Still holding the baton!

Life changed last year when my husband became critically ill. Since then I've been keeping Words and Action ticking over. With 3 young children and my new role as a carer, my plans for the business are different to what I had intended.

I have been extending my creative work to involve working with the elderly - teaching them new found skills in circus, as well as a host of uplifting games to improve overall mind and health. I have enjoyed the challenges presented by this age group. I've also been working with Family Learning in the local community on a host of projects to encourage parents and carers to be involved and support their children/granchildren in fun learning. This has included circus skills, olympic and games sessions written by myself and chosen to support specific aims and outcomes for the group.

Key Speaker at 30th Burns anniversary event

I have been invited by Sam Campbell, the President of the Danderhall Burns Club, to give the key address, the 'Immortal Memory', again at their forthcoming 30th anniversary celebrations this month!

Making a Deep Impact!

Will there be snow, when it's off to Aviemore I go next weekend?

The 2013 'Deep Impact' national training event sees innovative national organisations joining together to lead training, impart a range of skills and support youth workers through a range of seminars, workshops and discussions.

The annual weekend-long event is based in Aviemore and it is hoped it will encourage and equip youth workers to employ skills learnt and perhaps establish innovative models to impact and connect with children & youth in their communities.

I'll be taking my salopettes just incase!

All theory and no practice?

No way!

This inspirational all-day event will be led by amazing play practitioners and is run in conjunction with Rosewell After School Club and Midlothian Association of Play.


See blog entry, 'Oi! Whose Play is it?!' on 8th November for more details about the play training conference I will be attending.

So excited!

Oi! Whose Play is it?!

Always keen to update my skills, I am attending a day conference aimed at those working with children & youth. The training conference is sure to be inspiring and innovative in its delivery due to the speakers/practitioners attending.

Specific workshops will be led by Bob Hughes, Play Education; Play First Scotland; Andrew Schoolbread, Scottish Out of School Care Network, Dr Lesley Kelly, MVA; Ivan Harper, Midlothian Sure Start and Theresa Casey Consultancy.

The series of presentations and hands-on workshops will include:
Whose play is it?
Playworker – a challenging role. Safe vs Risk
Inspiring play opportunities: making the best use of play spaces with children.
Shelters and cooking without gas!
Getting started with funding
Whose play is it? (workshop)
Get out of the comfort zone – challenge yourself, staff, parents and children
Exploring schematic play patterns with young children
Defend the right to real play!

The conference is run by Rosewell After School Club and my former employer, Midlothian Association of Play, on November 24th 2012, at Beeslack Community High School, Penicuik.

If you know anyone that is interested in attending, I can email details.

Too-whit-to-whoo...something's new!

Hi all,

I thought I would let you know about a secondary position I hold outwith Words and Action.

Since October 2012, Midlothian Council have employed me as their Crèche Worker, to work with a diverse socio-economic group of children and families right across Midlothian. 

It's been great working with the Midlothian Community Learning & Development team, many of whom I already know through Words and Action events staged during the summer months.

I have already been on a 'Signing' training course and I'm looking forward to further potential courses in the not too distant future.

Of course, I am still busy with Words and Action and taking bookings for St Andrews Day in November, Christmas parties and special Christmas, Hogmany and New Year events! It's a really exciting time of year!!

Hack Off!!

It's been an unrelenting 6 weeks... another one is the Brazilian and Swansea hackers on my computer...
HACK OFF!!

A 'Brave' decison for a party

I was recently commissioned to deliver a 'Brave' themed party within the City of Edinburgh. The new Brave film is great fun and my party was great fun to deliver too! The large group of  boys and girls enjoyed the arts and crafts with great gusto! I can't wait to share the photo's when I get them.

My eldest daughter continues to learn the practical ropes of my business and has been working alongside me since June.

I can provide party entertainment and craft which covers a general 'party' theme, for those that are not incorporating fancy dress or themed partyware!

As a reminder, I currently deliver seven 'themed' parties which are suitable for tots - teenagers covering the themes of:
Circus Skills
Safari
Knights and Princesses (excluding teens)
Cow Boys & Cow Girls
Polar Ice
Space Oydessy
Glitz

Party: 100 Bookworms

Words and Action will be entertaining around 100 primary-aged bookworms at an East Lothian 'Storylab' awards ceremony in Knocks Academy, Haddington.

The end-of event party, which is organised by East Lothian Library Services, will mark the children's reading achievements attained throughout the summer months.

Storylab - The Summer Reading Challenge 2012 took place in libraries across the UK and its themes touched on global stories and London 2012 sports.

In 2011, the theme for the Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge was 'Circus Stars' and Words and Action did several 'Interactive Circus Storytelling, Craft and Capers' workshops for children at Midlothian and East Lothian Libraries.

Parts: Around the world trip

It's not been the first time that I've waited a ridiculous age for a part for a computer. I managed to trace the power pack leaving Europe (though my UK order didn't state that the warehouse was in Europe). As it still hadn't arrived it transpired, due to many conversations with the manufacturers later, that it was on a World Tour - taking in America, South America and ending up in Africa! Hard to believe I know, but true!

Thanks to Royal Mail, my delivery today of a Blackberry phone battery, which is under the value of £3, took 17 days to appear...I'm just waiting for the postcard so it can rub my nose in it!!!

Just as a reminder the number for Words and Action is 07766 916 420.

Penicuik Arts Fest - Simply Science

Hi there,

Words and Action will be holding two 'Simply Science' events on Mon 3rd and Wed 5th Sept. from *3.45-4.45pm* at the Penicuik Community Arts Centre, West Street, Penicuik.

