Carol Clarke
Carol is the Office Manager. As well as providing support for the organisation, Carol manages the website to make sure that all the information is up to date and accessible. She also makes sure that people know about Changing Our Lives by looking after publicity and marketing and taking lots of photographs at our events! Carol is the first person you will speak to if you call Changing Our Lives.
17 Jun
Spotlight Open Mic NIghts
During April and May we have been making sure all local people with disabilities know about Safe Places and are using their Safe Places cards in Sandwell.
To ensure people feel confident in their local communities, we set about working with people directly in day services such as North Enablement based at the West Bromwich Town Hall, Portland house in Wednesbury, Stoney Lane and South Enablement at the Windmill Centre in Smethwick.
In total we worked with 55 people, aged 25-60 talking to them about Safe Places, how it works, and using visual props such as Safe Places posters and stickers to refresh people's memories. Some people themselves showed us their own individual Safe Places card they carry in their purse and wallet and said they feel confident to use it in an emergency, which is great!
There were some groups of people, such as people at Stoney Lane and Portland House who had not heard of Safe Places so this was a great opportunity to explain to them what it was about. There were also some support staff who themselves had not heard about the scheme, so the session were really beneficial.
During the sessions people were really vocal and suggested other places that could be a Safe Places. Their ideas included the new development being built in West Bromwich such as the new Tesco's, the Cinema and shops. We are going to work with people who use independent and private day centres over the next month to make sure they are confident about using Safe Places aswell.
To ensure people feel confident in their local communities, we set about working with people directly in day services such as North Enablement based at the West Bromwich Town Hall, Portland house in Wednesbury, Stoney Lane and South Enablement at the Windmill Centre in Smethwick.
In total we worked with 55 people, aged 25-60 talking to them about Safe Places, how it works, and using visual props such as Safe Places posters and stickers to refresh people's memories. Some people themselves showed us their own individual Safe Places card they carry in their purse and wallet and said they feel confident to use it in an emergency, which is great!
There were some groups of people, such as people at Stoney Lane and Portland House who had not heard of Safe Places so this was a great opportunity to explain to them what it was about. There were also some support staff who themselves had not heard about the scheme, so the session were really beneficial.
During the sessions people were really vocal and suggested other places that could be a Safe Places. Their ideas included the new development being built in West Bromwich such as the new Tesco's, the Cinema and shops. We are going to work with people who use independent and private day centres over the next month to make sure they are confident about using Safe Places aswell.
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Meet Alex Johnson, an 18 year old up and coming Young Voices Leader, who shocked the audience into silent awe with his beautiful baritone ‘It’s a wonderful world’ at Friday’s Open Mic night at the newly opened Evolve theatre, part of Dudley College.
Our first Open Mic in Dudley, abley compered by our very own Gemma Caffrey, was opened in style with a sixties vibe by old favourites Dudley Din, led by Andrea Pope-Smith, Director of Adults, Community and Housing Services for Dudley Council. Great acoustic performances followed from Dudley College’s own music students who showcased their own songs. Thank you to everyone at the college for your support! You made us feel right at home.
Le Faye, a guitar trio from Windsor High School, gave their first live set with some fantastic self-taught covers. After a brilliant introduction from their manager Issy it looks like we’ll be seeing more of them and their natural down-to-earth style soon. It was also good to see William Horncastle try a new approach complete with guitar (although we did all wonder what had happened to Elvis!) and Matt Doleman take to the stage with some new comedy. It’s always good to have a giggle!
The evening closed with Gemma rousing everyone to the dance floor for a bit of a boogie. We can’t wait to go back to Dudley now, especially after the news that Alan Slym, a Dudley MP, may be joining forces with an old friend to make up part of a new comedy duo. His heckles and one-liners have given him a bit of a reputation, so we’re looking forward to his next venture.
Check our website for dates of the next open mic nights and get in touch if you’d like to join in! You never know, you might find yourself under the bright lights of Wolverhampton Civic Hall at the Spotlight final in January 2014.
Our first Open Mic in Dudley, abley compered by our very own Gemma Caffrey, was opened in style with a sixties vibe by old favourites Dudley Din, led by Andrea Pope-Smith, Director of Adults, Community and Housing Services for Dudley Council. Great acoustic performances followed from Dudley College’s own music students who showcased their own songs. Thank you to everyone at the college for your support! You made us feel right at home.
Le Faye, a guitar trio from Windsor High School, gave their first live set with some fantastic self-taught covers. After a brilliant introduction from their manager Issy it looks like we’ll be seeing more of them and their natural down-to-earth style soon. It was also good to see William Horncastle try a new approach complete with guitar (although we did all wonder what had happened to Elvis!) and Matt Doleman take to the stage with some new comedy. It’s always good to have a giggle!
The evening closed with Gemma rousing everyone to the dance floor for a bit of a boogie. We can’t wait to go back to Dudley now, especially after the news that Alan Slym, a Dudley MP, may be joining forces with an old friend to make up part of a new comedy duo. His heckles and one-liners have given him a bit of a reputation, so we’re looking forward to his next venture.
Check our website for dates of the next open mic nights and get in touch if you’d like to join in! You never know, you might find yourself under the bright lights of Wolverhampton Civic Hall at the Spotlight final in January 2014.