Johns SCVS blog

blogging - hipper than ever

2006-03-21T12:43:00.000Z

i was doing my daily routine of checking out bbc sport when i couldnt believe my eyes. BBC are now using blogging to keep up to the minutes updates on the athletics at the moment. Perhaps there was a reporter there at our blog presentation - who knows!!!

If anyone is interested in seeing how the bbc are using these blogs just check out the link below

http://blogs.bbc.co.uk/commonwealth_games/

well done everybody!!!

2006-03-17T11:34:00.000Z

just a quick well done to all the trainees who took partin the presentation yesterday. I think it went really well and the message got put across well also.
Becky i know you were ill but we know you were there in spirit - youll have plenty of opportunities to do another presentation in the future :(
Anyways well done again and here is to another blog event. :P

it was a success

2006-03-06T12:33:00.000Z

going back previously to the Circus of Horrors show. The YP loved the show and loads told me that it was the best activity they have had since being part of Involve which is really encouraging.
The whole night went without any concerns. We had a total of 13 people attending the event - which turned out to be a really nice amount of people. Fun was had by all - even the staff i think which shows it was a good activity lol

circus of horrors

2006-02-17T14:30:00.000Z

well i aint blogged for a while so i had better make it a good one lol

Well its about my upcoming activity that me and sarah have organised as part of Smart Move. We are going up to the New Theatre in Cardiff to watch a play called Circus of Horrors. We are hopiong for a turnout of around 20 people (fingers crossed)
The reason that im blogging i guess is that over the last few activities there has only been a few Young People attending - sometimes more volunteers that YP lol. I can see why Sarah gets really disheartened by this because its such an effort to organise these activities and when a few (usually 3 or 4) YP turn up its kind of disapointing.

I guess there is only so much you can do as some of these if not all of the YP have really troubled lives. But the way i see it is that for them few hours a month its a good way to escape their troubles etc. But hey - fingers crossed i guess for a big turn out. More the merrier.

Ill keep in touch and let you all know how it goes. Oh the activity is next Thursday

the presentation

2006-02-08T10:06:00.000Z

hey trainees -

well done for yesterday yeah. I hope you all had a good night sleep. Im just blogging really to say sorry to your guys if i looked disinterested after i finished doing my part of the presentation. I know too well that this thing was a team effort and im sorry if people thought i didnt care how you guys did during the presentation.
Truth of the fact is i was really proud (and releived) on how well you did. And told you this seconds after. I was so so so nervous in the presentation (with a touch of "man flu". But again trainees im sorry if you think i didnt care how you guys did because honestly i really did and you all were great.

well done and sorry if i had let any of you down

ciao

cinema

2006-01-31T11:41:00.000Z

i was updating my profile and in interests i was writing about my love for films. My question to you guys is how many of you go to the cinema now and if so how often.
I ask this because myself being a film loving criminal doesnt go to the cinema that much unless there is an epic film about to be released such as MUNICH

Where a few years ago i would have gone once a week easy - with technology nowadays though i feel i enjoy watching a film in the house on DVD.

What do you think - what has changed about the cinema - or is it peoples trends that have changed. Answers on a postcard please. And no more stupid anonymous messages please - thankyou

ciao

Foyer

2006-01-27T14:02:00.000Z

this morning i went down the Foyer with Sarah Leck from involve. We were supposed to have an activity for our clients. However with most of them sadly having hectic lives no one turned up. But me and Sarah took part in the activities anyway and had a look at the projects premisis. I was very impressed because sadly this was my first time down there.
I was speaking to a worker called Mike down there. He was clearly passionate about his work and was very helpful.
He is going to forward me two DVD's on homless people in Swansea and a DVD of the Homeless Rugby World Cup - of which Wales were very successful.

