Monday 29 October 2007-
Group 1 – Suhler Werkstatten
Gonzalo – At first I was not very fast at Nordic walking then I went ahead, I got used to it after a while, it’s a bit like having crutches, they were like ski sticks. Steffan and Linda helped me (but mostly Linda). We went back to the bus, on the way we saw some statues carved from wood it was too misty to see the ski jump. We took some silly photos
Catherine – We were putting prices that were on sticky labels on to the packs of spices. They were sticky and kept coming off the roll. Lunch was not too bad; I had chicken and rice and fruit salad. Steffan drove the mini bus with Annetta in the front and Linda was in the back with us. We looked around the forest. We saw a squirrel it was brown, it climbed a tree looking for nuts. Linda took lots of photos.
John K – Today I did the packs for spices till 10.00am. We went Nordic walking in the mountains with sticks. They make it easy to walk. When we got back we had lunch 12.00 – 12.30. Steffan asked me to do labels, I said no problem.
John W – Brilliant. Enjoyed the Nordic walking, up in the mountains. I also enjoyed changing from packing the spices to labelling them. I am looking forward to retuning home, to share my experiences with family and friends. I hope to be able to put my new skills to use.
Asha – Hard work, the man Steffan good, help me. Nice walk, woods, lots of trees. Tired now, early night.
Linda – We started our day with packing spices. After 1 hour we were drove to the mountains by minibus to do some Nordic walking (which is walking with short poles). We all took to this challenge like ’ducks to water’. We all kept up with the pace with our guides (Steffan and Annetta). We walked the trails without difficulty and stopped at a pond which had a fountain, also there was carved statues, carved from the trees in the forest. After our walk we returned to our placement for lunch and then back to work. John W and John K were given different tasks to do. They were responsible for putting the price labels on. Catherine was also was given the job of putting on the display label which completed the job, therefore giving us the end product.
The turn around for a pallet 180 boxes (1 box contains 12 packs of spices) is 2 days, and I think we managed to help, in keeping to schedule.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann – Kerry Ann went to bed early so we will add her comments tomorrow.
Scott – I was doing parts for the hoover. I enjoyed it. We had lunch, after that we went to the Directors office for our surprise presents, for doing drilling.
Jagdeep – I enjoyed my day. I was still working with the lights for the bicycles, but today I was fitting the light bulbs, it was a really fiddly job and some people could not do it, but I did it. I received some gifts as a thank you for my work at the placement. I got chocolates, special German tea, jam and a ceramic candle holder.
Martina – Today I put stickers on the lights, and then I fixed the wiring. I received a gift as a thank you.
Sean – Day was good; I worked with the wiring of the lights.
Waltraud – Today Judith and I had a meeting with the management team of Suhler Werkstatten. We are looking for practical ways to set up an exchange programme with their workers and trainees.
Everyone here is inspired by the good progress of the students on this placement programme. There are many aspects of the work that they would to hear more about. Particularly the Embrace and EHWLC partnership programme. To learn more about the use of Makaton and the delivery of Personal Development, Confidence Building, Fostering Independence and Mobility.
As a thank you, to all those who have supported us throughout this placement (supervisors, hostel staff, catering staff and the resident students and minibus drivers) we all contributed some Euros to buy presents. We have made ’Thank You’ cards using the German language that they have learnt.
Judith – We continued from the meeting we had last week, regarding the many aspects of provision available in the UK for learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. The management team are keen to develop a stronger relationship with the existing EHWLC and Embrace Cooperation partnership.
They asked how we were able to communication with non verbal learners. They do have sign language in Germany but not a simplified version like Makaton. They are keen to learn more, as they have no equivalent to enable learners with limited verbal communication skills. They were impressed that this was a realistic and simplified communication tool which allows interaction and communication. I was able to indicate a particular worker who would benefit from learning this simplified form of signing. I gave them some practical examples of commonly used signs.
Monday 29 October 2007
Sunday 28 October 2007
Sunday 28 October 2007
We had a very relaxing morning, no wake up calls! We where all up by 11.00am, those who were hungry and up before this time helped themselves to cereal, toast, juice, tea or coffee.
We had brunch at 12.30 made by Linda, sauted potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheeses, cold meats, bread and jam.
In the afternoon most of us went to McDonalds which is just across the road. It was much nicer that the ones in the UK. We had either coffee, hot chocolate, tea and of course cake (there was not a McDonalds apple pie to be seen, but delicious pastries, gateaux, brownies, and fruit tarts).
In the evening we roasted the chickens that Kerry Ann and John K had prepared last night. We had it with rice mixed vegetables (green, red and yellow pepper and carrots), we also had roast potatoes and an onion and tomato salad. Followed by a home made warm fruit salad (mixed berries, grapes, apples and oranges) and a special cream sauce made with quark (this is similar to a cream cheese but can be used in either sweet of savoury dishes).
We spent the rest of evening either up dating the blog, listening to music on the internet just relaxing in the sitting room watching DVDs.
We are looking forward to our work placements tomorrow. We can not believe we only have 2 more days left on placement.
We have been making thank you cards in German to go with the gifts we have bought for our placement supervisors.
We had a very relaxing morning, no wake up calls! We where all up by 11.00am, those who were hungry and up before this time helped themselves to cereal, toast, juice, tea or coffee.
We had brunch at 12.30 made by Linda, sauted potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheeses, cold meats, bread and jam.
In the afternoon most of us went to McDonalds which is just across the road. It was much nicer that the ones in the UK. We had either coffee, hot chocolate, tea and of course cake (there was not a McDonalds apple pie to be seen, but delicious pastries, gateaux, brownies, and fruit tarts).
In the evening we roasted the chickens that Kerry Ann and John K had prepared last night. We had it with rice mixed vegetables (green, red and yellow pepper and carrots), we also had roast potatoes and an onion and tomato salad. Followed by a home made warm fruit salad (mixed berries, grapes, apples and oranges) and a special cream sauce made with quark (this is similar to a cream cheese but can be used in either sweet of savoury dishes).
We spent the rest of evening either up dating the blog, listening to music on the internet just relaxing in the sitting room watching DVDs.
We are looking forward to our work placements tomorrow. We can not believe we only have 2 more days left on placement.
We have been making thank you cards in German to go with the gifts we have bought for our placement supervisors.
Saturday 27 October 2007
We went to Suhl to shop for presents for our families and friends. We also bought a gift for each of our supervisors who have been helping us at our work placements.
We got up early (but much later than in the week) as the shops close at 2.00pm (for information the shops are closed on Sundays). We travelled by public transport to the shopping centre, where Peter the Manager of our accommodation met up with us. We got into smaller groups to shop. Before going our separate ways we arranged a time to meet up again for hot chocolate, coffee, tea or juice and speciality German cake. These were delicious.
Later on some of the group went to motor bike museum and those left wanted to shop some more as they still had more presents to buy (and so little time).
When we got back we went to the supermarket (more shopping!!!) to buy our dinner. We cooked pizza and made coleslaw and potato salad served with garlic bread. Waltraud make a blueberry quark desert. Kerry Ann and John K prepared the chicken for tomorrow’s Caribbean dinner.
After dinner we showered and got ready in our lounge wear for our evening workshop. We did a relaxation exercise and then thought about the successes in our work placement. We took it in turns to sit in the hot seat and share our individual stories of success. In turn we said what qualities we had demonstration in the situations we had each described. We all went to bed feeling positive about our experiences and the qualities we have shown.
We went to Suhl to shop for presents for our families and friends. We also bought a gift for each of our supervisors who have been helping us at our work placements.
We got up early (but much later than in the week) as the shops close at 2.00pm (for information the shops are closed on Sundays). We travelled by public transport to the shopping centre, where Peter the Manager of our accommodation met up with us. We got into smaller groups to shop. Before going our separate ways we arranged a time to meet up again for hot chocolate, coffee, tea or juice and speciality German cake. These were delicious.
Later on some of the group went to motor bike museum and those left wanted to shop some more as they still had more presents to buy (and so little time).
When we got back we went to the supermarket (more shopping!!!) to buy our dinner. We cooked pizza and made coleslaw and potato salad served with garlic bread. Waltraud make a blueberry quark desert. Kerry Ann and John K prepared the chicken for tomorrow’s Caribbean dinner.
