Kibble Admin

Posted: September 16, 2021

Kibble developed Project Connect-19 to support care experienced young people disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the construction of a new project support team and the development of a new model of services was introduced.

About Project Connect-19

Project Connect-19 had a monumental impact and changed the lives of 51 care-experienced young people who lived or were preparing to live independently and had been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Through the project, access to a much-needed support network during an unpredictable time was made available. Many organisations usually relied upon were possibly unavailable or unreliable due to the closure, disruption, or restriction of services. The project provided individualised flexible, participant-led support and offered access to; online support, mental health counselling, a befriending service, activities to reduce social isolation, transitions advice and digital support where access to technology was a barrier.

The project ensured no one in the group was excluded. Young people had activities to look forward to and internet top-ups to join the online events. Young people were given a purpose through college and job application advice and access to resources and materials to further develop skills related to independent living. Moving forward, young people have adopted the positive behaviours learnt such as cooking, eating well, self-care and exercising, which has had a positive effect on their wellbeing.

The online group activities and private Facebook group encouraged socialising between the group of similar young people, with many providing emotional support to one another. The project has left behind a legacy of young people forming lasting friendships, which may prevent future isolation. The young people felt belonging.

The Favourite Activity was Cooking

Young People’s Stories

“I honestly do not know where I would be if it was not for this project. They have provided food for me when I had none. I don’t feel so alone now that I have other people to talk to. I could not do that because I did not have a phone or internet. I feel like part of the world again. I have made some good friends online and I rely on the recipe boxes and the internet top-ups the project has given to me. Thank you to everyone on that project because they are all brilliant and always check in with me.” – Ronnie

“I have been suffering from social isolation and low mood since COVID-19 happened. I can’t go anywhere, and I feel stuck in one place all the time. I can’t see my friends the way I used to, and this makes me feel really down. Someone from my old residential unit called me and told me about the project. I really enjoy taking part in the online activities. There is always something different happening and I get along great with the staff who keep in touch. I’m worried about when the project ends as I look forward to catching up with other people and I like the stuff the project does.” – Rebecca

“This is the best project ever. The staff supported me constantly which helped with my anxiety. I have met some friends online and I have learned to cook, I could not cook before the project.” – Rose

* The names of all young people featured have been changed to protect their identity.

Read our Project Connect-19 Report

1101-Project-Connect-19-Report

Posted: August 25, 2021

Kibble is expanding its early years’ provision with the opening of Puddle Lane, our new, state-of-the-art children’s nursery at Hillington Park, Glasgow.

Puddle Lane welcomes children aged 0-5 years old, offering exceptional childcare for Kibble staff, friends and family, and local families in the Glasgow and Renfrewshire areas. As the name suggests there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had, splashing in puddles.

Indoor and outdoor children’s nursery

At Puddle Lane there are impressive indoor and outdoor play areas for children to learn happily and naturally through the joy of play. Find us in the easily accessible location of Hillington Park, Glasgow, nearby Braehead Shopping Centre and within walking distance from Hillington West train station.

The indoor playrooms are open plan, letting children move freely. Inside, little ones can enjoy soft play with a dedicated baby zone and an indoor Astroturf play area which leads outside. There is also a dedicated dining area for enjoyable and relaxed mealtimes.

The children can venture outside to the enchanted garden, plant seeds and grow their own flowers while gaining an understanding of the natural world around them. There is more fantastic fun to be had in our outdoor playpark where children have the freedom to explore and be curious, learn and play.

Fun and play are underway at Puddle Lane

Look at our brilliant photos. For more updates, follow Puddle Lane on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Children can learn and thrive

The philosophy at Puddle Lane is centred around play and is in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. Our practice is rooted in the learnings of Philosopher Fredrich Froebel and underpinned by social pedagogy. Led by an experienced nursery manager and professional and friendly childcare team, children will learn and thrive as we instil creativity and confidence by encouraging them to learn at their own pace, and to take part in experiences which bring learning to life.

Drawing on 160 years of experience

As a leading child and youth care charity and social enterprise, we have specialist knowledge, experience and expertise in education, and early learning and childcare. Puddle Lane will follow an innovative social enterprise model and all profits will be re-invested into the nursery itself and put towards further enhancement that the children can benefit from.

“Kibble has had plans to open a children’s nursery for quite some time and it was the childcare challenges set by Covid-19 that accelerated the plan and brought the idea to life.”
Director of Education, Learning and Development, Audrey Baird

Throughout the pandemic, we offered childcare to Kibble staff and their families, and the uptake was a phenomenal success. It highlighted the demand for high quality, affordable childcare. We were determined to develop further and continue providing the service while expanding to the wider public.

