Team Effort
Tuesday 9th February 2010
There was something to celebrate today at Firhill as one of our voluntary workers recieved his award for three months work at Firhill Stadium.
James Douglas became the first graduate of our Handyperson Project and received his certificate today in front of an important crowd of well-wishers.
In attendance with our community Director Kieron Dempsey was Manager Ian McCall, Captain Alan Archibald, Tam Weir and John Cameron of Phoenix Futures, MSP Bob Doris, his assistant Ron Mc Williams and some of the present group of Phoenix volunteers.
The Handyperson project is designed to enhance Phoenix Futures' resettlement programme. The project offers the volunteers a three month work experience programme designed to improve improve life chances, skills and employment opportunities.
The benefits of the project can be seen around the stadium where volunteer workers have been used to clean seats in the Jackie Husband stand, cutting and pruning the bushes and grass behind the goals and painting stairs and ceilings.
James has found the project to be an enjoyable experience:
"its great to have had the opportunity to work here -and we have had a good laugh some times, but its not been easy It is good to be here today and get this certificate."
John Cameron Skills2 Employment Co-ordinator said:
“This is a great day for James and for the project itself. Its good to see an organisation that is not formally connected with addictions taking such an interest in this area. That really motivates the Phoenix Futures Client group to just have someone else believing in their worth. This is also a good example for the others when they see what James himself has achieved - it gives them the incentive to push on."
The Gaffer offered his support for the project and congratulated James on his achievement.
"Its great to see this." said local MSP Bob Doris. "We were lucky enough to be there at the beginning of this project and to see James coming through like this is fantastic. To have two local organisations as diverse as Partick Thistle and Phoenix Futures working together in this way is great."
Community Director Kieron Dempsey said, "This is great to see. James has done a power of work at his time at Firhill and its great to see him coming through like this. Hopefully we will be able to expand on this some time to get more volunteers through the programme. Great to see."