After dinner we showered and got ready in our lounge wear for our evening workshop. We did a relaxation exercise and then thought about the successes in our work placement. We took it in turns to sit in the hot seat and share our individual stories of success. In turn we said what qualities we had demonstration in the situations we had each described. We all went to bed feeling positive about our experiences and the qualities we have shown.
Group 1 – Suhler Werkstatten
Gonzalo –Today we did spice packing and completed the work on time i.e. before we finished at 2.00pm.
Catherine – Day was fun. I enjoyed getting on with my work independently. I found the work relaxing.
Asha – Work hard, good (Asha was able to work without much assistance, she remembered to count 4 pieces of spice and turn the package around to put 4 more on the other side, and then asking if she did good).
John K – Day was brilliant working with the team. I finished my job and completed 2 boxes of spices. At the end of my working day, I tidied up my work area, ready of Monday. And I asked my Supervisor if we would be given more work Monday (the answer was yes). The team would like to present Steffan (our supervisor) a gift on our last working day (Tuesday) as a thank you for looking after us at the placement.
John W – Day brilliant. I worked on my own and completed 4 boxes for the spices. Our job was to fill packages with 8 spices made up of 1 larger one and 3 smaller. As I could not locate many larger spices my supervisor said that I could use 5 smaller ones and 3 larger spices.
Asha – Good, work good.
Linda – Amazing that the team worked very well and independently after 1 full day (9:00 – 2:00). We have a short break in the morning at about 11:15, and a 30 minute lunch break at 12:15. None of the team grumbles or moans about our shift and accept that this is structure of our work placement. Many of our German co-workers make an effort to visit our work area to say hello and make conversation. Our supervisor is happy to translate as we are still getting to grips with the language. One guy asked if any of the group liked horses. He was happy to share a beautifully illustrated book on horses which each of us took turns in looking out (from the smile on his face he seemed very happy to have communicated with us). We have been made very welcome at our work placement and we all have been accepted as a team player. And the best part is that the students are doing real work that has an end product, and they are learning to be responsible in the work place. This evening Judith and I went to the supermarket to buy and later cook this evening’s dinner (we have the entire accommodation to ourselves so we can cook for ourselves), We saw what will be the end product ‘SPICES FOR SALE’ – saffron, anis, cinnamon, vanilla etc.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann – I enjoyed putting the bulbs we started making yesterday into bags. I like working, just to get on with it and without talking. I love my work experience, I have a good attitude we filled so many boxes. I keep asking Herr Glodiß for more bags. He can not believe how good and fast we are working. I just like to get on with it. This time when I asked him for more he brought 3 packs for bags, this made him smile. This work experience placement has been the time of my life. I love working.
Scott– It has been all right, I was using the drill again. I enjoyed it. I would be happy to do this for a living as it was fun.
Jagdeep – I enjoyed the work today. We had to put a red light and white light and a bit that goes on to the wheel of a bike (this makes the lights go on when you pedal), into clear plastic bags. I like the shower in our house, we shower and we wash our hair in the evening. If we did this in the morning and the went out with damp or wet hair, it would freeze and make us ill.
Martina – I stayed home today to look after Sean and it was boring. In the afternoon we went to the local shops to look around.
Sean– I did not feel to well when I woke this morning. I went back to bed and felt better later. In the afternoon I went for a walk and felt much better and went to the shop.
Judith – Each of the Social Enterprises where our learners have been doing their placements, offer employment opportunities, predominantly for people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Work programmes are calculated to meet the individual needs of the employees, in terms of their contracted hours (full or part time), associated payments, tasks and responsibilities given. In addition both social enterprises offer vocational training in order to support the needs of their employees. The also have access to physical activities (on and off site) and emotional and social support from professionals again on site. Breakfast and lunch are provided to meet any dietary requirements at no extra cost.
Both Social Enterprises are certified and regulated to the European ISO Management Equality standards. Furthermore they have to follow stringent Health & Safety regulations according to German laws, protecting young and vulnerable people.
A regularly elected employee’s council contribute actively to the running and development of the Social Enterprise, this is part of the Social Enterprise constitution
Our learners worked so well and independently, that I had the opportunity to take a short break and access my e-mails in the manager’s office. I carried out interviews in preparation for the blog.
Each of the learners were asked what words they would find useful to know in German, they are as follows:
Bag = tüte
Bulb = knolle
Clip = kammer
Light = licht
Cable = kabel
Panel (of switches) = schalttafel
Wire = leitungen
Tube = rohr
Plastic = plastic
Throw away = wegwerfen
Press & push = dröcken (also appears on doors)
Help = helfen
Bicycle = fuhrrad
Vacuum = straubsauger
Manager = Direktor
Machines = maschine
Box/carton = verpacken
Fire alarm = feueralarm
Listen = hören
Fit = passen
Fix = befestige
Work = arbeiten
Worker = arbeiter
Gonzalo –Today we did spice packing and completed the work on time i.e. before we finished at 2.00pm.
Catherine – Day was fun. I enjoyed getting on with my work independently. I found the work relaxing.
Asha – Work hard, good (Asha was able to work without much assistance, she remembered to count 4 pieces of spice and turn the package around to put 4 more on the other side, and then asking if she did good).
John K – Day was brilliant working with the team. I finished my job and completed 2 boxes of spices. At the end of my working day, I tidied up my work area, ready of Monday. And I asked my Supervisor if we would be given more work Monday (the answer was yes). The team would like to present Steffan (our supervisor) a gift on our last working day (Tuesday) as a thank you for looking after us at the placement.
John W – Day brilliant. I worked on my own and completed 4 boxes for the spices. Our job was to fill packages with 8 spices made up of 1 larger one and 3 smaller. As I could not locate many larger spices my supervisor said that I could use 5 smaller ones and 3 larger spices.
Asha – Good, work good.
Linda – Amazing that the team worked very well and independently after 1 full day (9:00 – 2:00). We have a short break in the morning at about 11:15, and a 30 minute lunch break at 12:15. None of the team grumbles or moans about our shift and accept that this is structure of our work placement. Many of our German co-workers make an effort to visit our work area to say hello and make conversation. Our supervisor is happy to translate as we are still getting to grips with the language. One guy asked if any of the group liked horses. He was happy to share a beautifully illustrated book on horses which each of us took turns in looking out (from the smile on his face he seemed very happy to have communicated with us). We have been made very welcome at our work placement and we all have been accepted as a team player. And the best part is that the students are doing real work that has an end product, and they are learning to be responsible in the work place. This evening Judith and I went to the supermarket to buy and later cook this evening’s dinner (we have the entire accommodation to ourselves so we can cook for ourselves), We saw what will be the end product ‘SPICES FOR SALE’ – saffron, anis, cinnamon, vanilla etc.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann – I enjoyed putting the bulbs we started making yesterday into bags. I like working, just to get on with it and without talking. I love my work experience, I have a good attitude we filled so many boxes. I keep asking Herr Glodiß for more bags. He can not believe how good and fast we are working. I just like to get on with it. This time when I asked him for more he brought 3 packs for bags, this made him smile. This work experience placement has been the time of my life. I love working.
Scott– It has been all right, I was using the drill again. I enjoyed it. I would be happy to do this for a living as it was fun.
Jagdeep – I enjoyed the work today. We had to put a red light and white light and a bit that goes on to the wheel of a bike (this makes the lights go on when you pedal), into clear plastic bags. I like the shower in our house, we shower and we wash our hair in the evening. If we did this in the morning and the went out with damp or wet hair, it would freeze and make us ill.
Martina – I stayed home today to look after Sean and it was boring. In the afternoon we went to the local shops to look around.
Sean– I did not feel to well when I woke this morning. I went back to bed and felt better later. In the afternoon I went for a walk and felt much better and went to the shop.
Judith – Each of the Social Enterprises where our learners have been doing their placements, offer employment opportunities, predominantly for people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Work programmes are calculated to meet the individual needs of the employees, in terms of their contracted hours (full or part time), associated payments, tasks and responsibilities given. In addition both social enterprises offer vocational training in order to support the needs of their employees. The also have access to physical activities (on and off site) and emotional and social support from professionals again on site. Breakfast and lunch are provided to meet any dietary requirements at no extra cost.
Both Social Enterprises are certified and regulated to the European ISO Management Equality standards. Furthermore they have to follow stringent Health & Safety regulations according to German laws, protecting young and vulnerable people.
A regularly elected employee’s council contribute actively to the running and development of the Social Enterprise, this is part of the Social Enterprise constitution
Our learners worked so well and independently, that I had the opportunity to take a short break and access my e-mails in the manager’s office. I carried out interviews in preparation for the blog.