Pioneering service

At Puddle Lane, we guarantee the highest standard of care is provided. Our experience and research have expanded across a national and international scale to ensure we offer the best practice in early years childcare.

Find out more

Visit the Puddle Lane Website

Tweets by puddlelaneELCC

Posted: May 12, 2021

Kibble has partnered with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to develop employability pathways in manufacturing and explore accessible routes into employment.

It is hoped that through the collaboration the organisations will encourage young people to consider a career in STEM, with plans to welcome pupils on regular visits to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), one of the specialist technology centres within NMIS, when current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The partnership comes as work at the new NMIS HQ, at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire, gets well underway, with two thirds of the structural steel for the digital factory now in place. At around 1.5 times the size of Hampden football pitch, the full NMIS facility will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and a collaboration hub.

The new NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy will link with Kibble’s very own Skills Academy, with both organisations working together to create long lasting opportunities for young people.

The organisations kicked off the partnership with a special virtual assembly for Kibble young people. Two of the AFRC’s engineering technicians who have taken alternative pathways into employment at the centre spoke to the young people about accessing a career in manufacturing, while taking them on a virtual tour of the facility. The assembly provided the opportunity for Kibble pupils to ask questions about entry routes, apprenticeships and to gain an insight into the manufacturing sector.

Jayne Clark started as an apprentice at the AFRC in 2014 through the University of Strathclyde’s modern apprenticeship programme. Without prior knowledge or experience of the manufacturing industry, she has learnt on the job to secure a fulltime role at the centre. After completing her apprenticeship Jayne moved on to successfully complete a degree in computer-aided manufacturing engineering and is now undertaking a post-graduate degree in advanced manufacturing: technology and systems all while still working full time at the centre. Meanwhile Joshua Walker studied mechanical engineering at college and after attending an open day at the AFRC in 2014, decided to apply for an entry role and successfully joined the centre’s metrology team where he learnt all about engineering measurement before moving across to the world-renowned residual stress team and now the centre’s lead technician in this highly specialised area of materials science.

Jim Gillespie, chief executive of Kibble, said:

“Creating real-life tangible opportunities for our young people is an important part of our role as we prepare them for their future. We are excited about the prospects this new partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland brings, as we collaborate locally and encourage young people to think about their future career paths and the opportunities available to them working within STEM.”

Jim Hannigan, head of skills capability at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Manufacturing Skills Academy, said:

“Through our Manufacturing Skills Academy, our aim is to transform the manufacturing workforce of today and tomorrow, creating opportunities for people to have flourishing careers.
“It is incredibly important that we support local young people and educate them about the various routes into the sector, supporting them along the way and providing the chance to experience what a career in manufacturing could look like.”

Posted: April 26, 2021

In her blog, Dr Helen Bratton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist from the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth (IVY) service explains how we support young people, their families and those who work with them using a comprehensive, trauma-informed and holistic approach.

I’m Dr Helen Bratton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth Project (IVY). I took up post with IVY in August 2020 following a period of working with adults and young offenders in prisons. Through my experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams and complex cases involving risk of violence and psychological distress, I found many cases could benefit from a comprehensive holistic assessment. Staff needed space to reflect on their experience with complex young people and to have the information pulled together, analysed and presented back in a format which would give a shared understanding and a way forward. There were no services in a position to offer this type of input within the establishments where I worked, which is why I was attracted to working with IVY.

IVY is a nationwide service offering multi-disciplinary guidance and support to people who work with complex young people aged between 12-18 who present with high risk behaviours and psychological distress. IVY is funded by the Scottish Government, hosted by Kibble and sits out with statutory bodies such as the NHS or Social Work. As such we are afforded an opportunity to provide innovative and flexible approaches to helping young people, their families and those who work with them. IVY has a team of highly skilled psychologists and social workers with extensive expertise in working with young people who present with high risk challenging behaviours. IVY is a free to access service which provides three tiers of input including consultation, structured professional judgement risk assessment and direct psychological interventions.

