Glasgow Kelvin College

Glasgow Based Further Education College - newsite

Partnerships Making the Difference

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The importance of partnership with other agencies comes to the fore in stressful times.

Lecturer with the Transitions to Learning & Work programme, Joann Duffy, informs us of a wonderful example of collaboration from one of our partners to support vulnerable students in lockdown.

The Transitions programme is targeted at young people from a care-experienced background, many of whom have limited access to resources and support networks.  The College works closely with Action For Children Scotland to ensure the young person receives a holistic and individual level of support which addresses their needs, whether these are financial, emotional or basic information and guidance.  The STAY project with Action for Children is a regional partnership through GCRB with skilled advisors working with each of the Glasgow colleges to help students sustain and continue their studies.

One student had reported that she was struggling to complete her work due to lack of IT resources and was anxious she would be unable to complete her course work.  To add further frustration and stress, she had a presentation and online interview for a childcare apprenticeship coming up.

Access to IT resources is a crucial issue for online learning plans – students may not have connectivity at home or, indeed, be able to afford sufficient data for their phone.

Action for Children stepped in and provided her with a shiny new chromebook to get her up and running.  She was absolutely overjoyed to get a laptop of her very own.  Without a laptop our student could have been facing an additional barrier that could result in her missing out on a future positive destination.

It’s great to see these little acts of #kindness which can make a huge difference to someone’s life and life chances and we’re very grateful that our most vulnerable students have access to the service.

Joann reports that a further student has now received a chromebook and is powering through the coursework!

We thank Joann for her commitment to our students, and our splendid partners at Action for Children Scotland.  We look forward to continuing our work with them in the ‘new normal’.

NHSVisors

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3D Printed visors sent to NHS

Fabulous College staff are using technology to manufacture much-needed visors and face shields for NHS Scotland in the battle against COVID-19.

Lecturer Fraser Dougan, a member of Glasgow Kelvin College’s Computer Aided Design & Technology staff, has set up his own Face Shield/Visor production line to protect frontline NHS staff.  Using 3D print technology, Fraser has been able to produce more than 300 visors to date, the majority of these for Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, and is raising funds to afford the materials for more of these crucial pieces of kit.  He is rolling this out to supermarket frontline workers who are also at risk.

Concerned at the reported shortage of essential PPE, especially face shields which protect those workers at most risk, Fraser set up his own practical response at home to support the Red Cross appeal for equipment.

He has already exceeded his initial target of £2,000 which has helped him to purchase a further printer and he has vowed that any monies not used will be donated to The Red Cross National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal.

The printers – the College’s Ultimakers – have been running almost non-stop and Fraser is shipping visors out to be tested and delivered to where they are most needed in the NHS.

He says,

“I love to see the finished article laid out like this as it really shows how many individual NHS staff members are now given protection that was otherwise missing.  Thanks, everyone, for all the support and kind messages of encouragement.  Just wait ‘til the new printer is up and running and production really takes off!”

The College is delighted to support Fraser’s work and can’t praise him highly enough for giving his time, enthusiasm and expertise to this incredibly worthwhile initiative.

If you would like to support Fraser’s impressive work, you can make a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/producing-face-shields-visors-for-nhs-staff

MADE Barbering Academy Turns 2

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MADE 2nd Birthday logo

MADE, The Academy for Modern Barbering turns 2 in April.

The Academy, a commercial venture run by Glasgow Kelvin College in partnership with Rebel Rebel Barbers, has gone from strength to strength since its launch in April 2018, and has had nearly 50 students come through its doors – eager to embark on a new career and vocation.

We could not be prouder of each of our students, both past and present and what they have achieved at the Academy, and beyond, as they make the move into the barbering world.

Our Academy is what it is today, and we believe a lot of this is down to our students. Because of their hard work and dedication to their craft - we want to celebrate them as we turn 2.

To kick off our 2nd birthday month, we will be highlighting some of our past student’s success stories on our social media pages, with a focus on their transition from the Academy into industry. Each of our students has taken a huge leap to do this course and over 95% are now working as barbers or in salons, which is a true credit to them all.

We’ll also be celebrating all things ‘2’ as we highlight some great stories from past and present students, from the two brothers excelling in our current course, to the lovely news of graduate, Ross Cochran-Brash becoming a dad to twins recently.

The Academy’s success has not gone unnoticed as it is in the running for the ‘Best Training School’ at this years Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards. Voting will re-open at a later date, but keep a lookout on our social pages to see how you can place your vote and support our students!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - just search for ‘madebarberingacademy’ to keep up with our celebrations and for all things MADE.

We wish all our students, graduates and friends in the industry well during this difficult and unprecedented time and look forward to the day when we re-open the Academy doors.

 

Want to find out more about MADE?

Contact John Wilson, Commercial Support Officer, Business Development on 0141 630 4568 or email johnwilson@newsite.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk.

Staff Supporting All Kelvin Communities!

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staff at a local community project

Glasgow Kelvin staff have been out and about this week supporting our students, our communities and our fabulous NHS.

In rapid response to a desperate plea for supplies we raided our stores for science and healthcare products and provided the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital with Disposable Aprons, Bin Liners, Nitrile Gloves, Shoe Covers, Safety Glasses, Face Masks, Disposable Overalls and Dressings Trolleys.  These will be pressed into service at the new Intensive Care area being established at the hospital.

Community organisations were also delighted to accept deliveries of sanitary products in Springburn and Easterhouse, and a team of staff contacted some of our most vulnerable students to provide door-to-door deliveries.  Social distancing and appropriate precautions were observed in all of these visits.

We’re also in the process of re-purposing our healthcare beds for potential use at the new NHS Louisa Jordan facility at the SEC.

We’re all enthusiastic and proud to be able to offer supplies and our support in these complex and trying times and thanks go to Science and Healthcare teaching staff, Admin, Learner Engagement and Equalities for all their efforts.

Significantly, gratitude goes to our intrepid Estates Team for being on hand and working hard to make sure all of this could happen.

Our staff team at Kelvin is a fine example of how passionate the College is about supporting our most vulnerable and exemplifies that we are #allinthistogether.

Thanks, and socially-distanced high-fives to everyone involved!

Successes Through The Lens

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Sylvia Richardson amongst her photos

The Photography department at Glasgow Kelvin College are celebrating two major achievements during these complex times.

Past student Sylvia Richardson has just exhibited a series of images in her exhibition "Mackintosh" at Queens Cross Church in Maryhill.  The portfolio of interiors from The Glasgow School of Art came about directly from a project shot during her time at legacy North Glasgow College in 2011.  These beautiful images carry even more value not since the sad destruction of the building in the recent fire. The exhibition was visited by people from around the globe and generated several newspaper pieces as well as a television interview.

We’re delighted to help Sylvia celebrate her success!

And a great achievement by a current HND year 1 Photography student - Pawel Budzinski has made it as a featured entry in the LensCulture Street Awards 2020.  Pawel studied his NQ at our Easterhouse campus before embarking on the HND programme at Springburn.  The image of his daughter caught the judges attention and Pawel is delighted to have made such an impact so early in his career.

All staff in the Photography department are very proud of the achievements of these hard working students.