The events are suitable for nursery - primary aged children with accompanied adults. The events are brand new and feature in the 2012 Penicuik and District Arts Festival.
http://pdaf2012.weebly.com/full-program.html.

Words and Action held a circus event in the spectacular festival yurt last year, within the grounds of the Craigiebield House Hotel.

You can contact me via my email or mobile: 07766 916 420. Please visit my business website www.wordsandaction.co.uk which gives more information about Words and Action themed children's parties, workshops and events.

*Please note, there was an error with the event start time in the paper copy which should read 3.45pm - 4.45pm.*

Temporary phone number

Hi all. I'm waiting on a replacement battery for my phone. Until then you can contact me via RamonaKirkness@hotmail.co.uk or via my temporary telephone number, which is 07765 714 581.

Thanks

A trip to the Middle East!

A trip of a lifetime and I'm leaving tomorrow!

What awaits?
Hot sandy deserts, travelling to new territories, sightseeing opportunites, exploring ancient cities, meeting new faces and making new friends.

What to take?
Sunglasses? Check. Clothes? Check.
Passport...for Penicuik? Not required! Read on...

What will I do?
I've been invited to travel to the Middle East- albeit back in time - as a principle storyteller to re-trace a significant journey made by two biblical characters.

What can you expect?
During the 'interactive' storytelling holiday fun day for school children, expect to cross deserts, follow rivers, journey to far off lands and get creative, whilst 'walking' through the story. The organisers ask that you bring a packed lunch for the journey!

When is it?
Organised by 'Hope4Penicuik', the event runs from 10.15am - 3.30pm on Tuesday 14th Augsut (tomorrow), at St Mungo's Church Hall, Kirkhall Road, Penicuik. All primary-aged children are welcome to attend. All children must be registered and collected by an adult. Further details available from Sheila Anderson. Mobile: 07999 534269 and Email: s.andersontalk21@talktalk.net

'Word' on the Street!

Words and Action was comissioned to deliver a 'Street Games' event to a host of Midlothian families in Gorebridge, as part of an annual four-week event organised by the Community Learning & Development team at Midlothian Council.

There was a real sense of community atmosphere and anticipation as the hot sun blazed down and the children - and parents - revisited traditional games and discovered new favourites together.

I enjoyed sharing my passion for games. I selected a diverse range of games based on multiple criteria to ensure an engaging, child-led event which catered for the cross-range of ages and abilities present. I also coached a core group of adults to try out new skills which, along with a multitude of other health benefits, can help to de-stress and may also enlarge the brain!

And they thought it was just a bit of fun!

Plastic fantastic...

I need your fantastic plastic. Not your cards - but plastic pots, plastic containers, yog pots, spoons in any variety of materials and guttering and tubing which small balls can travel through! It's for various science projects.

Please contact me if you require a special fast-paced, energetic and educationally stimulating Olympian event, such as the Edinburgh Olympian and Midlothian Olympian events I have recently written and delivered. More details can be found on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website: http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/events/event_display.asp?id=4823

Cracking Developments

MAP (Midlothian Association of Play) have put me through an Emergency First Aid course. Forget Vinnie Jones and 'Staying Alive' - Nelly the Elephant is the recommended tune of choice to perform CPR effectively. (I had a little cooperation from Jimmy the dummy).

As per my previous post, as well as being one of MAPs nominated on-site First Aiders during the project, I will also be their driver, play worker and play session developer.

I am now also Disclosure Scotland PVG registered (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) through MAP.

Another exciting development is that Words and Action has been asked to deliver four Olympian events at various MAP play scheme projects throughout the summer! So looks like I'll be wearing a multitude of hats over the summer!

MAP: A new direction over the summer

Some more exciting news...

I have been offered employment over the summer with the organisation Midlothian Association of Play.

I will be their first aider, driver, sessional playworker. I will work in a team covering designated free-play projects across Midlothian. I am also a play session developer working alongside multi-agencies and developing play sessions for their events, together with a colleague from the youth work course I've just completed.

It's a matter of Principles!!!

I've completed the 11-wk Principles and Practices of work with Children and Youth course, which I started back in April. Phew!

The individual and group assignments, youth work placement and reviews of 4 individual sessions I planned and delivered (including a Jubilee event, Father's Day event and choreographed dance session) have all been completed and handed in.

I also delivered my final illustrated oral presentation which was based on a circus skills session I developed for a group of 8-teens at Prestonpans Red School Youth Club.

In order to fully align this planned session with the three component elements that fundamentally define Youth Work: young people choose to participate, the work must build from where young people are and youth work recognises the young person and the youth worker as partners in a learning process; I incorporated Youth Literacies, a key element of the course throughout the circus skills session. It also enhanced the overall educational value for the children.

The session and my presentation were both very well received. :)

All that remains is to hear the outcome of all my hard work from the awarding body, North Lanarkshire, and then I'll be notified when and where the award presentation will be held through LAYC and East Lothian Community Learning & Development tutors.

Well done everyone for your commitment!

Edinburgh Olympians event

I am excited to announce my new event for 7-13 year olds, 'Edinburgh Olympians', will be held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh on Thursday 12th July at 11am-12noon.

It's an ideal hour for you, or a visitor to the area, to take in the Old Town whilst the children are enjoying Greek and modern-day Olympic-inspired events - such as hippodrome chariot and torch relay races, with a sprinkling of stories and anecdotes too!

Please call the Scottish Storytelling Centre for booking details and further info. http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/

School's out for summer...well nearly

Feeling great!

The 'Principles & Practice of Work with Children, Young People' accredited course I'm embarking on is nearing an end!

All self-study assignments have been handed in early :) The last theory training day is happening (all day) next Saturday, then its a youth work placement with follow-up and that's me!