| Audio - A personal experience of funding issues (3.08 MB) | 18/12/2007 | Download |
| | Christine Smith-Gillespie, Director of Finance and Central Services, recounts her positive experience of trainees within Central Services; the opportunities GROW presents to organisations; and the process of funding and mainstreaming the programme. |
| Audio - Alpheus's story (4.29 MB) | 28/01/2008 | Download |
| | Alpheus, former GROW trainee, recounts his journey from heroin addiction and homelessness to his role as support worker in Southwark Reach. He covers the challenges he overcame; the highlights along the way; and the contribution he can make as an ex-service user. |
| Audio - An initial sceptic explains his conversion (7.56 MB) | 05/12/2007 | Download |
| | James Francis, Director of Street and Hostel Services, explains how his initial fears that resources would be diverted from experienced staff involved in direct help were overcome; how the organisation has changed for the better as a result of GROW; and tips for replication. |
| Audio - Dennis's story (4.28 MB) | 28/01/2008 | Download |
| | Dennis, a GROW trainee at Southwark Reach, describes how he moved from homelessness to the traineeship programme - the challenges he faced and the benefits it brought for both him and Thames Reach. |
| Audio - Experiences of a Life Coach (2.94 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | A life coach’s view - Pauline Jobson, Strategic Support Team Manager, shares her experience of being a life coach; how privileged she felt and her love for the role. |
| Audio - Grow conference report - Panel Question and Answer Session (50.08 MB) | 09/10/2008 | Download |
| | Download an audio file of the Grow Conference Panel Question and Answer Session. |
| Audio - Interview with Terri Alafat, CLG (3.70 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | A response from Communities and Local Government - Terrie Alafat, Director of Housing Strategy and Support in CLG, discusses the difference in approach between the US and UK; how and where GROW links in with CLG’s aims and Supporting People framework; and how it successfully meets targets such as user-engagement. |
| Audio - Key issues in GROW (6.03 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | View from the GROW Project Manager - Kath Dane discusses key issues: the need for individual support, dealing with coming off benefits, salary loans, setting clear and realistic expectations; the effects of GROW on trainees; its impact; and shares key lessons. |
| Audio - Kristina's story (4.08 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | Kristina recounts how being a GROW trainee gave her the chance to move into employment, describing the challenges, the support and the opportunities the programme gave her.
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| Audio - Managers and supervisors pass on their experiences (7.19 MB) | 05/12/2007 | Download |
| | Jasprit, John, Jenny and Andy pass on their experience as managers and supervisors of trainees. They detail the many benefits, some of the pitfalls and the best way to deal with them, and conclude with a few unanswered questions. |
| Audio - Preparing service users for employment (2.38 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | Preparing people for applying to GROW - Matt Wall, Manager of Learning and Employment projects, explains the stepping stones involved in preparing people to apply for GROW; the TRaVEL training scheme and volunteering; and short-term placements. He concludes with some success stories. |
| Audio - The inspiration behind GROW and its implementation (6.00 MB) | 05/12/2007 | Download |
| | John Crowther, Director of Operations, discusses the inspiration behind GROW; the advantages of employing service or ex-service users; how initial fears such as issues of confidentiality were overcome; and concludes with his hopes for the future. |
| Audio - Trevor's story (2.50 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | Trevor, former GROW trainee, shares his journey from alcohol addiction and street homelessness to gaining his first post with the Tenancy Sustainment team. He talks about his love for his job, what he has gained and what he has contributed.
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| Audio - Trevor's story told by others and himself (9.19 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | Trevor, a support worker in the Tenancy Sustainment team, shares his positive experiences of being one of the first GROW trainees - includes contributions from his GROW supervisor and life coach, current line manager and a service user.
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| Audio- Paula's story (1.89 MB) | 30/01/2008 | Download |
| | Trainee Paula shares her experiences of GROW - the support received, how the trainee group can learn from each other and what the trainees contribute to the organisation as a whole. She concludes with her hopes for the future of GROW.
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| Grow Conference Report - Opening Speeches (69.68 MB) | 09/10/2008 | Download |
| | Audio file of the opening speeches from the Grow Conference. |