Each of the learners were asked what words they would find useful to know in German, they are as follows:
Bag = tüte
Bulb = knolle
Clip = kammer
Light = licht
Cable = kabel
Panel (of switches) = schalttafel
Wire = leitungen
Tube = rohr
Plastic = plastic
Throw away = wegwerfen
Press & push = dröcken (also appears on doors)
Help = helfen
Bicycle = fuhrrad
Vacuum = straubsauger
Manager = Direktor
Machines = maschine
Box/carton = verpacken
Fire alarm = feueralarm
Listen = hören
Fit = passen
Fix = befestige
Work = arbeiten
Worker = arbeiter
Friday 26 October 2007
Thursday 25 October
Group 1 – Suhler Werkstatten
Gonzalos – Tiring but good.
Catherine – I was not looking forward to the day. However, my day got a little better. I worked without much supervision . We were invited to paint and I painted a dolphin. We then went back to work and managed to finish our job. When we left the work placement, I was happy to show off my little bit of German by saying thank you and goodbye.
John K – We finished the jobs which we started yesterday. We put spices into the packages and stacked up the completed parcels. We did some painting which I found very relaxing. We were allowed to paint whatever we wanted to.
John W – Enjoyable. I enjoyed doing the packing of spices and the painting.
Asha – Linda helped me, counting the spices.
Linda –Can not believe this is only my 3rd full day at the placement as the time has gone quickly. We arrived on time and went straight to our work stations. We completed our work which was sorting the best of the spices and putting them into packages. After 1 hour the group was invited to do some free style painting. We went to the paint room and were given water colours and a light wooden board from one of the work shop in which to express ourselves artistically. Judging by the reaction from the team they found this to be very therapeutic. After this session we returned to the spices before going to lunch. By the end our working day (2.00pm) we had managed to complete the job, before the taxi arrived to return us to our accommodation.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann – In the morning the work was a bit tricky. Jagdeep got into the hang of. I was passing these to a German Frau. I didn’t want lunch, I had two apples and a banana. Later, after lunch we came to do light fittings for bicycles, I was doing very well. One of the German workers came up to me and said in English that I was very beautiful, it made me giggle and blush. I am looking forward to telling people about my experiences here in Germany.
Scott – I did loads of work. Using the drill has been fun. I was not sure what it’s for, the supervisor did tell Judith, but we didn’t really understand what he said at first but then he acted it out – its for a vacuum cleaner.
Jagdeep –I did well this morning, we made electrical parts for a train set. The brown bit was hard to fit, but I could do it. After a lovely lunch, we went to work at a different work station where I was glad to use the machine to fit the lights together.
Martina – The work was a little bit awkward at first when we started the job. Once I got the hang of it, it got better.
Sean– It’s been good. I have been threading wires through a rubber tube (this is for a bicycle lamp). This will fit onto the bulbs that Kerry Ann and Jagdeep were working on.. When we get back I am going to have some more of my birthday cake
Judith – Another busy day, all the students have been learning new skills, developing friendships and interacting with our German partners. The catering students who have been preparing our meals, are really trying to give us food that the students will enjoy. We have looked at the link that Harry T (EHWLC) put on the blog for us and are now able to ask for fruit in German (mostly apples and bananas).
We are really making the most of our time here in Germany. We start the day at 7.00am, we leave at 7.30am for breakfast at the Catering College. From here we are collected by taxi and driven to our placements arriving between 9.00 & 9.15am. We have a short break in the morning, followed by a 45mins lunch break, then another short break in the afternoon. We finish our working day at either 2.00 or 2.30pm when our drivers are waiting to collect us. When we get back to our accommodation we can either go shopping, have a rest , watch DVDs or use the computers (to check comments on our blog). Dinner is served at 5.00pm by the catering students (who provide our breakfast every morning). We also share the accommodation with them. After dinner we have planned fun activities i.e German language, personal development workshops, creative arts or relaxing with free time.
NB Waltraud has kindly seen to our laundry. However, each student is responsible for sorting out their clothing (Waltraud and I have supported those who need a little extra guidance)
Group 1 – Suhler Werkstatten
Gonzalos – Tiring but good.
Catherine – I was not looking forward to the day. However, my day got a little better. I worked without much supervision . We were invited to paint and I painted a dolphin. We then went back to work and managed to finish our job. When we left the work placement, I was happy to show off my little bit of German by saying thank you and goodbye.
John K – We finished the jobs which we started yesterday. We put spices into the packages and stacked up the completed parcels. We did some painting which I found very relaxing. We were allowed to paint whatever we wanted to.
John W – Enjoyable. I enjoyed doing the packing of spices and the painting.
Asha – Linda helped me, counting the spices.
Linda –Can not believe this is only my 3rd full day at the placement as the time has gone quickly. We arrived on time and went straight to our work stations. We completed our work which was sorting the best of the spices and putting them into packages. After 1 hour the group was invited to do some free style painting. We went to the paint room and were given water colours and a light wooden board from one of the work shop in which to express ourselves artistically. Judging by the reaction from the team they found this to be very therapeutic. After this session we returned to the spices before going to lunch. By the end our working day (2.00pm) we had managed to complete the job, before the taxi arrived to return us to our accommodation.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann – In the morning the work was a bit tricky. Jagdeep got into the hang of. I was passing these to a German Frau. I didn’t want lunch, I had two apples and a banana. Later, after lunch we came to do light fittings for bicycles, I was doing very well. One of the German workers came up to me and said in English that I was very beautiful, it made me giggle and blush. I am looking forward to telling people about my experiences here in Germany.
Scott – I did loads of work. Using the drill has been fun. I was not sure what it’s for, the supervisor did tell Judith, but we didn’t really understand what he said at first but then he acted it out – its for a vacuum cleaner.
Jagdeep –I did well this morning, we made electrical parts for a train set. The brown bit was hard to fit, but I could do it. After a lovely lunch, we went to work at a different work station where I was glad to use the machine to fit the lights together.
Martina – The work was a little bit awkward at first when we started the job. Once I got the hang of it, it got better.
Sean– It’s been good. I have been threading wires through a rubber tube (this is for a bicycle lamp). This will fit onto the bulbs that Kerry Ann and Jagdeep were working on.. When we get back I am going to have some more of my birthday cake
Judith – Another busy day, all the students have been learning new skills, developing friendships and interacting with our German partners. The catering students who have been preparing our meals, are really trying to give us food that the students will enjoy. We have looked at the link that Harry T (EHWLC) put on the blog for us and are now able to ask for fruit in German (mostly apples and bananas).
We are really making the most of our time here in Germany. We start the day at 7.00am, we leave at 7.30am for breakfast at the Catering College. From here we are collected by taxi and driven to our placements arriving between 9.00 & 9.15am. We have a short break in the morning, followed by a 45mins lunch break, then another short break in the afternoon. We finish our working day at either 2.00 or 2.30pm when our drivers are waiting to collect us. When we get back to our accommodation we can either go shopping, have a rest , watch DVDs or use the computers (to check comments on our blog). Dinner is served at 5.00pm by the catering students (who provide our breakfast every morning). We also share the accommodation with them. After dinner we have planned fun activities i.e German language, personal development workshops, creative arts or relaxing with free time.
NB Waltraud has kindly seen to our laundry. However, each student is responsible for sorting out their clothing (Waltraud and I have supported those who need a little extra guidance)
Wednesday 24 October 2007
NEW Group 1 Suhlerwerkstatten
John W: The food is much better here than at the last placement. I enjoyed the tour, we packed boxes and I cut my finger, but Judith came to the rescue as she had her 1st aid bag with her.
John K: Brilliant. New work placement fine, got to meet Steffan who is the supervisor. I also met the Director who explained the company and then gave us a guided tour. My picture was taken while I was stapling the walls of a toy house. These houses are sold by catalogue.
Asha: Tired, feet hurt (Judith: Asha bopped 'til she dropped and ended up with a big blister on her toe. She had a sleep before dinner and is now back on form!!!)
Gonzalo: My day was ok, at first I was unsure on what to do, but Steffan, Judith and Linda showed me and I was then able to complete the task.
Catherine: I enjoyed my first day at my new work placement. One of my jobs was to label and neatly stack cartons into boxes ready for the lorries. My second job was working with spices. I had to put 8 pieces of Star Anise into packages, this was fine, but after a while the air was drying my throat so I got myself a drink.