Consultations provide a space for staff to reflect and discuss their cases with guidance from IVY psychologists and social workers. We aim to develop a shared, psychologically informed understanding of the challenges within each young person’s experiences as well as the risk to themselves and others. Our approach is trauma-informed and integrative, taking into consideration the young person and the systems surrounding them. IVY is able to undertake comprehensive risk assessment and formulation for high risk cases to inform risk management for the responsible organisation. In a small number of cases IVY will undertake direct psychological interventions with young people or the staff groups who work with them. Ultimately, IVY aims to offer a service to promote a psychologically informed understanding of a young person’s difficulties to improve the outcomes for the child, and to enhance and encourage understanding from a trauma-informed approach of the adversities faced by vulnerable young people.

Posted: February 22, 2021

Our nurturing children’s residential houses for little ones aged five-12 are warm, welcoming and filled with love. Meet Manager, Natalie who has a valuable role in helping children feel settled in their new home. She shares an insight into the support children receive while being part of Kibble’s residential service.

Settle In

Natalie’s role involves spending time with children as young as five and up to 12 years old, who may have experienced trauma or adversity. She helps them settle into Arran Villa or Forest View, which are beautiful homes designed to be therapeutic with nature-inspired interiors, natural lights and tactile furnishings intended to maintain a calm, uplifting environment for the children.

Everything We Do

At Kibble, our style of care is modelled on strong research into trauma-informed practice. Everything we do is intended to help the children we support, and their families, manage their past experiences and move forward. Each child has a dedicated psychologist, therapist and social worker who work closely together with the young person and their family to create an environment and care plan, which helps to keep them safe, connecting with those who can provide the resources required to help them cope and move forward.

The Kids Get Decorating

Natalie shares there has been a lot of excitement recently as each child has been given the chance to choose a theme for their own bedrooms as we redesign and build the houses. We have encouraged the children to use their imagination and pick a theme that speaks to them, while being guided by our interior designer on colour schemes, which have been identified within trauma-informed principles.

Children will have the opportunity to design a personal space where they can relax. This may be the first time many of the children at Arran Villa and Forest View have been given a safe and nurturing space, never mind the choice to decorate and make their room their own.

The benefits of this refurb and build are endless to those we support. The space will be suited to the exact needs of the children we care for while creating calming influences which support each young person.

Hear from Natalie

Natalie said: “It has been fantastic seeing the kids take to their new space so well. One of the younger children in Arran Villa recently redecorated her room using drawings of unicorns and colourful sticky notes with positive messages written on them.

At Kibble we hope to mitigate any negative, traumatic life experiences a child may have had through early intervention. By working with the children and their families we hope to give them a chance at life which may have been unimaginable otherwise.”

“By involving children in the decisions about their own life, confidence and self-worth can be learned, or regained, as they recover some control over their own destiny.”
Natalie

Watch Our Video

Kibble’s Staff Team

At Kibble, we provide care, education and support to children and young people, many of whom have experienced trauma or adversity. This responsibility involves a huge staff team made up of exceptional individuals who are highly qualified, well-trained, and fully committed to playing a positive part in a child’s life. Each member of our team is friendly, fun, and thoughtful. Together, we are a constant source of love for the children who are part our residential care houses.

Learn More

Download Booklet

Visit the Forest View Webpage

To enquire about placements at Forest View, please contact Kibble on 0141 889 0044, or email referrals@kibble.org.

Posted: February 5, 2021

Today (5^th February 2021) marks an important milestone as we celebrate a year since the conclusion of The Independent Care Review in Scotland. The Review maps out the Scottish Government’s universal approach to transforming Scotland’s Care System and improve the lives of children and young people in Scotland.

One year on, we across Kibble pledge to #KeepThePromise and play an integral role in making Scotland the best ‘place in the world for children to grow up’ so that children are ‘loved, safe and respected and realise their full potential’.

Despite the challenges set by COVID-19, we have made significant progress in implementing many of the calls-to-action including implementation of therapeutic trauma-informed care. However, there is always more that can be done, and we strive to continually improve the landscape for children and young people. Below is Kibble’s pledge and a summary of our progress one year on.

Kibble’s Pledge

Continue providing a safe, nurturing environment for children and young people and to help them build brighter, positive futures.
Deliver trauma-informed care and recognise the importance of early intervention.
Help transform the lives of children and young people through the provision of education, training and employment opportunities that meet their needs.
Support young people on their journey to independent living. Give children and young people happy experiences, good memories and help them achieve a sense of belonging.
As a priority, provide care to children and young people in a loving setting.
Ensure there is a constant source of support for children and young people while they’re in our care.
Commit to sharing research and practice to support the Care Review.

