Spark - A place of possibilities where people thrive.

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Following on from our Diversity Scotland Charter Award in September 2021, Spark wants to ignite change in connecting our diverse community with opportunities. We are striving to broaden horizons and believe that these opportunities exist for all.

By our actions, we hope to encourage those providing opportunities to adopt an inclusive approach and reduce, if not eliminate the barriers to access those opportunities.

Colin’s role as DIA for Spark will provide our own members and the wider community a point of contact at Spark, as we ensure that we continue our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Colin says he and others like him do not want pity, they want a level playing field when it comes to opportunities. He wants to use his voice to create increased awareness using his storytelling skills.

Colin says that from the moment he walked through our doors he felt welcomed, valued, and accepted which has not been his experience in many other places. He says that Spark has played a huge part in building his self-confidence and self-esteem through the opportunities it has offered him as Storyteller in Residence, doing an interview for Heineken’s social isolation campaign with Denise Van Outen, and key speaker at our recent launch.

This provided him with the confidence to apply for the role of Disability Accesses Officer with Livingston Football Club and to work towards becoming a champion for Lothian Coalition for Inclusive Living.  He said he would not have taken these roles if it was not for his experience with Spark.

Colin said Spark did not try to change him or mould him, we accepted him for who he is and looked beyond his “differences”. 

He will soon become our lead volunteer for our exciting Story Festival in early Summer 2022. (More details to follow soon!)

Sadly due to tightening covid restrictions, the run was cancelled however he ran the route single-handed to honour his commitment to Spark and his sponsors.

He completed the run in  47:45 minutes and raised a brilliant £600 for Spark. Very Well Done Russell - we are all so proud of you!

An area where there is a lack or too little of important opportunities for people to thrive. This can lead to social isolation and loneliness and therefore we strive to connect our community with a range of possibilities to live their best life.

This includes employability opportunities.

Recently we hosted a meet up of mentors and mentees for our partnership with Career Ready. 

Students from Deans Community High School, their support teachers and Career Ready representatives discussed volunteering, study and work opportunities over a game of pool, coffee and cake. 

My team and I were able to understand more about the young people involved with the programme, their interests and how we can support them.

Our Foundation Apprentice, Francesca from St Kentigern’s Academy, in partnership with West Lothian College, is about to complete her Digital Media placement with Spark, having designed content for our social media communications.

We are delighted to have played a part in one of Spark's young volunteers studying for a career in Film Making being credited as a Runner in two BBC documentaries in the last two weeks. 

Spark introduced the young volunteer to the Bafta-winning TV Production Company, Specky when he took part in the filming of #cancelkarendunbar. Karen was filmed at Spark for the documentary, as she joined staff and volunteers for training on Diversity and Inclusion delivered by Tony McCaffrey, Founder of Diversity Scotland. 

Impressed by our young volunteer, Specky provided him with the opportunity to work on both the production of Karen's documentary and Stock Car Superstars. Currently available on BBCiplayer.

Developing Young Workforce are supporting our application to the Young Person’s Guarantee which we hope to be accepted for in recognition of our commitment to supporting young people better prepare for the world of work.

We have appointed a new Operations Manager, Alex Fleming to strengthen our talented team and selected candidates for interview for a Kick Starter and Long-Term Unemployed Scheme vacancies.

Discussions are well underway with local schools to get involved with the planning of our summer Story Festival. To inspire and spark the imagination and belief of our young people in the wealth of career opportunities in the world that awaits them no matter their background.

Our usual timetable of events has been thriving and it's been great to see the centre full of people once more.

We always welcome support and donations to continue our vital work in the community of Craigshill. You too can get involved - just drop me an email anytime or hit reply to this one!

Warmest,

Jane