Linda: Today I worked as part of the team with Group 2.
Judith: The group settled quickly to the new environment. The tour given by the manager,
better know as the Dutchman aka Herr Roland Holland-Letz was very interesting and all the students were fascinated. This morning Peter (house manager) came to our rescue and drove us to the other college for breakfast as he knew (he was dancing with us!!!) we had all been up late dancing and having a good time. John W had asked if we could all have an extra half hour in bed, which we did, and all the students were up and ready on time. But Peter was a sight for sore eyes.
NEW Group 2 Schleusingen
Martina: My first job at the placement was to measure and cut plastic for bicycle parts, which was enjoyable.
Sean: I enjoyed the 1st day of my new placement. I was ready for a new challenge. Today I was responsible for measuring and cutting lengths of black plastic for bicycles.
Scott: All right. New placement is a good challenge. I was assembling parts for vacuum cleaners. For this job I had to use a drill. Before I could use this I was given health and safety training.
Jagdeep: I enjoyed painting the clock. After this we were given the task of assembling bicycle lamps, which was in 2 parts. Our supervisor would check our work and if there was a error we were asked to put it right. We ended our day by attending a presentation given by Waltraud. We introduced ourselves and shared what we did in London and why we where here. We also talked aboutour hobbies and other interests.
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the presentation about London. The presentation was for the German students who we joined. It was nice for the German students to have some knowledge for our country. Afterwards at our new placements we painted clock faces. These clock are unique as they do not have numbers on, they had flowers or dots instead.
John W: The food is much better here than at the last placement. I enjoyed the tour, we packed boxes and I cut my finger, but Judith came to the rescue as she had her 1st aid bag with her.
John K: Brilliant. New work placement fine, got to meet Steffan who is the supervisor. I also met the Director who explained the company and then gave us a guided tour. My picture was taken while I was stapling the walls of a toy house. These houses are sold by catalogue.
Asha: Tired, feet hurt (Judith: Asha bopped 'til she dropped and ended up with a big blister on her toe. She had a sleep before dinner and is now back on form!!!)
Gonzalo: My day was ok, at first I was unsure on what to do, but Steffan, Judith and Linda showed me and I was then able to complete the task.
Catherine: I enjoyed my first day at my new work placement. One of my jobs was to label and neatly stack cartons into boxes ready for the lorries. My second job was working with spices. I had to put 8 pieces of Star Anise into packages, this was fine, but after a while the air was drying my throat so I got myself a drink.
Linda: Today I worked as part of the team with Group 2.
Judith: The group settled quickly to the new environment. The tour given by the manager,
better know as the Dutchman aka Herr Roland Holland-Letz was very interesting and all the students were fascinated. This morning Peter (house manager) came to our rescue and drove us to the other college for breakfast as he knew (he was dancing with us!!!) we had all been up late dancing and having a good time. John W had asked if we could all have an extra half hour in bed, which we did, and all the students were up and ready on time. But Peter was a sight for sore eyes.
NEW Group 2 Schleusingen
Martina: My first job at the placement was to measure and cut plastic for bicycle parts, which was enjoyable.
Sean: I enjoyed the 1st day of my new placement. I was ready for a new challenge. Today I was responsible for measuring and cutting lengths of black plastic for bicycles.
Scott: All right. New placement is a good challenge. I was assembling parts for vacuum cleaners. For this job I had to use a drill. Before I could use this I was given health and safety training.
Jagdeep: I enjoyed painting the clock. After this we were given the task of assembling bicycle lamps, which was in 2 parts. Our supervisor would check our work and if there was a error we were asked to put it right. We ended our day by attending a presentation given by Waltraud. We introduced ourselves and shared what we did in London and why we where here. We also talked aboutour hobbies and other interests.
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the presentation about London. The presentation was for the German students who we joined. It was nice for the German students to have some knowledge for our country. Afterwards at our new placements we painted clock faces. These clock are unique as they do not have numbers on, they had flowers or dots instead.
Group 1 - Suhlerwerkstatten
John K: I enjoyed the day. The best part of the day was meeting the director and being presented with a gift (biscuits, tea chocolates and ceramic candle holder). I said good bye to the friends I had made, if anyone asked how I enjoyed the placement I said FANTASTIC.
John W: We were making control panels for vacuum cleaners. It was hurting my fingers, so Judith came and helped. We made a good team with Gonzalo. I put in the buttons, Gonzalo added the metal clip and Judith connected the wires. It was a very fiddly job. We finished everything in the morning and after lunch we where asked to go to the Directors office, his Secretary made us coffee. We were given presentation packs.
Gonzalo: Excellent at the placement today, I finished off my job which was assembling vacuum clearer parts and putting them into plastic bags ready for the next stage. When I finished this I then helped John W with his job. The group and I were invited to meet the Director in his office who thanked us for all our work. We were given a goodie bag as an extra thank you
for our help.
Asha: Happy, disco music and dancing. I going to dance with my friends. Dinner 1st. Phone mum and me sister.
Catherine: When we got back from work, we went shopping and I bought myself a pink furry hat and scarf, because it is very cold 1st thing in the morning. the best part of the day was the afternoon getting ready for the disco.
Judith: In the afternoon Waltraud brought Group 2 to see Werkstatten to see what the placement was like. The Director invited students from Group 1 who had now finished their work placement. He asked us all about our college and asked about attitudes in the UK toward people with learning difficulties and disabilities (Waltraud translated), he was very impressed with what he heard and interested in developing further links. He presented the students with a goodie bag and I was given carved wooden picture.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the day. We visited a castle it was 800 years old. We also visited the other work station where group one have been working. I have never been there before, I enjoyed that. Then we went back to our work placement to package saffron which then goes to the supermarkets in Germans and the rest for the world. The we met the Manager (Herr Holland-Letz) he gave us T-Shirt with our photos on - I LOVE IT, then he gave us coffee and cakes.
Sean: It was a good day, i was surprised at breakfast as I was given a birthday cake. We decided to keep it for later and share it with the German students at the disco later in the evening. On our visit to the castle, Scott, Linda and I walked a 140 steps to the top to look at the view. We went back to the placement and I put the spice packets into boxes after sealing them with a label. We were given a T-Shirt with our photo as a thank-you for all our hard work
Scott: We went to a castle, Steffan was our guide. We walked all the way to the top (140 steps) we could see for miles.
Jagdeep: In the morning we went to visit a castle, then we went back to our placement to package spices. In the afternoon we had tea and cake with the Director who thanked us with a T-Shirt.
Martina: It was a really nice day, I will miss being here and will miss working with Steffan.
Linda: Ok I'll start with the evening!!! At our accommodation our host students had a disco. This started at 6.00pm. The students from EHWLC were the first on and last off the dance floor. Our German hosts took a while to warm up, but once they started to dance there was no stopping them. Like most parties people are stuck in their own little groups, but as the evening wore on every one mixed. Peter the house manager arrived and that's when the parts took off.
Waltraud: It was nice to see there was no barriers between the German and UK participants.
John K: I enjoyed the day. The best part of the day was meeting the director and being presented with a gift (biscuits, tea chocolates and ceramic candle holder). I said good bye to the friends I had made, if anyone asked how I enjoyed the placement I said FANTASTIC.
John W: We were making control panels for vacuum cleaners. It was hurting my fingers, so Judith came and helped. We made a good team with Gonzalo. I put in the buttons, Gonzalo added the metal clip and Judith connected the wires. It was a very fiddly job. We finished everything in the morning and after lunch we where asked to go to the Directors office, his Secretary made us coffee. We were given presentation packs.
Gonzalo: Excellent at the placement today, I finished off my job which was assembling vacuum clearer parts and putting them into plastic bags ready for the next stage. When I finished this I then helped John W with his job. The group and I were invited to meet the Director in his office who thanked us for all our work. We were given a goodie bag as an extra thank you
for our help.
Asha: Happy, disco music and dancing. I going to dance with my friends. Dinner 1st. Phone mum and me sister.
Catherine: When we got back from work, we went shopping and I bought myself a pink furry hat and scarf, because it is very cold 1st thing in the morning. the best part of the day was the afternoon getting ready for the disco.