Our Progress

Forest View Residential Houses opened in January 2021, creating a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment in the heart of Lochwinnoch. The houses sit within forest grounds alongside our primary school, sustainable play areas, and animals to support therapeutic interaction.
Garnock Lodge is set to open this month providing residential care and support to children and young people in the peaceful semi-rural village of Lochwinnoch. This is the latest community-based residential service.
Our Systemic Family Service has supported over 30 families in the last year. The service works with young people and families to a shared understanding of each other’s perspectives and to strengthen family bonds.
Bute is due to open in early spring, providing residential care and close therapeutic support to children and young people. This is set in the grounds of our Paisley campus and has been developed in-line with trauma-informed principles across care, the environment including nature-inspired interiors, staffing and culture.
We are affiliated with the Restraint Reduction Network and our practice and trainings are aligned to de-escalation techniques and early intervention approaches.
Across Kibble, we have changed our approach to language, ensuring that all conversations, materials and documentation are using non-institutionalised language to prevent stigmatisation of young people in care.

Background of The Independent Care Review

In October 2016, the First Minister announced an Independent Root and Branch Review of Care driven by those with experience of care. In the four years until its final conclusions in February 2020, the Independent Care Review listened to over 5,500 experiences, including children cared for by Kibble and our own staff.

The Review published numerous reports which included: The Promise and Pinky Promise, The Plan, The Money and Follow The Money, The Rules and Thank You. All of these comprised The Promise which set out five foundations of all care practice including:

Voice
Family
Care
People
Scaffolding

They also listed over 80 calls-to-action including many specific to residential care, secure care and fostering, of which are referenced below.

As a charity that has placed young people at its heart for over 160 years, we promise to continue taking the recommendations forward, working with the wider sector to drive positive and lasting change that will better support the needs of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people. We will continue to work alongside our young people to help shape and co-produce service delivery in the years ahead.

Further References

#KeepThePromise Residential Care

#KeepThePromise Secure Care

Posted: December 24, 2020

Kibble pupils have stepped in to support ‘Festive Friends’, an annual event by St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation to support those in the community who are isolated and alone on Christmas Day.

Creative Flair

To help bring a little festive cheer, pupils have created special handmade Christmas decorations that will go into a Christmas gift box handed out to isolated members of the community on Christmas Day.

The ‘Festive Friends’ Event

Every year the St Mirren Foundation host the Festive Friends event at the stadium where elderly and vulnerable people and families can gather together for a special Christmas Day celebration with food and live music. This is made possible thanks donations from the community and partner organisations.

This year, due to the impact of Covid-19, they were determined to make the event go ahead and instead it would be a Festive Friends Santa Dash. In partnership with the SPFL Trust and Salvation Army they will open up and utilise the kitchens at St Mirren Park and the amazing catering team from the salvation Army will cook a delicious Festive Dinner for all on the Santa Dash list.

The team, along with volunteer drivers from the Scottish Fire Service, will then deliver these hot cooked meals along with Christmas gift and delicious Festive Friends Christmas Hamper to everyone identified and referred to us from our community partners. The volunteers will also spend time, socially distanced, having a chat with everyone they visit at their front door before checking in later with a telephone call to check they enjoyed their dinner and are safe and happy.

Act of Kindness

Well done to everyone involved in this great event and we wish everyone a very special day and a Merry Christmas. Very proud of our pupils on their amazing, creative efforts and kindness as always.

View Our Gallery

Posted: December 14, 2020

Every day, the busy Finance Team at Kibble meets the challenges that come with being one of the biggest children’s charities in the country. With over 40 years of experience between them, it is fair to say that they know a thing or two about what makes Kibble work.

About The Team

Based on our Paisley campus, the team of 6 helps support every part of the Kibble group so that no matter what happens, our services have the resources to provide care, education, and support for our young people.

Every part of the organisation relies on the work of the Finance Team with invoices, payments, monitoring and auditing. This gargantuan task helps Kibble meet our obligations under charity and company law.

Whilst not a front-facing service our young people still have plenty of interactions with the team, and their door is always open. When a young person is fundraising with a raffle, tuck shop or Christmas fayre tickets, their first stop is the Finance Department.

How We Support The Local Community

The work of the Finance Team reaches beyond the front door of Kibble. As a charity with strong roots in Paisley, we want to ensure that as much of our spending is reinvested into the local community. This helps support suppliers and employment with our Finance Team essential in identifying new ways to support other local suppliers and businesses.

No matter what the challenge is, the team is ready to help keep Kibble running and to support our suppliers. For example, during the response to COVID19, the Finance Team set new targets to identify and support local businesses by ensuring prompt payment of any invoices, something our suppliers have appreciated.

