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1993 St Thomas' Employment Project, STEP -Progress Report 1994 Touchstone Community Enterprise (Chesterfield) 1994 Compassion in the Community 1994 Christmas Appeal -Why Touchstone? 1995 Touchstone -Two Years On -Ken Singleton intrduces himself 1995 Touchstone -Two Years On 1996 Touchstone 1997 Touchstone 1997 Touchstone -Where are we now? 1997 Touchstone -1997 Update 1999 Touchstone 2001 Touchstone 2002 Touchstone 2004 Touchstone 2006 Touchstone 2006 Touchstone -Update 2010 Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery St Thomas' Employment Project, STEP (December 1993 edition of magazine) A Progress Report It seems a long time since Unemployment Sunday (21.2.93) when STEP was launched. This issue of Ploughshare is an ideal opportunity to present an end of year report. THE VISION In March, a group of committed people met and formulated a plan. The vision is to provide services to meet the needs of unemployed people of any status. These services include friendship, counselling, advice, skills education and training, practical and social support and production of goods for sale. All these are to lead to job creation, by setting up a business to employ local people producing goods to meet local community needs. This is to be a long-term project of perhaps ten years or more, matching a long-term need. We felt that a priority target group was the long term unemployed, whose special needs were not wholly met by statutory provision, and who for health, education or other reasons were disadvantaged in the job market. Centrally sited premises are needed to contain fully equipped offices, social areas, counselling rooms. workshops and training facilities. Staffing is to include a full-time paid Project Manager, paid trainers and volunteers. RESEARCH Much research has been undertaken. First, to discover what successful projects have been mounted by other churches. Second, to find the numbers of unemployed in the area. Third, to find and get costings for suitable premises. Fourth, to find funding sources available, mostly from statutory agencies. This seems a short list, but it represents an immense expenditure of time and energy. ACTION Our research revealed many successful church based projects elsewhere in the country. These have given us encouragement and ideas. Perhaps the most surprising result came from St Thomas' own local unemployment survey. This revealed that only four people among the respondents were unemployed, yet we know from our own research there were over 450 unemployed in the parish. This survey also resulted in kind pledges of money enabling two separate and distinct funds to be set up: one a Parish Welfare Fund to be operated by the P.C.C. and a second for S.T.E.P. administration to be run by STEP. More research revealed more than 3,400 unemployed in the Brampton area (May 1993). This seemed too large a number for STEP to cope with alone. Other churches were approached to see if they were prepared to participate in the project. Sufficient interest and support was demonstrated to warrant a change of name to Chesterfield Churches Employment Project - still to be known as STEP. More Churches are being approached, and STEP is giving a presentation to 'Churches Together in Chesterfield' on 3rd December 1993. This is to elicit support to cover the areas of most need in the South-West quadrant of Chesterfield. The Diocesan Officer for Social Responsibility is also more than supportive. PREMISES Preliminary searches have unearthed some suitable premises but we have no funds to pay for them at present. We do have Plot 17 in the West Ward Leisure Gardens which will be the base for APT(Euro) Ltd (an accredited training provider for TEC) to run a Horticultural Training and Community Garden Scheme. We have been offered the use of a portacabin at St Thomas' as the administrative base for the scheme. Volunteers have already cleared the plot. We must acknowledge the enthusiastic support of the committee of the West Ward Leisure Gardens. FUNDING Seeking statutory funding has been frustrating and perplexing. There is a minefield of mandatory conditions which a project must meet in order to be funded. While our projects' vision, with its emphasis on long-term caring for and empowering of the unemployed fills a gap in statutory provision, it has difficulty in wholly meeting the statutory funding requirements. Nevertheless such funding sources are being actively chased as a contribution to our financial requirements. APT (Euro) Ltd, is in the process of constructing, with us. a bid for TEC funding for horticultural training and community gardening on STEP leisure garden, a construction workshop and a city farm, phase one scheduled to start in Spring 1994. Even if this were successful it would not fund the heart of our project, a Project Centre with staff, equipment and facilities, for all unemployed people in the area. APPEAL Brian Ruddock, Sheffield Diocesan Unemployment officer, advised that it was essential for a church project, aiming at individual long-term support, self-esteem and self-empowerment, to be financially and practically independent of statutory funding and constraints. The STEP Management Committee decided to raise its own funds, to set up the Project Centre. The initial target will be £100.000 to be raised as quickly as possible to enable the Project Centre to open at the earliest opportunity. The fund raising drive will be aimed at local churches, industry, commerce, charitable trusts and other organisations concerned with employment in the community. We shall be looking for assistance in kind (training, equipment, premises etc.) as well as finance. Grateful thanks are given to all who have worked