Judith: In the afternoon Waltraud brought Group 2 to see Werkstatten to see what the placement was like. The Director invited students from Group 1 who had now finished their work placement. He asked us all about our college and asked about attitudes in the UK toward people with learning difficulties and disabilities (Waltraud translated), he was very impressed with what he heard and interested in developing further links. He presented the students with a goodie bag and I was given carved wooden picture.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the day. We visited a castle it was 800 years old. We also visited the other work station where group one have been working. I have never been there before, I enjoyed that. Then we went back to our work placement to package saffron which then goes to the supermarkets in Germans and the rest for the world. The we met the Manager (Herr Holland-Letz) he gave us T-Shirt with our photos on - I LOVE IT, then he gave us coffee and cakes.
Sean: It was a good day, i was surprised at breakfast as I was given a birthday cake. We decided to keep it for later and share it with the German students at the disco later in the evening. On our visit to the castle, Scott, Linda and I walked a 140 steps to the top to look at the view. We went back to the placement and I put the spice packets into boxes after sealing them with a label. We were given a T-Shirt with our photo as a thank-you for all our hard work
Scott: We went to a castle, Steffan was our guide. We walked all the way to the top (140 steps) we could see for miles.
Jagdeep: In the morning we went to visit a castle, then we went back to our placement to package spices. In the afternoon we had tea and cake with the Director who thanked us with a T-Shirt.
Martina: It was a really nice day, I will miss being here and will miss working with Steffan.
Linda: Ok I'll start with the evening!!! At our accommodation our host students had a disco. This started at 6.00pm. The students from EHWLC were the first on and last off the dance floor. Our German hosts took a while to warm up, but once they started to dance there was no stopping them. Like most parties people are stuck in their own little groups, but as the evening wore on every one mixed. Peter the house manager arrived and that's when the parts took off.
Waltraud: It was nice to see there was no barriers between the German and UK participants.
German speaking online resource
Hello,
Here's a fun and easy way to learn how to speak more German - an online resource that teaches you German fruit and vegetables!
Click on this link:
http://www.wlc.ac.uk/german/fruitveg.htm
You will need headphones or speakers on the computer as it uses audio.
Posted by the EHWLC design team
Here's a fun and easy way to learn how to speak more German - an online resource that teaches you German fruit and vegetables!
Click on this link:
http://www.wlc.ac.uk/german/fruitveg.htm
You will need headphones or speakers on the computer as it uses audio.
Posted by the EHWLC design team
Monday 22 October 2007
Monday 22 October 2007
Group 1 ~ Suhler Workstatten
John K~ I finished the job i started last Friday then later we watched a slide show about London which Waltraud had made. Then we watched one about Germany. It was brilliant, fantastic.
John W ~ I'm looking forward to going home.
Gonzolo ~ I was putting screws into wooden rings. I had to make sure they where done up tightly, I completed about 20. Then, after lunch we stayed in the canteen to watch a slide show, which included pictures of Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and our College. Then we looked a German sites and Tourist Attractions.
Asha ~ Work! good. Lunch soup. Phoned mum said hello to sister, nice tea, happy and early night.
Catherine ~ I put things in a box and then stickers on it. It was quiet easy. There was a hot dog for lunch. Dinner was nice, I bought some juice and I am going to keep it in the fridge which is in my room.
Group 2 ~ Schleusingen
Sean ~ I enjoyed the Nordic walking in the Thuringen forest. We had walking sticks (like skiing sticks). It was nice to drive through the villages and see the houses.
Scott ~ We went in the forest doing Nordic walking, it was alright but I was worn out. We went back for lunch and I had pudding.
Martina ~ Very enjoyable, the walk was nice.
Jagdeep ~ We where packing boxes, we worked as team and we completed most of the work there.
Kerry Ann ~ I was doing the job of the supervisor, I used my initiative. Stephan (the Supervisor), had to keep going off as he needed to drive other walkers to the meeting place in the forest.
Judith ~ The drive through the villages to the Thuringen forest was spectacular, the trees are mixture of yellows, greens, oranges, reds and browns. It was just beautiful.
Group 1 ~ Suhler Workstatten
John K~ I finished the job i started last Friday then later we watched a slide show about London which Waltraud had made. Then we watched one about Germany. It was brilliant, fantastic.
John W ~ I'm looking forward to going home.
Gonzolo ~ I was putting screws into wooden rings. I had to make sure they where done up tightly, I completed about 20. Then, after lunch we stayed in the canteen to watch a slide show, which included pictures of Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and our College. Then we looked a German sites and Tourist Attractions.
Asha ~ Work! good. Lunch soup. Phoned mum said hello to sister, nice tea, happy and early night.
Catherine ~ I put things in a box and then stickers on it. It was quiet easy. There was a hot dog for lunch. Dinner was nice, I bought some juice and I am going to keep it in the fridge which is in my room.
Group 2 ~ Schleusingen
Sean ~ I enjoyed the Nordic walking in the Thuringen forest. We had walking sticks (like skiing sticks). It was nice to drive through the villages and see the houses.
Scott ~ We went in the forest doing Nordic walking, it was alright but I was worn out. We went back for lunch and I had pudding.
Martina ~ Very enjoyable, the walk was nice.
Jagdeep ~ We where packing boxes, we worked as team and we completed most of the work there.
Kerry Ann ~ I was doing the job of the supervisor, I used my initiative. Stephan (the Supervisor), had to keep going off as he needed to drive other walkers to the meeting place in the forest.
Judith ~ The drive through the villages to the Thuringen forest was spectacular, the trees are mixture of yellows, greens, oranges, reds and browns. It was just beautiful.
Sunday 21ST October
After a long lie in, we had breakfast (prepared by Sean, Gonzalo and Catherine & Waltraud) and updating the blog (John K, Scott, Gonnzalo, John W and Judith).
We cooked a Sunday roast, we cooked 3 chickens, stuffing (mostly for the vegetarians), roast potatoes, roasted vegetables broccoli cabbage carrots mushrooms gravy. Followed by Waltrauds Thurgen speciality blue berry quark desert. Cooked by the chefs John K, \John W, Gonzolo, Scott and Judith. Cleared up by Jadeep, KerryAnn Scott and Maritina. Asha and Martina.
In the evening we did the visible me activity..... Is this a process developed by Embrace to support young people to find out who they really are. Sharing the good qualities beyond the superficial exteria. We sat in a circle and took it in turns to sit in the hot seat. the rest of the group take it in turns to give 2 qualities that they can see whilst looking into the eyes of the person sitting in the hot seat. The list is then read back to the person in the hot seat who identifies the quality they most inspired to hear that other people saw in them, which was then highlighted. this was a moving and inspiring session very one walked away with their invisible me qualities listed.
After a long lie in, we had breakfast (prepared by Sean, Gonzalo and Catherine & Waltraud) and updating the blog (John K, Scott, Gonnzalo, John W and Judith).
We cooked a Sunday roast, we cooked 3 chickens, stuffing (mostly for the vegetarians), roast potatoes, roasted vegetables broccoli cabbage carrots mushrooms gravy. Followed by Waltrauds Thurgen speciality blue berry quark desert. Cooked by the chefs John K, \John W, Gonzolo, Scott and Judith. Cleared up by Jadeep, KerryAnn Scott and Maritina. Asha and Martina.
In the evening we did the visible me activity..... Is this a process developed by Embrace to support young people to find out who they really are. Sharing the good qualities beyond the superficial exteria. We sat in a circle and took it in turns to sit in the hot seat. the rest of the group take it in turns to give 2 qualities that they can see whilst looking into the eyes of the person sitting in the hot seat. The list is then read back to the person in the hot seat who identifies the quality they most inspired to hear that other people saw in them, which was then highlighted. this was a moving and inspiring session very one walked away with their invisible me qualities listed.
Sunday 21 October 2007
Saturday 20th October 2007.
We had such a busy day yesterday that there was no time to update our blog when we got home (it really does feel like home now!!!). So the following comments all relate to yesterdays activiities.
Catherine: After breakfast I helped to clear up, then we went to the shops. We went to see a Catholic church in Meiningen, but there wasn't a service. I met the Father and the Deacon, I told them that I am an alter girl at my church in England and I hold the bible for Father Anthony and Father Richard. The theatre was lovely, and Peter's wife Inga and his daughter Katia and her boyfriend came with us, but I sat next to Peter.
John W: I liked the Italian restauraant, the food was really good, I had spaghetti bolognaise. The waiters were really nice. Afterwards we went to the theatre, it was quite a nice building. It looked nicer at nightime than it did when we saw it in the daytime. I likeed the show, they sang rock and roll, we could see the musicians in the pit, they were dressed in 70's clothes.