This morning turned out to be a great experience for me as it opened my eyes - i really enjoyed and i cant wait for my next meeting down there in March.
Since i started in January 05 - i have just been completely suprised and shocked (in a nice way) of all the good work that some of these projects do in Swansea.
Its FANTASTIC

Dink Dank Do!!

What projects have really opened your eyes/enjoyed/etc????

childhood memories.

2006-01-23T12:15:00.000Z

at a recent meeting we got told that most of our bloggs didnt have enough questions in (to get comments flowing in) well i have just had a chat to someone in the guildhall about our favourite childhood game.
mine personally was my subuteo set which i had for some years. A close second was my "guess who" game. Hours of endless competitive fun lol

So what was your fav childhood games? Come on people share the wealth

blogging like mad

2006-01-19T14:51:00.000Z

hey fellow blogger - just while im free for 2 mins

A quick message to say wow - i cant believe the amount of bloggs as of late - it is fantastic. There have been many funny, sad and most of all useful bloggs. This is great.
I have used that email address phil posted up regarding julies blogg about film making. And thigs are looking good there.

So just to say keep it up guys and hey lets get stuck into this presentation when we have a spare 10 mins or so. We will all have to get together at some point to see what we all have yeah!!

Blogg on dudettes and dudes. - its the future :P

archery

2006-01-18T12:05:00.000Z

Tonight from about 5ish i will be working with Sarah Leck from Smart Move.

We are taking a group out to take part in an activity - this weeks activity being Archery. Im so looking forward to it (not the archery) but meeting the group and having another angle on community work i guess.
Its quite an interesting combo of having 3 days a week with Paul W - whos project is about getting people to good health through walking etc and then Sarah who has a completely different project entirely.
The upcoming 2 1/2 months should be quite sound.

my 1st day

2006-01-17T11:04:00.000Z

just a quick blog while im on a coffee break. WOW my placement is looking so good already - i have gone through an action plan with Paul - there are so many things i need to do lol. But im loving it - hey i might even get the chance to Chair my first meeting (joy)
"That will ding dang do for me" (extracted from Max and Paddys Road to nowhere)

So in brief - its looking good. See most of you tomorrow with a smile on my face.

new placements

2006-01-16T10:19:00.000Z

I have been told my new placements (whoo hoo)

two days a week i will be working up with one of the projects up in involve. It starts on wednesday evening where we are meeting a group of people via an activity called archery which should be interesting.
The other two days a week will be down the guildhall - working with the sports department again however in a different area. Health directions i believe its called, but im really looking forward to it.

Fingers crossed for me fellow bloggers but i dont think ill need it. :P

What a great assignment

2006-01-13T09:52:00.000Z

i have been given this assignment to do recently (sorry sarah it isnt the committee skills essay) its an assignment i have received from amanda.
I basically have to look back to the end of the second world war and look at the Welfare State, voluntary organisations around at the time (if any) and basically explain how i fel they have survived over such a long period of time.

Now i am aware that this isnt everyones cup of tea (i didnt think it was mine!) but wow, its so interesting i cant put the assignment down lol
I was never a big fan of history - even though i wanted to be - in school i felt we didnt cover any real gripping subjects.
So Amanda thankyou for putting history back in my top 10 school subjects.

Officially your my Boss, unofficially your my new history teacher. lol

I know this might be a bit of a random way to end a blog but what was your fav subject when you were all in school? Answers on a postcard please

3 month extention

2005-12-28T14:05:00.000Z

hey there all you bloggers

Just to let you know that we have been given a 3 month extention to our contracts. Obviously i was chuffing like a muffin (even though i have had to cancel my trip to France) but as Gail H said to me - at least it would be warmer out there in march.
So put the cork back in the bottle your all stuck with us for another 3 months. And im going to love every minute of it. lol

Hope you all have had a merry christmas and a happy new year by the way people. Ill look forward to catching up with you soon - especially you phil and julie. Be good untill then

Sports Awards

2005-12-07T14:08:00.000Z

Here is a picture of me and a few of the Coaches at a recent Sports Awards. A fun night was had by all. The main thing was that the children enjoyed the night.
The lad in the middle is a famous cricketer called Simon Jones who plays for england and helped them bring the Ashes home.