so hard to keep the project afloat. John Gant (Chairman) Touchstone Community Enterprise (Chesterfield) (August 1994 edition of magazine) This is the new name for the Chesterfield Churches' Employment Project - also known as STEP - (subject to final confirmation by the Registrar of Companies). The Committee chose this because it is a little more catchy: it signifies our purpose a little better; and it indicates more clearly that it is accessible to all. We shall, however, retain our Christian. origin by having 'sponsored by Chesterfield Churches' on all our documents. By the time of publication we hope to be close to registration as a nonprofit company limited by guarantee with objects which are partly charitable and wholly for community benefit. Because the company will be making charitable provision and providing services for people with a pricing structure which reflects their ability to pay it will need to continue raising funds through normal means for the foreseeable future. However, it is the long term intention to generate as much income through community enterprises as possible, in order to become self-financing overall. It is not possible at this early stage to give a time scale for this. Our objects remain essentially unchanged. As a reminder these are:
We have discussed the needs of unemployed people and existing provision for them over a long period with the other agencies concerned. We believe that our Enterprise will offer the following unique features:
John Gant has withdrawn from the chairmanship and Adrian MarsdenJones as Vice-Chairman. We have a new Chairman, Brian Davies from St Mary's and All Saints; and a new Vice-Chairman, Revd Dr Ian Mitchell, Curate at St John's Newbold Temporary Offices Temporary offices have been established in the No 2 Portacabin, St Thomas' Churchyard from which the administration of the Enterprise and the Community Gardening Service will be run. Community Gardening Service Ray Fletcher is now starting up the Community Gardening Service as a volunteer Manager. The Gardening Service now has two sites: the West Ward Leisure Garden, Brampton: and three allotments and associated training facilities at Stand Road, Newbold. In the first phase these will be used for horticultural training for unemployed volunteers and for the growth of produce for the needy and for sale at Enterprise fund-raising events. When a small competent team of gardeners has developed, a gardening service will be offered to the needy and others in the locality. In the longer term it is planned to develop a financially self-sufficient gardening service with growth potential, capable of sustaining a paid manager and an increasing workforce as growth allows. Ray has been very grateful for the support of a small, dedicated group of volunteers who have helped with the allotments. Future Plans At the time of writing it is our intention to appoint, at the earliest opportunity, a person full-time to launch and develop the first year of the Enterprise. As a priority we wish to open the Support and Opportunities Centre which will be the engine room of the Enterprise but progress on this depends on being offered premises at little or no rent and the necessary funds. Funds We have been granted £15,000 from the Bishop of Derby's Urban Fund and have raised nearly £5,000 from donations from local people and fund-raising events. We need about £20,000 to support the Manager of the Enterprise and set up the Support and Opportunities Centre for the first year. We had an encouraging meeting with Borough representatives but there are no resources available at present. We will continue to seek funds from other churches and grant-making bodies and to organise our own fund-raising events. We shall be grateful for your support for these activities and for any donations in cash or kind you feel able to give. Membership We now have a membership scheme which you are invited to join if you would like to further the interests of the venture. (Individual membership:£5; unwaged: free; organisations: donation of choice). Please contact Pam Brimelow for details if you would be interested in being a member. Remember: James 2:17and Mathew 5:16 Jill Gant Coordinator Compassion in our Community (December 1994 edition of Mustard Seed) Touchstone Community Enterprise is taking off. It is a local initiative, started last year by people concerned about unemployment and its devastating impact on the health and welfare of many. Each year, the churches in St Thomas' Parish feature a particular project over Christmas. They invite people to give generously, as a way of expressing gratitude for all they are enjoying. Usually .it is concerned with poverty, famine and homelessness in the developing world. This year, they are focusing on Touchstone, being concerned to confront unemployment and its effects locally. Touchstone wishes to set up a support and opportunities centre in suitable premises. This will be its base, to be readily accessible to unemployed people for: • practical and emotional support • advice and counseling • vocational development opportunities • stimulation and creation of new business ideas Touchstone want to create jobs by stimulating, supporting and running non-profit and community businesses. The opportunities are enormous. Finance is a major need. A grant of £15,000 was received from the Bishop of Derby's Urban Fund and £6,800 has been raised from donations and special events. However, it is estimated that £100,000 per year will be needed for the Centre. Immediately, a sum of £5,000 is needed, with a further target of £20,000 in all to come from local fund raising. Touchstone invites local people to contribute to this local project. Gifts can be made in two ways: • at all Christmas