Martina: I found it a very nice day out. Peter was very nice showing us around the town were he lives, on his day off. I enjoyed the food and the waiters were nice too.
Gonzalo: Where do I start! Peter took us to see a church and some of us prayed. We went to see the Protestant church, but it was locked so we couldn't get in. We walked around the shops, but most of them were shut. The restaurant was nice, but my pizza wasn't as spicy as I would have liked. The show, even though I don't speak German, was good and I understood the story. Waltraud explained the bits I hadn't got in the interval when we had icecream.
John K: My favourite is the history of Meiningen, especially about the church. All the catholic churches are quite new and built since the Berlin wall came down, because the GDR (German Democtatic Republic) was a prodistant country (so there are only old prodistant churchs). The restaurant was very good, we all laughhed and giggled and gossiped. I liked the show, it made me laugh, it was fantastic.
Scott: We went to a church, an Italian restaurant and the theatre, I liked the songs. I recognised some of them, like 'I love rock and roll' but they channged some of the words. It was called MS Madagaskar and was set on a cruise ship. There was a stowaway and a mother and son who had not seen each other for years and two bags that looked the same (one with a cat in it) and lots of people falling in love and splitting up and falling in love again.
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the meal and going to the church, I had asked if we could go to one because I like going when I am at home. The show, well those boys really rocked it, in their shorts (they were all on holiday on the ship) I really enjoyed it, they were singing and moving, there was talent and energy on the stage. It was very lively, a good night. I would like to go again - those legs eleven!
Jagdeep: I enjoyed the whole day, from the beginning to the ending. I thought the singing was good. It was my first time, I have never never been in a theatre before. I would like to go again.
Asha: The show - nice. Music - good. Home - phoned Mum, sad, mum cried. Then bed - sleep.
Sean: Going to see the performance, it was funny. The cast of actors were very good. I liked it when they were singing, I recognised some of the songs. I liked 'I love rock and roll', by Suzie Quatro (she was from the 70's) and 'I feel good' by James Brown, the godfather of soul (he died recently).
Waltraud: We had our first homemade breakfast together. A nice example of cooperation with all of us having fun in the kitchen and in the dining room. We have now become a very good team, working well together, even solving c some challenging situations. I really enjoyed driving through the country side, on the way to Meiningen.
Judiith: We had a lovely, relaxing and interesting day. Everyone enjoyed and benefited from the opportunity to have a lie in. We all went to the shops to buy some presents for our families and friends at home, while Waultraud stayed behind to prepare her 'Visible Me' workshop. When we goot back we got ready to go out. Peter arrived to pick us up looking very smart in a suit and tie - our group met the challenge, all looking very smartly dressed for our trip to Meiningen. We drove in two minibuses. Frau Frucker, our driver had very good English, but she wants to get better. We drove through a 3 km tunnel, she explained that this was a new road and the journney used to take an hour. On the way home she explained more about the show(she and the other driver managed to get last minute tickets for the show). We were not the only ones not to get all of the jokes in the show. Lots of the in-jokes were understood by the East Germans, but not the West Germans. We also visited a castle, Peter demonstated the echo effects to everyones ammusement. We went into the Theatre museum, but it was cloosing so we didn't get to see everything. There was also an English garden.
We had such a busy day yesterday that there was no time to update our blog when we got home (it really does feel like home now!!!). So the following comments all relate to yesterdays activiities.
Catherine: After breakfast I helped to clear up, then we went to the shops. We went to see a Catholic church in Meiningen, but there wasn't a service. I met the Father and the Deacon, I told them that I am an alter girl at my church in England and I hold the bible for Father Anthony and Father Richard. The theatre was lovely, and Peter's wife Inga and his daughter Katia and her boyfriend came with us, but I sat next to Peter.
John W: I liked the Italian restauraant, the food was really good, I had spaghetti bolognaise. The waiters were really nice. Afterwards we went to the theatre, it was quite a nice building. It looked nicer at nightime than it did when we saw it in the daytime. I likeed the show, they sang rock and roll, we could see the musicians in the pit, they were dressed in 70's clothes.
Martina: I found it a very nice day out. Peter was very nice showing us around the town were he lives, on his day off. I enjoyed the food and the waiters were nice too.
Gonzalo: Where do I start! Peter took us to see a church and some of us prayed. We went to see the Protestant church, but it was locked so we couldn't get in. We walked around the shops, but most of them were shut. The restaurant was nice, but my pizza wasn't as spicy as I would have liked. The show, even though I don't speak German, was good and I understood the story. Waltraud explained the bits I hadn't got in the interval when we had icecream.
John K: My favourite is the history of Meiningen, especially about the church. All the catholic churches are quite new and built since the Berlin wall came down, because the GDR (German Democtatic Republic) was a prodistant country (so there are only old prodistant churchs). The restaurant was very good, we all laughhed and giggled and gossiped. I liked the show, it made me laugh, it was fantastic.
Scott: We went to a church, an Italian restaurant and the theatre, I liked the songs. I recognised some of them, like 'I love rock and roll' but they channged some of the words. It was called MS Madagaskar and was set on a cruise ship. There was a stowaway and a mother and son who had not seen each other for years and two bags that looked the same (one with a cat in it) and lots of people falling in love and splitting up and falling in love again.
Kerry Ann: I enjoyed the meal and going to the church, I had asked if we could go to one because I like going when I am at home. The show, well those boys really rocked it, in their shorts (they were all on holiday on the ship) I really enjoyed it, they were singing and moving, there was talent and energy on the stage. It was very lively, a good night. I would like to go again - those legs eleven!
Jagdeep: I enjoyed the whole day, from the beginning to the ending. I thought the singing was good. It was my first time, I have never never been in a theatre before. I would like to go again.
Asha: The show - nice. Music - good. Home - phoned Mum, sad, mum cried. Then bed - sleep.
Sean: Going to see the performance, it was funny. The cast of actors were very good. I liked it when they were singing, I recognised some of the songs. I liked 'I love rock and roll', by Suzie Quatro (she was from the 70's) and 'I feel good' by James Brown, the godfather of soul (he died recently).
Waltraud: We had our first homemade breakfast together. A nice example of cooperation with all of us having fun in the kitchen and in the dining room. We have now become a very good team, working well together, even solving c some challenging situations. I really enjoyed driving through the country side, on the way to Meiningen.
Judiith: We had a lovely, relaxing and interesting day. Everyone enjoyed and benefited from the opportunity to have a lie in. We all went to the shops to buy some presents for our families and friends at home, while Waultraud stayed behind to prepare her 'Visible Me' workshop. When we goot back we got ready to go out. Peter arrived to pick us up looking very smart in a suit and tie - our group met the challenge, all looking very smartly dressed for our trip to Meiningen. We drove in two minibuses. Frau Frucker, our driver had very good English, but she wants to get better. We drove through a 3 km tunnel, she explained that this was a new road and the journney used to take an hour. On the way home she explained more about the show(she and the other driver managed to get last minute tickets for the show). We were not the only ones not to get all of the jokes in the show. Lots of the in-jokes were understood by the East Germans, but not the West Germans. We also visited a castle, Peter demonstated the echo effects to everyones ammusement. We went into the Theatre museum, but it was cloosing so we didn't get to see everything. There was also an English garden.
Friday 19 October 2007
We can't believe it is Friday! The last day of the working week. We have been here for 5 days. This morning we got up, as usual, at 6.30 and were all showered, dressed and ready to walk up the hill for breakfast, at the college. It hasn't been as cold as we had expected, but there was some drizzle this morning. The taxi's arrived at 8.30 to take us to our work placements.
Group 1 - Suhler Werkstatten
John W: I was making display boxes for shops to use. The supervisor showed me how to do it and then I did it on my own. I had to fold and slot them together. As I finished each box I gave it to Gonzalo who filled it with bike accessories. Teamwork!!!
Gonzalo: After I had finished my work I went and helped a girl with her work. She was in a wheelchair and couldn't reach. The supervisor told me that I had good initiative.
John K: The first job I did today was a big box of plastic fittings. I had to take two parts off and put them into different boxes. Another job I did was to put two other bits of plastic together.
I wish that I could go somewhere like this in England or in other countries where people like me or people who use wheelchairs can learn skills and get full time or part time work and not have to speak German!
Catherine: I have made friends with a girl called Mendy, she had lunch with us. We were talking and signing . Then her boyfriend Julian came over to join us too. They were fun. Lots of people were talking to us and we were talking to them.
