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Feburary 2006

 

 

Big Winners!

Santa came early to CAN! Before the staff finished for the Christmas break, Terri received a phone call from Dave Knight, Grants Assessor of the Big Lottery Fund to say that CAN's application for funding to restore the project to full time working again had been successful. Added to the ongoing funding support from the Craigmillar Social Inclusion Partnership Board, this Big Lottery Fund Grant will allow CAN to continue to provide the much needed and valued service to its 375 plus members. Additionally, CAN will now be able to implement the development plans that had to be put on hold last year.  

Included within the grant is provision for training courses for those members who have experienced long periods of unemployment due to sickness or disability. We will also be able to equip and train housebound members in computing skills to allow them to actively engage through this medium within the regeneration process currently taking place.

Working in partnership with Job Centre Plus and other agencies we hope that the first of these training courses will commence in March, so if you would like to have a chat about what is on offer please give Terri or Norma a ring on 661 6677.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Robert Deans, a Team Leaderwith The Thistle Foundation has recently joined our team at CAN on secondment. Robert who has vast knowledge of disability and its issues with regards to caring and looking after people with disabilities will be working on Wednesdays in the office to gain further knowledge of the type of work we at CAN carry out on a daily basis. In addition to the many various tasks involved Robert will be actively engaged in project work with clients and members. This is a new venture for both Robert and CAN. We are all confident it will enable us to share our experience and expertise gaining wider knowledge of disability issues and their impact which we will be able to use for the benefit of our members and the wider community.

A CAN member approached Christine for help with what we thought at the time was going to be a fairly difficult problem to solve.Our member needed a new battery for her electric wheelchair and didn't have the means to raise the money required to purchase the battery.

After doing some research and making enquires Christine was able to apply for a the cost of a new battery from E.C.A.S. (Equality Choice Action Support) an Edinburgh based project

The result was one of significant success; our member has been given the full grant towards the much needed battery and will be back on the road again very shortly.

CAN DIRECTOR'S DREAM COMES TRUE

You're never too old to learn as CAN's director Dougie Lovatt has proven. Dougie has been on CAN's board of Directors for over a year now and has completed an HNC and HND at Jewel & Esk College in IT and is now enrolled as a 'Fresher' at Napier University doing his Computing degree. What started off as a hobby has now turned into a life changing experience, he has always been interested in computers and had confidence in using one but became more curious to learn more about the working of them. It's hard for him to believe after 3 years he now has an HNC, HND and is on his way to a Computing Degree. Like many mature students going back to training at college it can be very daunting but with the support from his tutors at Jewel & Esk College it took all his concerns away and was the key factors to his success. Although Dougie missed some college work due to his illness he still became motivated due to his tutors encouragement who had 100 per cent faith in him.

Dougie feels now his life has been transformed since enrolling at Jewel & Esk College, his confidence levels have soared and he has made new lifelong friends along the way. A lot of people think they have missed their chances to pursue an education because of illnesses, disabilities, feeling too old but Dougie Lovatt is living proof that it's never too late and anyone can try new opportunities to enhance their lives no matter what age they are.

The Craigmillar Ability Network Board and staff and are very proud of our Director.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Are you suffering from bereavement? CAN have successfully secured funding from N.H.S. Lothian to offer a Bereavement Counselling Service to its members. If you are experiencing difficulties coping with a death of a relative or friend then a confidential one to one session with a trained counsellor may be extremely beneficial to you.

TAKING UP OUR SERVICES

All of the services offered by CAN and its Partnerships are free and will not effect your benefits in any way. To register your interest phone Norma on 661 6677 or email us at:
can@can-disability.org.uk

CAN Information & Business Hours.

CAN Advice & Help

Monday / Thursday.

Monday - Thursday                                9.00am -- 5.00pm.

Drop In                                                   9.00am -- 3.00pm.                     

Partnerships based in CAN

Monday. Job Centre Plus                                                        10.00am-- 4.00pm.

Tuesday.   Local A.A.                                                             8.00pm-- 09.30pm.

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