services at St Thomas', St John's and St Peter's churches, there will be special collections for Touchstone • money, in an envelope clearly marked, can be delivered to St Thomas' church office at any time. Cheques should be payable to St Thomas' Mission account, with "Touchstone" written on the back Touchstone is an expression of compassion in our community. Christmas Appeal -Why Touchstone? (December 1994 edition of magazine) After due deliberation the Church Council has agreed to devote the proceeds of the Christmas appeal this year to our own Community Enterprise Project - "Touchstone" (previously known as S.T.E.P.) Unemployment is a very debilitating 'disease' which strikes without discrimination at the very sole of our community. As well as the mine closures, major engineering firms in Chesterfield have suffered severely with knock on effect to small businesses, the building trade and retailers. The consequence for many individuals and families has been devastating; skilled engineers and tradesmen find themselves redundant after 10 - 20 years of continuous employment, never having known what it means to exist on benefits alone. To cope with this new situation many unemployed, particularly the long term, need support and confidence building to tackle the consequent financial, social and rehabilitation problems. Touchstone, now a Limited Company, intends to address these needs as part of our Christian mission. We cannot achieve this on our own, but we are unique in offering comprehensive, individual support and counselling in partnership with our local council and statutory bodies. In the longer term we seek to bring grant funding into the community to stimulate local enterprise. Please look carefully at our Ploughshare cover. This represents our parish which we serve, or do we? Oh yes, the Church is always there, but are we stepping out in response to those in need as Jesus asks us to? Are we not being challenged each in our own way to put our weight to the plough, to use our skills and resources to till the soil, and create and enviroment where, as his disciples, we will support and encourage those in need? What will this Christmas Appeal be used for? This year we have raised nearly £6000 in fund raising efforts and donations. £2000 of this has been spent on administration such as insurance, legal expenses, travel, telephone etc. Progress so far has been entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers. The management team have decided that with three trainees and the establishment of our gardening and community care enterprise, the time is right for the appointment of the Enterprise Development Manager. The £15.000 from the Bishop of Derby's Urban Fund was allocated specifically for this purpose. However, this appointment must be supported by a further £15,000 during the coming year to provide support costs and premises. We are of course looking to grants and financial support from outside agencies and in the long European Funding. £5000 now will fund the premises and enable immediately for the project to really take off in the New Year. Touchstone 1995 -Ken Singleton Introduces Himself (June 1995 edition of magazine) Ken Singleton writes the following resume of an interview at the Annual Church Meeting. May I introduce the new Enterprise Manager to Touchstone. Could you tell us a little about yourself and about Touchstone? My name is Ken Singleton and I started as Enterprise Manager on 20th March 1995. Touchstone is incorporated as a non profit making company limited by guarantee. It has a small board of unpaid directors which meets every two weeks. Could you update us on Touchstone and tell us about the aims of the organisation? The main objective is to alleviate the distress and hardship of unemployment, encouraging access to other local vocational development facilities. We are offering a programme of worthwhile vocational activities, such as leisure and technical craft, use of computers, administrative work and gardening work experience in the community. Could you tell us a little about the gardening service? The community gardening service has two sites: the West Ward leisure gardens in Brampton and three allotments and associated training facilities at Stand Road Newbold. In the first phase these will be used for horticultural training for unemployed volunteers and for growing vegetables to be sold at fund raising events. In the longer term it is planned to develop a financially self sufficient gardening service and increase the work force as growth allows. How many unemployed have Touchstone on the scheme at present and where is your main base? There are now 6 unemployed people on the gardening section with two unemployed workers in the office. The temporary offices are in portacabin No. 2 behind St Thomas Church. Could you explain about the funding? The funding is wholly charitable. Any additional help that can be given by Church members would be of considerable importance to the success of the programme. The monies raised from donations and fund raising events is our only source of revenue at the present. Touchstone have a number of fund raising events coming along shortly What are the immediate programme requirements? To prepare a detailed business plan for the gardening service. To seek appropriately located premises at low cost. To continue local fund raising to achieve a target of £10, 000 and then an additional £15,000. To pursue European funding for the future. To increase numbers on the programme. Touchstone 1995 -Two Year On (December 1995 edition of magazine)