The Kibble Family

Being part of the Kibble family gives a real sense of satisfaction knowing that you are helping give young people the best chance at life.

The Finance Team is integral to helping support the services that make a difference in improving the lives of young people.

Posted: December 4, 2020

Volunteer Day has given us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic individuals who dedicate their time to the young people at Kibble. With a friendly face, reliable nature and good listening skills, each volunteer acts as a positive role model to our young people.

Why Volunteer?

People can be motivated to volunteer for a range of reasons. Often, those who want to volunteer at Kibble are taking the first step in changing their career or are interested in giving something back to their local community.

Meet Kibble volunteer Gordon – semi-retired with newfound spare time, he began to reflect on his life. He paid particular attention to his childhood and growing up in Govan. Although there was not much money in the family house, there was plenty of love. The reassurance of constant support, along with the fortunate opportunity of progressing to higher education, lead him to build a successful business. The memory inspired him to think about how he could help change the life of a young person who needed encouragement.

Gordon decided to donate his time to a rewarding, important cause and was keen to find a way to support young people and inspire them to look forward to the future. He reached out to Kibble for volunteering opportunities and has since passed our application process.

Whilst I do not underestimate how difficult this role may be at times, if at the end of a year I can look back and know that I have helped even only one person in any way, this would be reward in itself.
Kibble Volunteer Gordon

What Does Volunteering at Kibble Involve?

Kibble offer care and support to young people aged five – 26 who may have experienced trauma. We provide residential and community support as well as dedicated schools and wellbeing services. Children and young people are offered a loving, safe place that will give them a chance at life.

Volunteers at Kibble will spend time with the young people from playing indoor games, going outside for sports activities, or enjoying day trips to the local beach, playpark or outdoor adventures. The fun can involve taking young people to their clubs or arranging activities from baking to video games.

Kibble Volunteer Allena wasn’t sure what to expect when she started volunteering with the organisation.

The friendly staff welcomed me immediately and instantly made me feel part of the team.
Kibble Volunteer Allena

At first, Allena was to interact with a wider group of young people. Playing cards and board games in a group setting, Allena and the young people had the chance to get to know one another. This was rather than singling out an individual young person immediately, overwhelming them with attention.

Within the group there was a young person who had struggled to communicate with unfamiliar faces previously. However, it was not long at all before this young person was enjoying spending time with Allena.

Allena has now formed a great, trusting relationship with the young person. They participated in the Kibble Bake-Off Challenge together and impressively won first prize.

Allena has expressed her delight in her decision to volunteer at Kibble:

I have watched the young person become more confident as the weeks have gone on and it really has been amazing to see. Volunteering for me has been extremely rewarding. It’s great to know I have played a small part in the young person’s positive development.
Kibble Volunteer Allena

Can I Volunteer at Kibble?

To volunteer at Kibble, we ask for you to be kind, caring and enjoy spending time with young people. As an enthusiastic, fun-loving person, you will encourage young people to join in with activities and help them find hobbies and interests.

It is hoped volunteers will commit to Kibble for at least six months to create meaningful bonds with young people.

Find out more about our application process by emailing your interest to: hr@kibble.org

Posted: December 2, 2020

We celebrated the start of the festive season in style with our Great Christmas Light Switch On. Kibble was transformed into a glittering winter wonderland as children, young people and the care teams decorated houses inside and out to see who would win a prize.

Young people in Skye transformed their house into a dazzling Whoville, home of the Grinch, complete with Dettol sprays in place of baubles and a tangled, life-sized Grinch stuck in the Christmas tree. Of course, there was also Cindy Lou with her blonde hair towering high in the sky and Max the dog. At Arran Villa, fairly lights were strung all around the house and the kids created a video as they showed off their dazzling decorations while heartily singing Jingle Bells. Across the other houses, Santa’s red and white suit was up on the washing line ready for his Christmas eve endeavours, Christmas trees reached the height of the ceilings, and young people and staff dressed up as snowmen, elves and reindeers as they enjoyed warm hot chocolate and took lots of selfies.

With Christmas a particularly difficult time for many of the children and young people at Kibble, we ensure that there are lots of fun and special moments. With many of our original plans unable to go ahead due to this year’s circumstances, we have become even more creative in how we support local charities, foodbanks and families who are struggling this Christmas.

We hope you enjoy viewing our photo gallery below and congratulations to our lucky winners and everyone involved in bringing a little festive magic to Kibble.