Child of Hope: Beating alcoholism with a new business… and a bit of help

An African slum mum is recovering from alcoholism – in her case, drunk for almost every waking hour - thanks to help starting a small business. Read her story!

childofhopeuganda.org/latest-news/beating-alcoholism-new-business-and-bit-help/

Child of Hope: Sports and games help children with maths

Yes, it’s true! We have found that physical activities can be hugely beneficial in helping struggling children to grasp basic Maths concepts.

Supporting slower learners is always a challenge and there can be a range of factors that cause individual children to struggle with their learning.

And then a few months ago, we received a generous donation of sports and games equipment, including ropes, balls, scrabble, Ludo and dominoes. Our teachers have been putting these to good use, not only in playtimes but also to enhance learning.

Teacher Stella explained that skipping games can be used to help children with counting – as the children jump, the teacher can guide the children to count. Ludo is helping children with counting and problem-solving. Dominoes are used to help with number identification, problem-solving and addition. Now, children who are reluctant to engage in writing activities have made great progress through learning number skills through sports and games.

childofhopeuganda.org/latest-news/sports-and-games-help-children-maths/

Store & Secure: Security is stronger than ever

With the opening of our additional 7,000 sq feet of self storage units in our Bournemouth facility, we have beefed up its 24/7 security with an additional eight CCTV cameras – to make sure your home and business storage is ultra-safe!

We take security very seriously in both our Bournemouth and Basingstoke facilities… you can read full security details here, but in short:

• Digital CCTV covers all the main access points to the storage area; constantly monitored throughout the day then during the night by an external security company.

• Facilities are staffed 7 days a week.

• Staff trained to monitor all security services.

• Facilities monitored by external security company after hours.

• Staff walk-around before reception opens and closes.

• Daily store patrols by staff.

• Fire & smoke alarm system throughout the store.

Child of Hope: New slum child fostering service

Our initiative to arrange fostering for orphans and other vulnerable children was born when our respite accommodation became far too overcrowded and we realised it’s not suitable for all children. The new fostering programme not only relieves pressure but also offers a better environment for some of the children who couldn't live with their own immediate or extended families.

It’s been hard work! After a lot of time and energy, we have only recruited eight families, which has enabled 13 children to move out of the children’s home and into a family setting. Despite slow progress we are committed to seeing more of the children in our children’s home find suitable foster families because – along with the Ugandan Government – we believe this is the best way for these children to grow and flourish.

Anyway, we are continuing to work to encourage more members of the community to become foster parents and to raise money to pay families who are currently fostering to cover the extra costs involved in taking in an extra child. So far, being fostered has made a real difference to the children who have all responded well: they each have a brighter future now and are happier, showing improved health and motivation in studying at school.

Read more: www.childofhopeuganda.org/latest-news/new-child-fostering-service/

Store & Secure: Racking and shelving will optimise your storage space

For really efficient storage, you are welcome to fit out your self-storage room with self-standing racking and shelving – perfect for storing archives, goods, tools, parts and components. This can often save you hiring a larger room, because every inch of your space is optimised. Your storage becomes safer and efficiently accessed… no more piles of cardboard boxes piled up on the floor.

ARCHIVES:

The records your company keeps are vitally important. Sales records, orders, patient or financial data… the important information that you retain is organised better in racking, plus it is stored without damage and easily accessible when you need it.

TOOLS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS:

Shelving can be utilised for light, medium, and heavy duty applications and come in various sizes and shelf adjustments. Find your tools parts exactly when you need them.

RETAIL GOODS:

Retail stores often use self-storage to house the overflow of goods at peak times, such as pre-Christmas. We can receive the goods for you directly from suppliers or distribution centres (FOC)… but racking/shelving will enable you to keep the goods in pristine condition and faster to get your hands on the items you need… easier to organise inventory and accelerate stock replenishment.

Call a friendly member of our team to find out more about racking and shelving for your self-storage room on 01202 520 220 (Bournemouth) or 01256 444 455 (Basingstoke). storeandsecure.co.uk/self-storage-news/racking-shelving-will-optimise-storage-space/

Groveley: BIT training project ramps up

[Photography and online PR for Groveley Precision Engineering]

The latest project stage of NVQ BIT training at Groveley is focussing on using tools such as Poka Yoke, Kanban and improved workplace organisation so Lean manufacturing and design for manufacture are engrained in the workplace culture.

Completion of this stage will mean that all our staff will be BIT trained, producing greater efficiencies, maintaining our 100% on time delivery and leading to extra capacity.

The skills gained will enhance their ability to monitor and make improvements to production and manufacturing processes – fitting well with our SC21 Silver status and and developing Lean skills across our company processes.

It’s valuable too in the area of continuous improvement, where BIT teaches how to identify and eliminate waste, create flow and improve quality.

Groveley Precision Engineering: Mathematician Max gains experience

[Online PR and photography for Groveley]

Max Nailor – a second year student studying Mathematics at the University of Bristol – has joined us for the summer to gain experience for a potential future career in aerospace engineering.

He plans to take an MSc in Engineering Mathematics as he enjoys, and has a strong understanding of, applied mathematics.

Max said: “I wanted to gain experience in a small and versatile precision engineering company that utilize a wide range of engineering capabilities and skills; it will help me determine which specific areas to aim for.”

He will explore the various 3D capabilities at Groveley, 3D printing, 3D computer modelling and programming, through to multi-axis manufacture.

This continues to demonstrate Groveley’s support and commitment to training and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Child of Hope: Announcing... school no.2

BREAKING NEWS: We are working on plans to launch our own secondary school in Uganda's Namatala slum.

Basically, it’s in order to complete our children’s education at the same high standard we have reached in our nursery and primary school. Since our first older children left our school and moved up to local secondary schools, there have been concerns about a deterioration in their learning and behaviour.

COH continues to support 42 leavers as they pass through their secondary education. They will be joined by a further 25 in November 2017 and then 44 in November 2018 giving a total of 111 within the next 18 months.

That support is much more than the cost of fees, uniforms and scholastic materials, since individuals continue to live disadvantaged home lives in the slum. It therefore also includes a mid-day meal back at COH school Monday to Friday where our welfare team staff can talk to students, check attendance and offer help and advice.

They also receive home visits and medical treatment as needed, plus full care for those who are homeless (we currently have 3 in our respite accommodation and 5 who are fostered).

We also provide them with 2 week programmes in the holidays to support development of personal and social skills, as well as study skills where we employ secondary school teachers to give specialist revision classes.

Despite our efforts, ex-COH pupils’ reports are showing a deterioration in learning and behaviour is worsening in terms of application and effort. And during this last year, there has been a growing number of teachers’ strikes in Ugandan state secondary schools, which is also having a serious negative impact on pupils’ learning and opportunity to achieve a better future life.

So, watch out for more news about secondary education as our plans develop!