Asha: Good work. Eating, need no money. Money for drink and pudding - yeah. Dancing - yeah - Tuesday.
Judith: I gave the staff of the Suhler Werkstatten a virtual guided tour of EHWLC. They were very interested to see how big the college is, how many sites and how many students there are. I told them about our recent Ofsted inspection and that we are officially the best college in London! They were impressed.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann: Every morning I wake up to a lovely view, I love it here. When I was at work I noticed that the supervisor was talking to someone, so I went and got a crate and packed the boxes that we had finished so we could get them out. I used my initiative and learnt how to finish a job.
I like it so much here, I want to stay for another week (on top of the three we are supposed to be here!) It is not enough for me, I love it
Jagdeep: We had a very nice lunch today, yesterday they asked us what we would like. The canteen is in a really nice German house next door to the workshop. There was chicken with sauce, vegetables and potatoes. There was orange juice and fruit salad.
Scott: I made friends with Annie, a German girl who is a student at the college and lives in the hostle where we are staying. She came to England last year, her English is alright, she wants to improve. She came to our living room to talk, we were writing and drawing, the others were watching a DVD.
Sean: We are getting to know everyone at our placement, the staff and the students are nice. We had our picture taken with them today. We are talking to each other, we don't always get it, but mostly we do.
Waltraud: Today, as every other day has been very loooooooooooong, (but the wake up calls get shorter!). I had a good chat with the staff and the workers at the workstation and we have many ideas for future projects.
ps I have juust realised that I am German and can watch TV - holaradihüüüüü!!!
Tonight Gonzalo annd Waltraud went shopping whilst Chef's John W; John K; (we washed our Hans first!!!!) Sean; Catherine and Judith prepared a wonderful dinner. Kerry Ann, Sean and Martina cleared up.
We are all looking forward to the weekend. We have lots of plans, but we are most looking forward to a long lie in!!!
Group 1 - Suhler Werkstatten
John W: I was making display boxes for shops to use. The supervisor showed me how to do it and then I did it on my own. I had to fold and slot them together. As I finished each box I gave it to Gonzalo who filled it with bike accessories. Teamwork!!!
Gonzalo: After I had finished my work I went and helped a girl with her work. She was in a wheelchair and couldn't reach. The supervisor told me that I had good initiative.
John K: The first job I did today was a big box of plastic fittings. I had to take two parts off and put them into different boxes. Another job I did was to put two other bits of plastic together.
I wish that I could go somewhere like this in England or in other countries where people like me or people who use wheelchairs can learn skills and get full time or part time work and not have to speak German!
Catherine: I have made friends with a girl called Mendy, she had lunch with us. We were talking and signing . Then her boyfriend Julian came over to join us too. They were fun. Lots of people were talking to us and we were talking to them.
Asha: Good work. Eating, need no money. Money for drink and pudding - yeah. Dancing - yeah - Tuesday.
Judith: I gave the staff of the Suhler Werkstatten a virtual guided tour of EHWLC. They were very interested to see how big the college is, how many sites and how many students there are. I told them about our recent Ofsted inspection and that we are officially the best college in London! They were impressed.
Group 2 - Schleusingen
Kerry Ann: Every morning I wake up to a lovely view, I love it here. When I was at work I noticed that the supervisor was talking to someone, so I went and got a crate and packed the boxes that we had finished so we could get them out. I used my initiative and learnt how to finish a job.
I like it so much here, I want to stay for another week (on top of the three we are supposed to be here!) It is not enough for me, I love it
Jagdeep: We had a very nice lunch today, yesterday they asked us what we would like. The canteen is in a really nice German house next door to the workshop. There was chicken with sauce, vegetables and potatoes. There was orange juice and fruit salad.
Scott: I made friends with Annie, a German girl who is a student at the college and lives in the hostle where we are staying. She came to England last year, her English is alright, she wants to improve. She came to our living room to talk, we were writing and drawing, the others were watching a DVD.
Sean: We are getting to know everyone at our placement, the staff and the students are nice. We had our picture taken with them today. We are talking to each other, we don't always get it, but mostly we do.
Waltraud: Today, as every other day has been very loooooooooooong, (but the wake up calls get shorter!). I had a good chat with the staff and the workers at the workstation and we have many ideas for future projects.
ps I have juust realised that I am German and can watch TV - holaradihüüüüü!!!
Tonight Gonzalo annd Waltraud went shopping whilst Chef's John W; John K; (we washed our Hans first!!!!) Sean; Catherine and Judith prepared a wonderful dinner. Kerry Ann, Sean and Martina cleared up.
We are all looking forward to the weekend. We have lots of plans, but we are most looking forward to a long lie in!!!
Thursday 18 October 2007
As there was an event at the college today, we were picked up from our accommodation at 8.30 which meant we all got some extra sleep!
Today Waltraud supported group 1 and I supported group 2
Group 1 (Suhler Werkstaetten)
There were many new tasks to be mastered today. All the learners were very busy and achieved a lot.
John K: I finished the job I started yesterday packaging bike parts.
John W: Assembling hydraulics appliances towards the production of dumper trucks. It was a very fiddly job. I also had to cut wires for a radio.
Gonzalo: Precision work, punching holes in files and inserting a metal attachment.
Catherine and Asha began their day packaging bike parts, but ended up leading a discussion on how and where they live and learn. Translated by Waltraud who also answered further questions by the staff relating to EHWLC.
Group 2 (Schleuusinggen)
Kerry Ann: I was shown how to carry the boxes and where to put them when they are full. I did a paintinnng todaay and I enjoyed that.
Scott: Today I put the labels on the boxes that we had packed. It was the same as yesterday except they were red and today ´they are black.
Martina: Iennjooyed it, but I aam very tired, it is hard work.
Sean: We were just putting blackring bindetrs in little boxes.
Jagdeep: The lunccch was really nice we had homemade llenntlle or green bean sssoup aannd bread
Judith: I was shown around the workstation by the manager Herr Holland-Letz . (aan eeenngineer bbbbbwwho hasss wwoorked here for 14 years) There are three parts, the largest is this one, one inShloisen and a third whiich is a laundry (it is hard work and reaches temperatures of 38° in the summer, serving local businesses and houses.
This work station provides employment and education for 140 people. They pride themselves on a holistic approach to the development of individuals - work, sports, and accommodation. In addition there is an educational psycologist, social worker and partime doctor
I found out that there are 30 workshops/rehabilitation centres in Thuringia providing employment for 5,000 people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, with token payments alongside their state benefits. (500 workstations across Germany)
They work closely with the local communiity (a village of only 70 inhabitants) providing employment (in the kitchens) for many locals. The Christmas and summer open days are very successful ensuring that they live together with the local community.
As we walked through the work shop the smell of star anise was powerful, as they package spices (10,000 per day, 100,000 per month) for supermarkets all year round. They also produce beautiful rustic benches (from the surrounding forrest) for walkers in the forest and for outlets throughout Germany. Bespoke dolls houses/buildings (ranches, big top, etc) and other wooden toys for a catalogue company.
Each group of (max) 12 has a supervisor, who all have H&S taining (OK with you Robin?). Our supervisor Stevan is a trainee Social Worker.
Today Waltraud supported group 1 and I supported group 2
Group 1 (Suhler Werkstaetten)
There were many new tasks to be mastered today. All the learners were very busy and achieved a lot.
John K: I finished the job I started yesterday packaging bike parts.
John W: Assembling hydraulics appliances towards the production of dumper trucks. It was a very fiddly job. I also had to cut wires for a radio.
Gonzalo: Precision work, punching holes in files and inserting a metal attachment.
Catherine and Asha began their day packaging bike parts, but ended up leading a discussion on how and where they live and learn. Translated by Waltraud who also answered further questions by the staff relating to EHWLC.
Group 2 (Schleuusinggen)
Kerry Ann: I was shown how to carry the boxes and where to put them when they are full. I did a paintinnng todaay and I enjoyed that.
Scott: Today I put the labels on the boxes that we had packed. It was the same as yesterday except they were red and today ´they are black.
Martina: Iennjooyed it, but I aam very tired, it is hard work.
Sean: We were just putting blackring bindetrs in little boxes.
