News
Our weekly Sexual Health Community Drop in is back in action for the new term!!
Young people can come down to Skillz every Tuesday between 3pm and 4pm and drop in with no appointment, to access Sexual Health services such as:
• C:Card registration and pick up (free condoms etc)
• Pregnancy Testing
• C:SWAP (Chlamydia testing)
• Information, advice, support and signposting to other agencies in Leeds.
We are really pleased to be able to offer this service to young people that don't attend Skillz, as well as those that do!!
For more information give Lucy a ring on 0113 2635988
We were really pleased to host the Careers Fair today 10am - 1pm @ Skillz HQ.
The day was organised by Nick from Connexions - BARCA Leeds.
There was a great turn out of providers such as Leeds Youth Offending Service, Connexions, Leeds College of Building, JHP Training, Leeds City College, Zenos, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, The Army, Yorkshire College of Beauty, The Real Project and Leeds Learning Links, and ACHE.
Young people came from across West Leeds and accessed information, advice and guidance on their post 16 options along with support on applications for college, jobs and apprenticeships. There was also C:Card and Sexual Health Services available and Drugs and Alcohol awareness activities.
Young People were able to discuss their options with providers, ask questions and take away information for their future.
It was a great turn out and we look forward to being involved again in the future!
Check out our album on facebook for more photos! www.facebook.com/skillzeducation
Young People and staff from Skillz made the trip over to York as a reward for all the young people's hard work this term. We started out with a trip to the Dungeon, travelling back in time to witness medieval torture and many more gruesome sights, sounds and smells!
Then the troops went for some lunch and took a stroll ...round York and the Minster enjoying the lovely sunshine!
A great day was had by all!
Recycled chic!!
Added on
Thursday 15 July (at 13:55PM)
During the last few weeks, Skillz Fashion Designers have been creating some amazing pieces out of Recycled materials. This is a wedding dress project from carrier bags and different types of plastic. Love the little bag of confetti, it all looks amazing!!
Check out our facebook album @ Skillz 15.07.10 http://bit.ly/bLakIs for more great pictures of what the young people have been up to today!
LIFE ON A BATTLEFIELD
The smell of sweat and carcass on distant land,
A thirteen pound rifle upon my hand.
I hear screams and groaning from far far away,
I hope I make it home one day.
My friends are gone but I am still here,
I am living my life in aggravated fear.
The pain inside me hurts so much,
Compared to the outside just bruised and cuts.
The air force whistling through the wind,
I've killed lots of people for I have sinned.
My life is bad it can't get any worse,
Unless I was seen by my family in the back of a Hurst.
I don't own my life I made a deal,
I wish I was dreaming but it's just too real.
When day becomes dawn and things seem silent,
That's when the enemy really turn violent.
By Eric
FIGHT FOR YOUR COUNTRY
"Fight for your country", that's what they said.
I am still breathing but they are all dead.
Groaning and moaning, that's what I hear.
Rain and freezing winds, numb.
The enemy was far away in the distance.
The faceless enemy.
Grit between his fingers.
Bringing back the memories.
Sweat ran down my face, my mouth is dry.
Rotting maggots urine and faeces.
By Luke
Check out our latest newsletter for info on what we have been up to!!
http://skillzeducation.co.uk/newsletters/issues/2/index.html
We harvested some wonderful potatoes this morning and transferred some new seedlings into the vacated planter. Our broad beans are also coming along great!! Check out our facebook for all the pictures!! www.facebook.com/skillzeducation
At Skillz we are really pleased that two young people that have attended during year 11, have secured places at college in September, on the courses of their choice.
Skillz staff, along with Connexions workers have supported young people with their application forms, assessments and interviews at college and we are really pleased that all the young people's hard work has paid off and they are going on to new and exciting things when they leave Skillz!
Check out their successes on the Education Leeds Website - http://bit.ly/da9dM9 (Just click on the Skillz Education success stories)
As well as these successes, some more year 11 young people that have attended Skillz are also going on to work or further training, as of July.
Well done guys!! Great work!!
Our very own founders and family raced for life at Temple Newsam this weekend, for Cancer Research a charity very close to their hearts and rasied an impressive £1,000!!
There was a great turn out on the day and the weather stayed fine for the runners.
Well done ladies!!!
Having a baby is a life changing experience for many women and for ex-probation officer, Gemma Stow, it led to the creation of her new business. Just over a year ago Gemma launched Skillz Education, an alternative education centre offering training opportunities to young people. Gemma said: “As a probation officer many of the people I met had left school without any qualifications and turned to crime as they couldn’t find employment that gave them enough money to
support themselves or their families.”
Gemma offers accredited courses in construction, fashion, horticulture and personal and social health education. She has been helped to get her business off the ground through the West Leeds Enterprise Centre (WLEC), by Sharing the Success which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The centre has given her access to business advice, training and use of its facilities to get things moving. Gemma added: “It’s been a real advantage having a business mentor at the WLEC for support throughout the process. “I really enjoy running my own business and urge anyone out there who has a passion or idea to turn it into their own enterprise.”
She currently has two fulltime employees, Lucy Tomlin and John Guthrie, and two part-time teachers working with schools.
For more information visit www.skillzeducation.co.uk or www.sharingthesuccess.co.uk.
As featured in About Leeds - Summer 2010 edition.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/About_Leeds/News.aspx
