uk

Get into Retail information and interview days will be held in May 2015.

Taster/Selection day for programme will be held 2nd or 3rd June 2015 (TBC).

The programme will run for 4 weeks from Monday 8th June – Friday 3rd July 2015.

Come along to St Barnabas Church, Erdington on Friday 24th April 12pm-2pm to find out more about local social enterprises.

This event is part of the Birmingham City Drive 2015, which is a week of events that aim to raise awareness of the fantastic work social enterprises are doing and the impact they are having every day on society and the environment in Birmingham.

We want to encourage more people to:

– Start a social enterprise
– Buy from social enterprises
– Work for a social enterprise
– Volunteer for a social enterprise
– Invest in a social enterprise

Join us to celebrate the launch of the North Birmingham Social Enterprise Network – a new group that aims to unite all North Birmingham-based social enterprises.

This event will give you an unique opportunity to meet North Birmingham-based social enterprises and find out how you can collaborate.

Sarah Crawley (CEO at iSE CIC) is leading the initiative following the success of the Digbeth Social Enterprise Quarter, which was launched in 2013. As a network, we host regular network events, to share ideas, information and encourage to do business with one another.

For more information please go here http://digbethsocentquarter.co.uk

Castle Vale Neighbourhood Partnership Board have been chosen as a book ‘giver’ as part of World Book Night – Thursday 23rd April 2015.

We have copies of Street Cat Bob and Skellig available to give away to young people in Castle Vale.

Street Cat Bob

The story of the clever tom cat Bob, homeless James and the friendship that blossomed between the two is heart warming, uplifting and full of hope. This phenomenally popular tale has been adapted to be part of the brilliant Quick Reads series and we hope it’ll be loved in prisons and homeless shelters.

We have 35 copies available to give away

Skellig

Skellig is a truly magical piece of storytelling and a book loved by young and old alike. It’s something like a modern fairy tale celebrating the redemptive power of love and the imagination, strange and beautiful friendships and the natural world. Great for introducing young adults to the pleasure and power of reading.

We have 18 copies available to give away

If you would like a copy, please contact Carla Belle on 0121 748 8189 or carlab@cvcha.org.uk.

Get in quick as copies will be given away First Come First Served.

FREE training available for Castle Vale resident’s @Castle Vale Community Campus

BMetC are offering FREE training @ Castle Vale Community Campus, starting at the end of April.

Learning a new skill is exciting and enjoyable. It makes us all feel more confident and brings a sense of accomplishment. If you’re interested in an introduction to new skills or hanker after a new interest, we offer a mixture of day and evening courses at local community campuses – all of which are FREE!

Whatever your age, learning a new skill, meeting new people and improving your prospects is a learning curve which could add something extra to your life.

Introduction to Volunteering and teamwork

Start date: 27th April

Day: Mondays

Time: 10am-12pm

This course is suitable for learners who are considering or already working as a volunteer and will provide learners with an insight into the role and awareness of personal standards required of them whilst volunteering. For those with experience of volunteering the course will enhance both their knowledge and skills. Progression is onto Level 2 Award in Volunteering and Teamwork.

Introduction to Nail Art

Start date: 28^th April

Day: Tuesdays

Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm

To find out more call BMetC on- 0121 362 1174

Or check their website-http://www.bmetc.ac.uk

• Want a job?
• FREE Travel
• FREE Food vouchers
• FREE Equipment
• PLUS £100 cash bonus when you finish!*

We offer a range of subject areas over a 12 week period which includes two days per week at college and three days per week at work. If you are 16-24 years old, currently out of work and have level 1 qualifications or GCSEs we can help you find a high quality work placement in a real workplace.

You can Get Into –

• Gain new qualifications
• Get skills needed for work
• Improve your confidence
• Learn how to apply for jobs and write a CV

• Allows you to build vital experience with employers
• Puts you in a better position for an apprenticeship
• Boosts your long term career prospects by improving your English and maths
• Gives you an employer reference to take to a new employer or an interview for a job at the end of the 12 week programme

Construction Traineeships are even supported by big companies like British Gas, Jaguar Land Rover and Orange as well as smaller local companies.

If you’d like to find out more about how we’re supporting young people to develop their skills for traineeships, apprenticeships and employment, contact the traineeship team on 0845 155 0101 or email us at training@bmetc.ac.uk.

*You will receive your £100 bonus at the end of the 12 week programme, based on 95% attendance and a satisfactory reference from your work place employer.

FREE TRAINING…….

Castle Vale Tenants & Residents Alliance is pleased to offer………

Accredited CIEH Level 2 Food Safety in Catering – this one day training course is available to anyone who is interested!

This course is an essential requirement for anyone volunteering or working where food and drink is prepared for others and is also a useful qualification for anyone thinking about working in the Social Care & Hospitality sectors. The certificate is valid for three years and the training is free – you just need to register your interest – and then turn up on the day.

We aim to start at 9.00 a.m. and the course should finish no later than 4.30 p.m.  on:

Wednesday 22^nd April 2015

To be held at Spitfire House (1^st Floor), 10 High Street, Castle Vale, Birmingham, B35 7PR.

Drinks machines available for hot and cold drinks and snacks

Please bring you own lunch or access local shops

To book your place, please contact Margaret Dunsford on T/0121 747 5932 or email margaretdunsford@castlevale.org.uk

#ThisBrumGirlCanCVZumbaSwim

On Wednesday 25^th March 2015 the Castle Pool Community Partnership will be hosting a Zumba-Swim session at Castle Pool between 4.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.

This is a FREE LADIES ONLY session with lovely Chrissy taking the lead.

We might do some Swim, we might do some Zumba – or we might do some of both.  Whatever we do, we are sure we will have a good giggle.

This activity is part of the This Brum Girl Can initiative which has been taking place across the city over the past couple of weeks.

No need to register – just come along with your costume and your shorts and be prepared to ENJOY.

The Castle Pool will be taking part in the national Community Clean Up Campaign this Saturday.

The Castle Pool User Group invites you to join them to clear up the local area at

1.30pm at the Castle Pool on Farnborough Rd, B35 on Saturday 21st March 2015

Equipment will be provided. Please dress appropriately.

Please come along to the launch of the Full Circle Volunteer Hub this Friday 20^th March 2015 between 10am and 1pm.

Castle Vale TRA runs Full Circle Volunteer Hub funded by the Castle Vale Endowment Trust Fund. The TRA are pleased to announce that in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC) they are opening a volunteer hub at the Tyburn Community Library for people living and working in the North side of Birmingham giving on line access to 100’s of volunteer placements with support to access them as required.

Thinking about volunteering?

A one stop shop to access 100’s of volunteering opportunities with as much or as little support as you want. Learn about current training opportunities for volunteers.  Simply register on the Hub, see what is on offer and get volunteering!

If you need new volunteers for your organisation?

Then come along to see how you can get your opportunity promoted across Birmingham and discuss any other support you need to keep your existing volunteers happy..

The Full Circle Volunteer Hub will be open every Friday from 10 to 1pm (except Bank Holidays) from 20th March 2015.