He was an awesojme chat who always seemed to have time for the children who were always asking for his autograps (e-bay i guess)

Kevin John s who presented the evening was also fantastic - keeping the crowd on their toes and at one point was doing commentary on the Swansea v Yeoville match that was taking place at the same time of the awards. As mentioned an excellent night was had by all and ill recomend this as a place to be next year. So Julie M if you get invited next year

1. Im having a ticket
2. Please go because it was truely fantastic.

Whats the best ceremony you guys and gals have been to?

i can guess that Sians will be the Princes trust awards for exmple :P Let me know people

Last week or so

2005-12-07T11:18:00.000Z

So this is my last week or so at SCVS and Sports Swansea. What next for me???

Im happy to try and get christmas out of the way at this moment in time as im running around like a headless chicken.
In sence of career prospect - i aint sure what will happen yet. I have a few things here and there which will pay the bills - so im ok in that sence.

I think ill just keep my ear to the ground and see whats about. Its been an excellent experience at SCVS and i have learnt so much from it. Not just through training courses but from the people who work there - ill be quite sad to go to be honest.
Dont worry ill keep in touch (i heard you all groan lol)

What are you looking for when you finish your traineeship fellow bloggers?

Columbo

2005-12-06T10:14:00.000Z

Yesterday when i got home there was a classic show on the Television called Columbo - you all know who it is. And i watched this particular episode where it looks like the killer has actually got away with the murder AGAIN (which has always been cunningly desguised as a suicide or natural death) but then KUPAW - he breaks them into confession - and solves the mystery.

But then i laughed to myself and thought i would love to have Columbo as my side kick to solve some of these dreaded community development mysteries/problems.

I think the world would be a better place for it. lol

God bless Columbo - did he have a glass eye in realy life??

my blogs have returned unharmed. WELCOME HOME

2005-12-05T10:04:00.000Z

Hey everyone

As you could have prob seen when you all logged on, my bloggs have returned home - this is either because of the cold weather or because of the hard work Jeremy and Gareth has put in chasing these blogger.com people - cheers mateys

And hurrah to blogger.com lol

crazy days of a development worker

2005-11-29T14:07:00.000Z

All this hard work i have put in to this tag rugby festival was starting to show but now we have had to cancell all of decembers (and the rest of novembers) tag rugby because the school are concentrating on their nativity plays - aahhh lol

Its a bit of a relieve i suppose because i do have to take my annual leave before my contract expires and this has left a nice litte gap in my diary. ;p

But this sports coaching thing has really grabbed me by the hair and i really fancy sticking to this career. Ok i have to do more training etc but it aint to difficult for me - i have the experience but all i need now are a few qualifications to chuck on a piece of paper. I really got hooked after the Sports Awards (not because of the wine) but because of the children. Seeing a 7 year old winning best achiever in WALES and being ranked number 2 in EUROPE in his sport. It was quite touching and it dawned on me that young children really need help into getting into sport so then in 10 years time we will have another Ryan Giggs, Gavin Henson or Lee Trundle.

These children are the future - not always in a sporting sence but i think sport is a great way for a child to make friends and build up their confidence. (i think julie might agree)
So keeping in the theme of things after you read this blog drop and give me 20 laps lol

Guys i have seen the light lol - ;p

a cold winters day!

2005-11-25T12:03:00.000Z

WOW! what a morning - i leave the house at 8.30 to try and get into work with over a foot of snow on my road - slipping and sliding - ducking and weaving. It feels like i have done a full days work already and i wasnt even the one that drove in.
Well anyway i eventually make it to scvs at 9.45 - which i think has to be a record for slowness but at least i arrived in one peace.

