AN audience of over 40 students, representatives from Connexions, local councils and family and friends attended the Barnabas Centre in Poole recently for a unique performance by adults with learning disabilities and their support workers. The performance of "Me and Him…and Me and Her" was the result of a joint project between Dorset Scope and the Dorset Care Ambassador Programme delivered by Partners in Care in Dorset.

Care Ambassadors are all about inspiring people young and old to consider working in adult social care - perhaps with the elderly or with adults with learning disabilities.

The short piece of theatre was planned by the whole team to demonstrate the relationship between the support worker and the person they support, showing the interaction, difficulties and fun they share. A DVD is currently being produced from this work as a resource for the Care Ambassador team to share with schools, colleges and other community groups to raise the profile of the rewards working in adult social care can bring.

Students from three schools and two further education colleges in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole recently took part in an event to launch the new Society Health and Development Diploma.  Interactive workshops provided students with an insight into some areas of work included in the Diploma, with contributions from the Criminal Justice, Health and Social Care Sectors.

The students from Weymouth College who started work on their Diploma course earlier this year took part in the day. Other students studying the related subjects of Health and Social Care, Science, Medicine and Law also attended.

Following a thought provoking DVD, individual workshops provided an insight into the work of the Criminal Justice System, the Ambulance Service, the Police and the Social Care sector. Students took part in a Restorative Justice role play meeting with Dorset Police, and a resuscitation techniques workshop with the Ambulance Service. The Social Care workshop, led by members of the Care Ambassador team, involved students providing a craft activity for fellow students who were simulating the effects of a stroke. For the final activity two officers of the courts and a magistrate took students on a journey through the criminal justice system, from initial arrest to a jail cell!