New: Connexions Outreach across the south of Birmingham

We have looked at new ways to make sure that young people who we are working with across the south of Birmingham can get access to the Connexions service after we had to close the Northfield and Kings Heath Connexions Centres.

The Connexions South Outreach service starts on Monday 18 June 2012 and is based in a range of places, alongside various other existing services.

• The Factory (Longbridge)
• Frankley Youth Centre (Frankley)
• Maypole Youth Centre (Druids Heath)
• Quinborne Community Centre (Quinton)
• 641 Youth House (Selly Oak)
• The Square Club (Weoley Castle)

The Connexions South Outreach page on our website has opening times, full addresses and interactive maps for each of these new services.

What you thought about the future of Connexions - 2012

In early 2012, Connexions Birmingham ran a major consultation exercise to find out what you thought about our proposals for the future of the Connexions service. We had to make these proposals because of changes to the law about careers guidance, and because Birmingham City Council needs to save money. We had views from young people, parents, and schools and colleges. We have a summary of the proposals and what you told us about how you felt about them on our website.
As well as asking what you thought about the proposals, we asked how satisfied you — young people, parents and schools — were with the Connexions Birmingham service. It was great to see that, overall, 88.4% of people joining in the consultation were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” and the figure for just young people rises to 91.3%.

National Careers Service launched today

The new National Careers Service was launched on 5 April 2012 — if you’re aged between 13 and 19, you get the website at nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk and the phone helpline 0800 100 900, plus careers advisers via webchat and email. Remember that Connexions Birmingham is now becoming a service which offers careers information advice and guidance to targetted groups of young people who might need extra support. We will only be offering “universal” careers information advice and guidance to wider groups of young people if your school/college is buying that service from us. You’ll be able to find out more about these changes soon on our website.

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.