The Latest Bulletin

Not sure what the Avenue Professional Development Programme online learning community is all about? Watch this two-minute video to find out. Based on principles of self-directed learning, this programme is geared towards developing reflective practice. It works by bringing together a group of learners who support one another, under Neil’s guidance. Click here to watch the video

‘I couldn’t help it’, ‘I had no choice’ and ‘It wasn’t my fault’ are commonly heard comments, but how often are they actually true? How often are we unaware of the choices we have been making or are actually trying to disguise the fact that what we did was based on a choice (or set of choices) we made? Of course, there will often be situations where we don’t have a choice, where things are beyond our control. For example, if we spill water on our lap, we can’t choose whether or not to get wet (although we could choose to try not to get wet by putting a plastic sheet or equivalent across our lap – if we wanted…

For years, the mantra in public services has been that patient participation and user involvement are key, and that service providers should listen to what their customers want. Here lies the route towards empowerment and cost-effectiveness. A whole literature and new ways of working have developed, and requirements for such involvement are enshrined in law. Over the past 40 years, this movement for participation has led to some profoundly important innovations in policy, practice and research. User involvement in professional education was pioneered in social work, where service user and carer involvement is required at all stages. Students, service users, carers and educators all strongly support such involvement and see it as a key way of improving the culture of practice. Click…

Homelessness can force people into isolation, which affects their ability to share, communicate, and work with others. When a person who is homeless gets involved in football, they build relationships; they become teammates who learn to trust and share. They have a responsibility to attend training sessions and games, to be on time, and to be prepared to participate. They feel that they are part of something larger than themselves. The sense of empowerment that comes from participating in street football helps people who are homeless see that they can change their lives; and our National Partner organisations give them the tools they need to do just that. Click here to read more