A degree of unemployment will always be with us: unfortunately there are still those who relate unemployment with 'skiving'. The true picture is very different: with unemployment comes a loss of status in society and an unavoidable dependence on benefits with all their inherent problems. Not surprisingly it is our experience in Touchstone that many of these long term unemployed have become frustrated and withdrawn, having lost contact with their peers in work. Consequently the building of new relationships and confidence to tackle the world of work becomes progressively more difficult. In its own small way Touchstone has been able to replace this lack of support within our society with an atmosphere where individuals are encouraged and valued. Consequently many have felt confident enough to take up employment or training opportunities again. We are in the process of appointing a Gardening/ Community Service Supervisor, our first enterprise appointment, also looking at furniture recycling and community care projects. Although not successful as yet with applications for European and Lottery funding, we shall persevere, since major funding is essential for expansion. The management committee has worked extremely hard throughout the year in moving the project forward, building bridges with statutory agencies and fund raising. However, we are in desperate need of people with business, administrative and social skills to share some of their time and talents with us. We also need work contracts for our unemployed to gain experience; this could be annual contracts for church or commercial maintenance or smaller private jobs such as minor building, decorating or garden maintenance/landscaping. All our work will be fully supervised and to the highest standard. Ken Singleton Touchstone 1996 (February 1996 edition of magazine)
This is an impressive record upon which we need to build, to achieve this we need your continued support. Individuals can become members by joining for a £5 fee, or offering a few hours each week to share your skills. We urgently need maintenance work, large or small in the home, garden or industrial site. All work will be supervised to a high standard and provides vital work experience as well as revenue for the enterprise. Ken Singleton Touchstone 1997 (February 1997 edition of magazine)
We provide a working environment where users are able to experience the discipline of work, develop new skills and. responsibilities, but are also personally valued for their contribution. to the community. This level of self esteem, self confidence and. support is essential for many individuals to compete in the limited job market. However, to move forward into identified areas of community need such as; · Community Care and Support, · Recycling Projects, · Networking, linking local agencies and support organisations, The existing management team needs expanding and strengthening; with people who are prepared to share their business skills and. time. "Touchstone Support Centre" is now a registered charity. This will open new doors and enable us to respond to charitable needs. In February we leave our rather uninviting premises in Old Hall Road to link up with the YMCA in the centre of Chesterfield. Let us all take this opportunity to move Touchstone forward in a very practical manner as our local mission commitment to help those in our community. How you can help. · Become a member (annual fee £5) · Apply for affiliation by your organisation · Regular covenanting to the charity (Touchstone Support Centre) · Invite Touchstone to speak to your organisation, Church PCC etc. · Offer of time/skills for a few hours per week · Assist with publicity · Provide work for our maintenance team Chairman: Revd Michael Fermer Treasurer: Jim Mitchell Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 1997 -Where Are We Now (June 1997 edition of magazine) In my last report on Touchstone I mentioned our move to the YMCA premises in the centre of Chesterfield and the importance of acquiring charitable status. These are but stepping stones along the road to achieving our potential in providing support, training and jobs for the unemployed. We are now in receipt of a major grant from the Tudor Trust of £75,000, for the appointment of a Coordinator for three years. To obtain this award we have been closely scrutinised. It is therefore encouraging to all concerned that it has been awarded in recognition of our potential to deliver there aims and objectives. We are particularly grateful to the Venerable David Garnett, Archdeacon of Chesterfield, for his support. This grant provides sustainable funding, but also opens doors to further opportunities through matched funding and partnerships with other agencies involved with the unemployed. Have you heard of the "Intermediate Labour Market" in Glasgow or the "Routes to Work" in Derby`? These are two initiatives set. up to develop contact work acrd training for the unemployed, providing a reasonable living wage. The money has come from a combination of benefits, revenue and European funding. These pilot schemes are gaining recognition throughout the country and require a close partnership between the relevant agencies and the local authorities. Consultation with those involved in ILM indicate that Touchstone is progressing will in this direction. The appointment of our Coordinator and his support staff are therefore crucial. Some of the work is quite demanding but there are opportunities for a wide range of skills within the project. Your prayers and practical support are always encouraging to staff, volunteers and users alike. Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 1997 Update (December 1997 edition of magazine) We continue to expand and develop new approaches to support our unemployed volunteers. There are four salaried staff, our full-time co-ordinator Nyki Kerr, two supervisors and Amanda our office Administrator. We have 16 volunteers during the week, several of whom support us with quite responsible roles in the office. Whilst we continue to experience great difficulty on the job creation front there are many potential projects in the community, which can spring to life with the appropriate funding. This may materialise with the governments "New Deal" for the unemployed next year. It is clear from our experience that the unemployed need an environment not only where they feel valued, but where they have the opportunity to mix with others who are from different age groups, have varied skills and social backgrounds. This enables individuals to develop their over social skills and confidence, which with a programme of training arid support leads to improved personal and vocational skills. As a result of our achievements we have much wider recognition from statutory bodies like the Employment Service and these partnerships will be crucial if we are to expand our work in the community and attract further funding. However, our feet are firmly on the ground and will not be led in a direction which does not concur with the needs of our unemployed. We still need your support in many ways; a few hours per month of professional advice, help with fund raising or new computer equipment, or just drop in at the YMCA. Touchstone 1999 (August 1999 edition of magazine)
The needs of the long-term unemployed who do not qualify for ILM mainly because they receive disability benefits - are met by volunteers who are working with disadvantaged groups in the community, mainly gardening and decorating. We are now in a position to strengthen the support we offer this group and it is very encouraging that many are taking up training opportunities in their own time. Touchstone is not in the business of taking business away from others; consequently all these jobs are created by new projects in response to identified needs in our community. "Touchstone" at Ringwood Hall Brimington is a good example where we are restoring a Victorian terraced garden which will not only grow organic produce no GM crops here - but also provide a valuable resource for the local community. This 3 year project is funded in the main by Landfill Trusts, who in turn obtain their funding from Landfill Tax. Further projects include replanting the banks of the restored Chesterfield canal and a furniture recycling scheme, the latter desperately needed by rehoused people on benefits. Your opportunity to donate unwanted furniture! Touchstone remains committed to its Christian principle of service to the needs of those disadvantaged by unemployment in our community and we greatly value our close association with the churches in Chesterfield. In a recent visit the Bishop of Repton the Rt Revd David Hawtin expressed his appreciation and support for all that we have achieved. Please regard this as part of your church mission work in the community by giving practical or financial support. Adrian Marsden-Jones (Chairman) Touchstone 2001 (February 2001 edition of magazine)
Touchstone has long been aware of this, being at the sharp end actively responding to the needs of individuals and providing high level of support and training, tailored to their needs. We have a good team of qualified and experienced staff so that we are well able to respond to these changing requirements. We now support between 20 - 25 full time waged trainees and receive major funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Employment Service. The greatest reward for all this hard work is to watch individuals, initially with very little going for them, gaining in stature and feeling valued members of their community. Our success rate with trainees moving into permanent employment or full time education is excellent. The furniture recycling is so successful that we have difficulty keeping up with demand. Please contact us on 554932 if you have any usable household furnishings for collection. Our new Chairman is Bernard Drew from the Church of the Annunciation and of course Richard Robinson our Vice Chairman is your contact at St Thomas'. Our trustees meet monthly and we would welcome enquiries from anyone interested in contributing their skills and time in almost any capacity. Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 2002 (February 2002 edition of magazine)
However, the Bishop of Derby's Church Urban Fund had sufficient faith in us to finance a manager for one year. Although this provided `the priming for the pump' we had a long, hard and often bumpy trail to blaze during those intervening years. We now have a professional organisation with ten dedicated staff and an annual turnover of £500,000! I hasten to add that much of this money is used to pay a full wage to our previously unemployed ILM trainees, who receive training and support whilst employed by us for up to twelve months on community projects. Our success rate is phenomenal; a great encouragement and a very humbling experience for all those involved. We have helped individuals to recover their self-esteem, take pride in their achievements, gain new qualifications and compete successfully for often quite challenging appointments. "I've always felt valued for myself at Touchstone," was the response of one severely disabled ILM recruit on gaining his first permanent job as a supervisor. The furniture recycling team are finding it difficult to keep up with demand, so if you have any usable furniture, cookers, washers or household equipment to dispose of, please ring 554932. They will arrange collection and see that it is delivered free to families previously homeless, or on benefits. Due to building development we shall soon have to leave our Hipper Street premises that have served us so well. As yet we have not been able to find anywhere else suitable. Please continue with your prayers for us, we could not possibly have achieved all this on our own! Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 2004 (April 2004 edition of magazine)