Im just greatfull that we didnt manage to go down to St Fagins - because there is no way (no matter how many layers of clothing i had on) i would have survived.

Hope you all have fun having snowball fights and building snow men/women etc

Have a good one - one and all

what would you like to be

2005-11-23T10:12:00.000Z

well the end of the traineeship is looming for me,julie and phil. Im here in the office thinking to myself - what do i want to be, what can i see myself being in twenty years time. And to be honest i would say Community development worker - or along them lines - obviously i would prefere to be a manager or something but one step at a time.

Ive had my confidance knocked badly recently - but now after thinking to myself i know how good i am at my job, i know i can do it and hey, i know i can do it well. But have i got the confidance to go into an interview and express my opinions and impress the panel for example
I have exactly the same confidance in Phil and Julie aswell - do you two share my worries.

When we had that careers advice a while back i felt as if i was being told dont pin your hopes that your going to get a community development job - what else would you like to be.
I know thats kind of obvious as sometimes the jobs just aint out there - but personally after doing 12 months of training and work experience i feel it would be such a shame if i didnt stick with the theme of community work - otherwise this last 12 months would (to me) be of a waste.

Suppose the question id like to be answered is "what do you see yourselves doing after the traineeship" or "what do you want to do" - this also applies to the other 5 trainees.

I think it would be interesting to know as at the moment i have a million things running through my head lol and after the traineeship i would like it if i wittled them down to 2 or 3 options.
Oh who would be a trainee lol

Tag rugby festival

2005-11-22T13:33:00.000Z

As most of you know - im helping Gareth Govier out with the organising of the Tag rugby festival. All i have done so far is book the pitches (which has been more difficult than it sounds)

But we are doing this for the Comprehensive clusters (which are the junior schools surrounding that particular comp) Alot of hard work has been put in for these schools and we have given them over 3 weeks notice. But now - im calling these junior schools up and they just aint interested.
Teachers are on courses - or they aint getting back in touch with us. Looks like we will already have to cancell tomorrows tag rugby day because of numbers however this just shows the problems that we are all having.

We did the hard part of organising the event and informing the schools (who were really keen) but now people look to be dropping out left right and centre. Fingers crossed that some of the days go ahead (they will). hey we have the festivals going untill late january. Some schools are bound to take part.

This is such a good thing for the children and its annoying when they miss out on things like this - i didnt have this kind of event as a youngster and i really wish i did. It not only gets children into fun games etc but they have a chance to make new friends - build up their confidance and its a nice day out for the school aswell.

Oh well. Better get back to calling these schools huh. This thing wont organise itself.

viva la blog

My blog - My blog - My kingdom for a blog

2005-11-22T13:25:00.000Z

At the start of the week i turn up to the SCVS off ice to have Sarah turn around and ask about my blogs and if i had been on there recently - "nah" i replied.

But to my amazement when i went onto the blog site all of my bloggs have disapeared like a cheap paul daniels trick.
Fingers crossed Jeremy can get these blogs back - he has told me not to panic ---YET but i have my fingers crossed.

I have a question that i want the trainees to answer aswell please.

What does community development mean to you and why do you enjoy your jobs so much.

First Aiid Training comes in use

2005-11-14T13:58:00.000Z

Im officially a super hero.

I get out of the car and start strolling to the Guildhall - when the security guard has an epileptic fit (if thats how you spell it) - but came down heavy on his head. I was the only person there - rushed over took off my £60 tracksuit top (what was i thinking) and put it over the chap.

He was bleeding heavily from the head - so i put him into the recovery position - luckily a lady who lived right outside had saw the accident - came out with tissues and a blanket. The bloke (David) didnt know where he was - who he was and was in shock because of the blood etc
People then came over and started to interfere - for example one said oh mate - pick "im" up. Now i know with a head injury that you shoudnt really do that - my point is thank god i did that course - even tho it was basic it really saved me when it came to this incident. I would have been in a right pickle otherwise. The brother in law turned up and thanked me and the neighbour for being such a help - i think David will be ok though - obviously just needs a rest now.