Jagdeep: The lunccch was really nice we had homemade llenntlle or green bean sssoup aannd bread
Judith: I was shown around the workstation by the manager Herr Holland-Letz . (aan eeenngineer bbbbbwwho hasss wwoorked here for 14 years) There are three parts, the largest is this one, one inShloisen and a third whiich is a laundry (it is hard work and reaches temperatures of 38° in the summer, serving local businesses and houses.
This work station provides employment and education for 140 people. They pride themselves on a holistic approach to the development of individuals - work, sports, and accommodation. In addition there is an educational psycologist, social worker and partime doctor
I found out that there are 30 workshops/rehabilitation centres in Thuringia providing employment for 5,000 people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, with token payments alongside their state benefits. (500 workstations across Germany)
They work closely with the local communiity (a village of only 70 inhabitants) providing employment (in the kitchens) for many locals. The Christmas and summer open days are very successful ensuring that they live together with the local community.
As we walked through the work shop the smell of star anise was powerful, as they package spices (10,000 per day, 100,000 per month) for supermarkets all year round. They also produce beautiful rustic benches (from the surrounding forrest) for walkers in the forest and for outlets throughout Germany. Bespoke dolls houses/buildings (ranches, big top, etc) and other wooden toys for a catalogue company.
Each group of (max) 12 has a supervisor, who all have H&S taining (OK with you Robin?). Our supervisor Stevan is a trainee Social Worker.
Wednesday 17 October 2007
We have really enjoyed reading the comments made about our blog. We are sorry that we have not put any photos, video or sound clips on, but we are experiencing some technical difficulties!
We would like to thank Sue A, Penny L and the Design Team, Martin K and the IT techs for all their support in setting up this Blog.
We would like to thank Sue A, Penny L and the Design Team, Martin K and the IT techs for all their support in setting up this Blog.
Today was our first day going to our work placements. We walked to the college (about 10 minutes from where we have been staying) for our breakfast. Later two minibuses arrived to take our two groups to the two Social Firms.
Group 1
Frau Austermann and Silvio showed us around Suhler Werkstatten. It was quite big, there are about 300 people working there.
Asher and Catherine were packaging bicycle lights into bags.
John K was fixing a bike attachment to a piece of card using a plastic fastener.
John W and Gonzalo were dismantling and repackaging defective torches.
What the students had to say about the day:
Asher: Hard work, nice food
Catherine: Hard work, I enjoyed using the machinery (she then went on to explain the whole process)
John K: Fantastic experience
John W: Good
Gonzalo: At first it was intimidating, but then, once I got used to it , it was good.
Judith: Despite the fact that I spoke very little German and the people there spoke very little English we were able to communicate with the staff and the workers. I found that work was being completed by people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. All were happy to show me their work and one way or another tell me what they were making and for what (for cars, bikes, aeroplanes and office suppliers).
Group 2
Scott: It was a great day working with Stevan packing boxes with ring binders.
Sean: I felt happy to see the work we had just done going off in a lorry.
Kerry Ann: I really liked it. They showed us around then gave us some work. We got aa key and a locker, but we had to give them back when we left. I quiet enjoyed it.
Jagdeep: I enjoyed it, packing boxes with red ring binders. I made people laugh at the eennd. I told Stevan he speaks English well.
Martina: I enjoyed being shown around, the place was really nice, the food was really nice. I enjoyed helping put the labels on the boxes.
Waltraud: I thought the people very nice, they showed us around, explained about the customers who buy from them how their workers get an income and how this social enterprise works. Best of all the participants saw what happened to the work they completed.
Group 1
Frau Austermann and Silvio showed us around Suhler Werkstatten. It was quite big, there are about 300 people working there.
Asher and Catherine were packaging bicycle lights into bags.
John K was fixing a bike attachment to a piece of card using a plastic fastener.
John W and Gonzalo were dismantling and repackaging defective torches.
What the students had to say about the day:
Asher: Hard work, nice food
Catherine: Hard work, I enjoyed using the machinery (she then went on to explain the whole process)
John K: Fantastic experience
John W: Good
Gonzalo: At first it was intimidating, but then, once I got used to it , it was good.
Judith: Despite the fact that I spoke very little German and the people there spoke very little English we were able to communicate with the staff and the workers. I found that work was being completed by people with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. All were happy to show me their work and one way or another tell me what they were making and for what (for cars, bikes, aeroplanes and office suppliers).
Group 2
Scott: It was a great day working with Stevan packing boxes with ring binders.
Sean: I felt happy to see the work we had just done going off in a lorry.
Kerry Ann: I really liked it. They showed us around then gave us some work. We got aa key and a locker, but we had to give them back when we left. I quiet enjoyed it.
Jagdeep: I enjoyed it, packing boxes with red ring binders. I made people laugh at the eennd. I told Stevan he speaks English well.
Martina: I enjoyed being shown around, the place was really nice, the food was really nice. I enjoyed helping put the labels on the boxes.
Waltraud: I thought the people very nice, they showed us around, explained about the customers who buy from them how their workers get an income and how this social enterprise works. Best of all the participants saw what happened to the work they completed.
Tuesday 16 October 2007
This morning we got up at 6.30. We had to be ready for the the transport at 7.30. We had been invited to join a sports festival at a sports centre in neighbouring Sohl.
There were 180 participants who took part in the event. We went from activity to activity, competing against our selves and each other.
Catherine was the fastest on the slalom, Jagdeep second fastest and John K third fastest. Sean jumped furthest on the long jump, Asha did the most sit ups, Kerry Ann skipped the most in 90 seconds, Scott throwing thee ball into a target, John W and Gonzalo excelled at suspended leg ups.
After lunch, (another German sausage!) Waltraud says> they were looking forward to it and now they feel already FULLLLL!!!!!!
We came back to our accommodation for a cup of tea (and for some of us, a rest!) before going out for dinner and bowling.
There were 180 participants who took part in the event. We went from activity to activity, competing against our selves and each other.
Catherine was the fastest on the slalom, Jagdeep second fastest and John K third fastest. Sean jumped furthest on the long jump, Asha did the most sit ups, Kerry Ann skipped the most in 90 seconds, Scott throwing thee ball into a target, John W and Gonzalo excelled at suspended leg ups.
After lunch, (another German sausage!) Waltraud says> they were looking forward to it and now they feel already FULLLLL!!!!!!
We came back to our accommodation for a cup of tea (and for some of us, a rest!) before going out for dinner and bowling.
Monday 15 October 2007
We started to load the minibus at 5.30 this morning. We had a clear run to Stansted where we got into the first of many queues. We had our baggage weighed and taken away.
Departure time was delaved due to nthe weather in England, we finaly boarded the plane and waited for take of. We were all very excited, especialy John W as it was his first time on a plane.
When we were told to fasten our seatbelts, we asked if there was going to be terbulance, no said the airhostes, we're landing!
After pasport control we met with our drivers, we spent the next two hours driving through the German countryside from the airport in Altenburg to the residential home in Thuringia. We were met by Silvio, Mrs H and Karena who wlcomed us with tea cofe and cakes made by some of the other residents. The gave us our schedule of activities for the next few days.
We were shown to our rooms and unpacked our cases. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner.
The only sad part of the day was that Mark C was unable to atend as he was unwell. We all send Mark our best wishes and hope he has a speedy recovery.
Departure time was delaved due to nthe weather in England, we finaly boarded the plane and waited for take of. We were all very excited, especialy John W as it was his first time on a plane.
When we were told to fasten our seatbelts, we asked if there was going to be terbulance, no said the airhostes, we're landing!
After pasport control we met with our drivers, we spent the next two hours driving through the German countryside from the airport in Altenburg to the residential home in Thuringia. We were met by Silvio, Mrs H and Karena who wlcomed us with tea cofe and cakes made by some of the other residents. The gave us our schedule of activities for the next few days.
We were shown to our rooms and unpacked our cases. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner.
The only sad part of the day was that Mark C was unable to atend as he was unwell. We all send Mark our best wishes and hope he has a speedy recovery.
Thursday 11 October 2007
Thursday 11th October 2007
Students from Hammersmith and Southall are getting their bags packed ready to go to Germany for the first work placement opportunity of it's kind. Weight limit of 15 kg for each suitcase.
On Friday we are hosting a German buffet, prepared by students and staff from the host college in Germany on their last day before returning to Thuringia.
At this event students can weigh their bags and leave here, on the Hammersmith site ready to leave at 6.00 am on Monday 15th October.
Wednesday 10 October 2007
News from Germany
Hopefully we will be able to record what we have done on our visit to Germany easily for all to read here.
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