One way to start a career in social care

Birmingham & Solihull Crossroads (Caring for Carers) is a local charity that supports informal carers and the people they support living within Birmingham and Solihull.

They are looking to recruit carer support workers who are committed to providing a quality service, and are looking for people who want to help and empower people and believe they can make a difference. The only qualification required is an eagerness and commitment to provide quality care to service users. Full training will be given to successful candidates and the opportunity to progress in a career in care.

They are hosting a recruitment event on 28 April 2012 for anyone interested in working for the organisation. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about Birmingham & Solihull Crossroads and the opportunities that are available. You will also have the chance to speak to existing members of staff to find out what working for Birmingham & Solihull Crossroads is really like.

If you would like to book a place, or find out more, please contact Emma Ashton on 0121 622 0573.

Interested in a career in documentary filmmaking?

Are you aged 18-25 and interested in documentary filmmaking? Working in partnership with The Grierson Trust, First Light is offering free places on a new Second Light training Lab which will concentrate on documentary filmmaking. (First Light work with young people from a variety of backgrounds, developing skills in media production, and are based in Birmingham.)

This is a great opportunity for new entrants, aged 18-25, to work with experienced professionals to begin a career in documentary production.

The Lab will be held in Birmingham for 3 consecutive days (week beginning 28 May 2012) and participants will then attend Sheffield Doc Fest as part of their training and development.

Reasonable travel expenses will be provided to the workshops in Birmingham, as well as lunch. Travel to, and accommodation at the festival will also be covered.

There’s more information here on the First Light website which includes the downloadable application form.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, 26 April 2012

Do you have A Grand Idea for a business? Win £1000!

Win £1000 to start your own business — The Grand Idea is a competition open to all 16-19 year olds in Birmingham, run by Ideas2Business. They will want to know what your grand idea is, who your customers will be, and what it is about YOU that can make this business a success. The WINNER will receive £1000 to start up their business, plus all sorts of help and support from Ideas2Business.

For more information, contact Ideas4Business on 0121 224 7900. Entries are to be submitted by video message at www.ideas2business.co.uk/grandidea or by email to grandidea@ideas2business.co.uk

CLOSING DATE: 31 March 2012

Killer bracelet alert

It might sound like a hoax viral, but we’re passing this information on in case any of you or your families might be affected...

An alert that has been issued by various authorities with regards to the “Jequirity bracelet” which you may have bought or been given. They have been on sale at various retail outlets across the UK, including the Eden Project in Cornwall. Information has been issued from those retailers urging customers to return the red and black bracelets made from the Jequirity bean. See what the Eden Project have said here.
The Jequirity bean bracelet is made from the deadly seed of the plant abrus precatorious. It contains the toxin abrin that if swallowed, has the potential to kill in doses of just 3 micrograms. Abrin is chemically similar to ricin, a chemical warfare agent. People who have bought, or are in possession of the bracelets, are being urged to bag them, then wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes.
Anyone who has one these bracelets should double bag it, seal the bag and hand it in to your local police station where they will arrange safe disposal.

Young people and employment — did you know...

...that young people can be legally employed, on a part-time basis, from the age of 13? BUT the employer must apply to the local authority for a work permit?
...that children who take part in public performances must be issued with an entertainment licence, issued by the local council? [This doesn’t include school productions.]

Find out more from Birmingham’s Child Employment Team on 0121 303 8900 or email EWSHelpHO@birmingham.gov.uk

National Network for Child Employment & Entertainment www.nncee.org.uk

National Child Employment Fortnight 2012: 26 March – 6 April

Connexions Birmingham helps get vulnerable young people “Back on track” – with royal results...

Connexions Personal Advisers working with Birmingham’s Youth Offending Teams have helped young people get places on a new “Back on track” programme recently launched by Midland Heart. The programme is being highlighted at an event on 19 March with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne present.

“Back on track” aims to help young people who are most at risk of “falling into the gaps”, by offering a pre-apprenticeship programme to get young people up to the skill level needed for a National Vocational Qualification – and then on into a range of apprenticeships.

Connexions Birmingham is one of the the organisations working with Midland Heart to identify suitable young people, and we have supported them through the process – with 7 of “our” young people now successfully on the programme, a further 3 on reserve for when the next project starts in April, and 4 young people now on an apprenticeship.

Skills West Midlands — the region’s biggest hands-on careers and skills event

Are you 15-24? Do you know... what skills you need? what career you want? what training is out there?
Skills West Midlands lets you meet employers, apprenticeship training providers, colleges and universities.There’ll be hands-on careers and skills demonstrations with have-a-go demo areas.
Come along to New Bingley Hall, Birmingham, on

• Wednesday 21 March 9.30am-3pm and 5pm-7pm (evening opening so that families can come too)
• Thursday 22 March 9.30am-3pm

You can visit – free – at any time during the opening hours. Find out more and book online at www.skillswestmidlands.co.uk
New Bingley Hall is at 1 Hockley Circus, Birmingham B18 5BE