Its hard being a super hero i tell you but i really need a cup of coffee now - but seriously im so glad i did that course now - and it shockes me that there were some people that turned up - working for the council (who would usually be the first on the scene if there was an accident outside the Guildhall - but sadly some of them didnt know what to do, as the example kind of shows.
But hey its over with now and the bloke is fine - Sarah does this cover any of my NVQ assessment points that i need to cover. lol

presentation cancelled

2005-11-11T11:28:00.000Z

I got the news yesterday that my presentation had been cancelled.

I didnt know wether to cheer or cry. To be honest i was more gutted that happy because i had put loads of work into it and almost psyched myself up to do the actual presentation. I know it couldnt be helped because of the "big move".
Perhaps this might give me some time to make some cute little hand outs or something lol.

Im sorry to all my fans out there that were really looking forward to this lol But dont worry it is being resceduled for the near future. :P

Placement to date

2005-11-10T10:48:00.002Z

My placement so far has been.......awesome

I have done so many things already. Made the first draft of the activity cards (they are being made at the moment)
Been out to a few schools and college, taking the Dragon Sports introduction course with Gareth.
Admin (doh - but has to be done)

Now i have trips lined up for next week involving loads of school work etc. Its just so fantasic here and i hope im representiing SCVS well. ("bridging the gap")
Now i have this presentation due tomorrow morning - thats one way to bring me down lol.

Anyways im off now to skip into the sunset while im still happy lol (damn no sunset)

Placement to date

2005-11-10T10:48:00.001Z

Placement to date

2005-11-10T10:48:00.000Z

Yesterdays AGM

2005-11-08T12:44:00.000Z

well what can i say about yesterdays AGM -i worked untill 4.30, drove home like a mad man (or my mother did) for me to get changed and get down to the Hotel at 5.
I look down at my watch - phew - 4.59. Just made it i think to myself. I walk to the reception to see Davis Bator standing outside - complaining that he is cold lol

So anyways after plenty of coffee and a lovely biscuit i head in to the AGM - not looking forward to it to be honest.

But this AGM was so much better compared to other AGM's that i had been to. A few jokes here and there, informative points and overall a good AGM.

I had left there thinking - hey that wasnt bad and felt quite cheerful-even though inside i wanted to fall in a heap due to the long day.

The only down point was having my mug on the report AND the powerpoint presentation - though i did get 7 mobile numbers lol. Overall a good evening, however it was quite sad to hear about Mikes retirement.

Roll on next year. ;p

under 2 months to go

2005-11-04T11:41:00.000Z

Well i cant believe it. Under two months left till my contract expires. I cant believe how quickly time has flown.
Looking back since i started this traineeship i would like to think i have learnt so much. Hey im so confident (not sarcastic) now aswell which will do nout but help me for the future.

Obviously now i need to start applying for other jobs etc - which i have done i just hope that the other trainees have got as much out of this as i have. To be honest i think i could say the same forPhil and Julie. It has been awesome looking at them two and seeing them progress aswell. (for example - julie believing in herslef) but now look at her lol

Nothing can stand in her way - she's like a raging bull. But as i said its been really cool to watch.

i had better stop writing now otherwise it wil only be one month to go.

ciao

what a beautiful creation

2005-10-31T15:47:00.001Z

just another blog whilst i have a couple of minutes

Just to say really how useful i have found this. Its been better for me i feel as i have been in the office for the last couple off weeks where other trainees aint had such easy access to a computer. I love the way you can stick up any troubles your having and people will leave comments guiding you to the light at the end of the tunnel.

How are you other trainees finding this???

Well done Gareth and Jeremy - whats next on your hit list lol

what a beautiful dreation

2005-10-31T15:47:00.000Z

whats wrong with people

2005-10-31T11:11:00.000Z

Well well well, another monday morning ticked off the old scvs diary.

