As you can see there is a massive blue sky over Craig
As you can see there is a massive clear blue sky over Craig’s Table this morning; and you can see a line up of cars parked in the front car park.
Each of the drivers of these cars are sitting inside Craig’s Table, they are a brand-new group all starting their journey out and away from the workers compensation industry.
I am sitting here at my desk, just on the other side of the wall the training is happening, a group of people who up till just a short time back are finding out that they are still as they always were important people in their own lives and that they can do things that will even amaze themselves.
Its not possible to share the amount of laughter that is going on in there; nor is it possible to explain the type of eerie stillness that was in place as each person walked into the training area and sat down.
All of it is now very commonplace here at Craig’s Table, the journey towards outcomes is right at their fingertips and they will grasp it and they will push it as far and as fast as they can.
For me it is nervous excitement as well as I ponder just where each of them will be in just 12 weeks. I wonder what the future will bring for them and how them just being here will reshape the wider community and how will the workers compensation industry also alter because another group of very talented people have stepped forward to reclaim what was always theirs.
One of the new placements likes to garden; he has already spent a good deal of time pottering around chatting to the others about what is needed and what can be done.
Another has shown a good deal of interest in Bay One.
Another has shown a good deal of interest in Bay One.
Today also started with a group of possible participants arriving to explore just what is on offer for them to engage with.
We are not all that far into May with not quite enough to start Group 3 – it all gets very exciting.
We are not all that far into May with not quite enough to start Group 3 – it all gets very exciting.
The challenges of Craig’s table it always finding real things for participants to do. Not just work, but meaningful engagement that helps the participants.
So that requires thinking what is possible and what won’t cost a great deal to set in place and what will be of value and use for the wider community?
Thus comes Craig’s Table DVD and computer game library.
Whilst it doesn’t sound like much, take into consideration that the majority of the placements have next to no computer skills and not real understanding of how to put a library together.
Add into the mix DVD’s of every type (well almost every type) so the DVD’s need to be sorted into category then into age group.
Then added to a catalogue program and then labelled and then record the number of copies of each movie (for reason’s unknown we have 2 copies of To Sir With Love)
All of this is helping the participants learn what they can stretch and re-frame themselves into being.
Currently we have around 400 DVD’s and 1 computer game. We are aiming for 1,000 DVD’s before we open the library.
Then once the library is open, there will be the recording of who has borrowed which movie(s) and setting up the required process just to keep track of each DVD or computer game (hopefully by then we will have more computer games.
As for the participants, they are simply enjoying knowing that they are building something that will just continue to grow.
So that requires thinking what is possible and what won’t cost a great deal to set in place and what will be of value and use for the wider community?
Thus comes Craig’s Table DVD and computer game library.
Whilst it doesn’t sound like much, take into consideration that the majority of the placements have next to no computer skills and not real understanding of how to put a library together.
Add into the mix DVD’s of every type (well almost every type) so the DVD’s need to be sorted into category then into age group.
Then added to a catalogue program and then labelled and then record the number of copies of each movie (for reason’s unknown we have 2 copies of To Sir With Love)
All of this is helping the participants learn what they can stretch and re-frame themselves into being.
Currently we have around 400 DVD’s and 1 computer game. We are aiming for 1,000 DVD’s before we open the library.
Then once the library is open, there will be the recording of who has borrowed which movie(s) and setting up the required process just to keep track of each DVD or computer game (hopefully by then we will have more computer games.
As for the participants, they are simply enjoying knowing that they are building something that will just continue to grow.
Each week brings new challenges and new participants, no two days are ever the same, amongst everything else today we had a birthday to celebrate -all of us forgot to take photos- all of us enjoyed the birthday cake.
It is just like watching a butterfly break free of the chrysalis and spread its wings in order to fly. Each group gets larger, each group gets stronger, each group shifts the way the wider workers compensation system interacts with them, each group pulls the next group forward and each group just shines in their own right.
The new participants as nervous and as unsure as some of them are, can see and taste just a glimpse of what their own futures is.
Craig’s Table is not for everyone.
I acknowledge that; there are some who come to see what is on offer for them: but they aren’t quite ready or there are other reason’s that are valid.
We tell them to come back when they are ready, there will be a place at the Table for them.
For others it is a matter of gaining their trust, so they may make several visits before deciding to take part and reclaim their lives.
For others cultural requirements come first. Whatever is decided is supported by Craig’s Table.
But I do have a question: let me paint the background first.
Each of the placements at Craig’s Table have many years of workers compensation history behind them; they have done countless programs, they have had multiple case managers and, in some instances, multiple claims agents.
Each of the participants arrive at Craig’s Table with a large dose of scepticism and open distrust.
Yet within very short spaces of time real changes just happen; today one of the placements told us that she no longer consumes alcohol and only smokes dope (marijuana) on the weekends, she also acknowledged that she is cutting the dope back and has set herself a tapering schedule.
Another has gone from considering taking unaffordable early retirement to returning to the workforce in the same industry but in a different capacity.
Reduction is various types of medication.
Sleeping patterns have improved.
Even a skin condition has cleared up.
All of this and more can be found within Craig’s Table along with copious amounts of laughter.
None of us at Craig’s Table have any recognised qualifications within the workers compensation concept, yet lives are being shifted back into the positive away from angry and frustration and exclusion.
We all have our thoughts on what is happening for each placement, even so none of us are qualified to make a qualified call on what we are seeing.
Each of the placements at Craig’s Table have many years of workers compensation history behind them; they have done countless programs, they have had multiple case managers and, in some instances, multiple claims agents.
Each of the participants arrive at Craig’s Table with a large dose of scepticism and open distrust.
Yet within very short spaces of time real changes just happen; today one of the placements told us that she no longer consumes alcohol and only smokes dope (marijuana) on the weekends, she also acknowledged that she is cutting the dope back and has set herself a tapering schedule.
Another has gone from considering taking unaffordable early retirement to returning to the workforce in the same industry but in a different capacity.
Reduction is various types of medication.
Sleeping patterns have improved.
Even a skin condition has cleared up.
All of this and more can be found within Craig’s Table along with copious amounts of laughter.
None of us at Craig’s Table have any recognised qualifications within the workers compensation concept, yet lives are being shifted back into the positive away from angry and frustration and exclusion.
We all have our thoughts on what is happening for each placement, even so none of us are qualified to make a qualified call on what we are seeing.
Time for bed for me
Yours in service
Rosemary
Yours in service
Rosemary
SKYPE Rosemary2412
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