Confidence Building and Assertiveness Course - Thursday 19 January 2012

One of our most popular courses at SYCIL is the Confidence Building and Assertiveness Course. A 2.5 hour course, like this is free to Disabled People, anyone with a long term health condition, carers and Personal Assistants. For just £25.00 anyone not meeting these criteria can book on to the course; just like Rebecca England and Rosanna Warnes (pictured) from the Aiming High Team at DMBC.

Rebecca, a DMBC Apprentice, and Rosanna, Commissioning Assistant, both offered to have the camera pointed at them at the end of the course and gave the course and Kim Nightingale, the Course Tutor (pictured right), some fantastic feedback. Rebecca said "I really enjoyed the session. It is very interactive and not just a boring classroom setting. Kim is a fab trainer". Now booking for the next session: 15 March

Call 01302 89 49 29

Late last year SYCIL was approached by the Energy and Sustainability Team from DMBC to ask if their Neighbourhood Energy Officers could use our 'facilities' whilst working in the area. And of course, we were happy to oblige!

Andrew and Tony Wright (no relation apparently!) are walking the streets of Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe handing out information and answering questions about the help and grants residents can get to help their homes become more energy efficient.

The lads kindly offered to take SYCIL information with them too and this has resulted in several new referrals coming in to SYCIL. A fantastic example of how partnership working can be so beneficial.

You can contact the Energy and Sustainability Team on 01302 737471.

 On Friday 2 December the Choosing Independence Team at SYCIL held their annual event at Swinton Civic Centre to mark The International Day of Disabled People.

After several months of planning and organisation (by two ladies who are very glad that hair dye was invented to hide their grey!) over 50 service users, several SYCIL volunteers and staff came together to enjoy a full day of talks, personal experiences and workshops looking at how Personal Budgets and Direct Payments can lead to more independence and choice.

We were very pleased to welcome Sandy Marshall, Trish Talbot and Steph Starkey who kindly gave their time to give very moving accounts of their own personal experiences of Personal Budgets, and Kevin Davids, a local Disabled actor/singer/fencer inspired everyone with his 'just get on with it' attitude!

Thanks also go to the Deputy Mayor of Rotherham, Chris Pickering, for opening the event.  To John Healy, MP and Cllr Sue Phillips for their contributions and to those who took part in the Question and Answer panel; Martin Walker, Claire Tester, Jan Firth, Jane Kidd and Andy Webb.