But this monday morning is very different from the others - last friday whilst i was out with friends, my drink gets spiked, with what doctors told me they believed to be "speed".

After being found on my own, and unconscous in a gutter anambalance gets called out to me and i get taken to hospital. And finally get discharged about 9 o'clock that morning. (spending about 8 hours in hospital)
During this time my parents hadnt a clue where i was or what had happened to me - which made things alot worse for me.

My point is - this experience has really showed me how valuable people are - people like community development workers, teachers or anyone doing good in the community. Because it is up to people like this to re - educate the few people out there who are giving these communities a bad name. This is obvious a personal subject for me however, with rising drug problems in communities i really felt i had to say something.
One scary though i did have was thinking how worse things could be in the communities if there were not people out there re - educationg.

I went to a meeting up in Blaenymaes - met a bloke from the "needle exchange" - which is a scheme set up to make sure addicts are at least using clean needles. He told me that there was a young child of 12 on the scheme. After hearing that - things really hit home.

Keep the faith my fellow communinty development workers -

My first week as a community development officer "trainee"

2005-10-27T12:01:00.000+01:00

Well this is a great time to ask me to do something like this gareth lol. Ten months late - "better late than never i suppose"

Well my first week - for what i can remember about this is that me, phil and julie had to go around everyroom in the scvs building saying

"hi im john, i used to .....blah blah blah"

it was so embarrasing lol - I also remember the intense amount of training days we had. I think we had that terrible day down neath cvs on our first week or was it our second. In all honest the first week or two at scvs i want to forget because they were manic for me. But now i have settled down and getting my teeth stuck into things im really enjoying the experience. Especially the placement factor of the traineeship. I think that has prob been the best aspect of it - you learn so much from hands-on-experience,

Anyways im waffling now - ciao

New placement

2005-10-27T10:34:00.000+01:00

now i have a spare couple of minutes i just thought i would go into greater depth about my new placement in the sports department in the guildhall.

As i said before it is going really well. At the moment i am working with the marketing department to try and raise the profile of dragon sports via advertising and word of mouth etc
We are working closely with the evening post and we have been told that they would like to write regular articles. Covering sob stories on how the project has changed a few peoples lives. etc.
Im also working with a Steve Osborn who works inj the Penderry ward. They have taken up a scheme where they take 7 unemployed people and basically turn them into fully qualified coaches which i think cant be a bad thing. Thats really moving at the moment.

I pulled the short straw in terms of my next task. I have to call all the schools in Swansea and help them fill in an evaluation form ove rthe phone. The evaluation form evaluates Dragon Sports as a service and it just gives us ideas on what to improve etc. All part of the job lol

My final task so far is to redesign them task cards for the coaches and volunteers. At the moment they are A4 size now we want them A5 booklet form. Sounds easy huh - well at the moment we have pretty much no budget so i have to do all the manual designing etc. Usually it would get sent down marketing department but Gareth has given me the responsability of completing it. (lucky me lol)

The good thing about this placement is that all of the above is office based and i could write anothe r2 pages on whgat im doing outside of the office - but i wont lol as i reallt need to get on with some worjk here.

Ciao for now

presentation on the 11th

2005-10-26T10:58:00.000+01:00

well on november the 11th i have my presentation due. And no it isnt going to be on the community farm - it is going to be on my new placement which is based at the Guildhall which you all know.

I think it will be ok - one good thing is that i have so much information that i can use because everything is really kicking off up there. For example dragon sports. Just a little bit nervous i suppose but as i mentioned on Phils blog - pratice makes perfect.

See you all on the 11th - "may the force be with ME "

John kc

my first blog

2005-10-26T10:16:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody

here is my first blog!!!! Just a quick note to say im loving my new placement in the Guildhall - Sports department. Things are going really well. Ill look forward to reading all of your blogs in the future

Take care

John C