Now that the financial climate has changed, all our projects, which provide the major 'back to work' skills, must be self-financing or have a high proportion of revenue income. Social Enterprise is our new focus, hence our latest project to open a new, much needed fifty place Childcare Centre in the middle of Staveley, due for completion in the autumn. Have you visited Ringwood Hall to see the restoration work on the organic Victorian Gardens by our "Touchwood" team, or the environmental improvements at Linacre by our "Touchground" team? Remember there is always a home for unwanted furniture, just phone 554932. From April, the New Deal back-to-work scheme for 18-24 year olds will be reduced from 26 to 13 weeks. This is a big blow to voluntary organisations like Touchstone, who need a minimum of six months to provide the NVQ training and rehabilitation needed by employers. Despite 'rosy' national employment figures I cannot envisage a time when the comprehensive support we offer will not be needed. We regularly support and employ over thirty trainees and are working closely with Chesterfield College on providing training in such areas as childcare and building skills. Please continue to pray for those in need in our community and the dedicated staff at Touchstone. Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 2006 (February 2006 edition of magazine)
Touch Wood - restoring Victorian gardens in Brimington, demonstrating organic gardening and composting. Touch Ground - making our environment more accessible by laying footpaths and decking, helping with the Chesterfield canal, clearing and fencing scrubland. Sadly this project has now been closed due to the ending of "New Deal" but don't be misled into believing there are no longer any unemployed in Chesterfield! Treasures - our nursery in the centre of Staveley is having its first birthday, having just received an excellent Ofsted report. Disappointing therefore that it is only operating at one-third capacity, particularly so when there is an identified need in the area. The government's latest strategy is to seek support from the voluntary agencies for the 16-18 year old unemployed school leavers. Many of these are difficult to motivate and require major adjustments on our behalf putting great demands on our resources. Change is always with us. Please pray that we can achieve this. Touch Home has just opened a large furniture warehouse in Wharf Lane very close to our existing building; do think of us when disposing of any usable furniture. Adrian Marsden-Jones Touchstone 2006 (December 2006 edition of magazine)
Now sadly due to lack of funding most of these community projects have had to close. Our present chairman Bernard Drew, who has made a huge commit-ment writes “It is especially difficult for our staff who have worked very hard to make the projects viable. We also greatly regret the effect that these closures will have on our local communities, especially those who have been well served by Touchstone over the years.” Personally I have no regrets; it has been a remarkable journey. When you enjoy a walk round Linacre reservoirs it is these disadvantaged unemployed who have built and maintained the walkways for you, also restored and preserved the Victorian Gardens at Ringwood Hall and many other countryside projects. Most importantly there are hundreds we have helped to ‘walk tall’ again in society. Many thanks for your support and prayers. Good news: our “Treasures Nursery” in Staveley, which was recently highly praised for its high standards by education inspectors, will continue. Adrian Marsden-Jones Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery (February 2010 edition of magazine) Did you know that Touchstone is still alive and kicking? Our purpose built charitable ‘Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery’ has been running for nearly four years now in Staveley. We chose Staveley because there was no provision in the area for children under three years old. (Staveley is one of the most socially deprived coalfield regeneration areas in North Derbyshire.) Cathy Walker, our manager, and her team of qualified, enthusiastic staff are dedicated to the welfare and development of the children in their care and have achieved two ‘excellent’ Ofsted inspections. We have a policy that early intervention is essential if we are to help these children and families in greatest need. The Duke of Devonshire has been very appreciative of this and has been funding these specialist places for three years. We had been ‘knocking at the door’ of Social Services for several years before we were able to persuade them that our nursery could help here. We are now running a ‘pilot scheme’ with Social Services with ten to fifteen needy and disadvantaged children each week. This requires specialist training for staff as many of these children have no perception how to behave or even communicate with their peers. We work closely with feeder schools and run crèche facilities daily in the Staveley Healthy Living Centre. Funding of all this additional work is always a problem, but like Pathways we are committed to responding to those most in need and disadvantaged in our community. Adrian Marsden Jones (Touchstone was originally set up in 1993 by members of St Thomas’ and St Peter’s to help unemployed and other disadvantaged people return to work. It ran successfully until 2006 when it closed due to lack of funding. However in the meantime Treasures Nursery had been started.) |