October 2009: We have now signed up to the ‘Plymouth Better Together’ campaign which enables us to demonstrate our commitment to our corporate responsibility as well as helping to make the community of Plymouth a better place to live, work and do business. To visit the website click on the following link: www.plymouthbettertogether.org.uk

July 2009: On the 17th July Venus attended the Devon Care Conference at the Sandy Park venue in Exeter. Sponsored by Devon County Council this annual event is an excellent chance for those working in Social care to network and share ideas. Venus attracted lots of people to our stand, and our lovely tutor Mandy Sykes did three workshops in healthier foods and special diets which were very well received. It was a fantastic day and lots of new contacts were made, the food wasn't bad either!

The photo shows Jude Kenny (Director) talking to another provider at the Venus stand.

June 2009: Venus invited TVC (Tamar Valley Consortium) students from schools across Plymouth and South East Cornwall, to their training rooms at the City Business Park. The students are enrolling onto this September’s Health & Social Care NVQ II course and met the graduates from this year’s course to hear about their experiences and meet the Tutor.

Venus invited Devon Care Ambassadors, Cathy Higgins and Rosie, to talk about their careers in Social Care and how to obtain the best from their training. Students who attended said “I really enjoyed the morning; it was like a classroom but very relaxed and great fun”.

Photo shows Lynette Osborne (Marketing Co-ordinator) pictured with TVC students.

May 2009: Michael Pearn is an Employer and Service User and he chose to use Direct Payments as a way of taking control and personalising his care to his needs and wants, including finishing his degree in Hospitality, with research into amenities for people with disabilities at Exeter University. Jane Kellas, a Venus Director, approached Michael to ask if he was willing to come in and talk to a group of Post 16 learners, from various schools across the city of Plymouth, who were undertaking a NVQ Level 2 as part of their extended studies. Michael used a PowerPoint presentation to explain his progress through life and how he fought to leave residential schooling in favour of mainstream, as he felt he was babied too much. This was Michael's first time teaching and he said he was really scared at first but extremely pleased at the way it had gone.

The Learners suggested that Michael should be presenting his story and views to everybody working in Health and Social Care and other school Learners. Michael has now become a Tutor for Venus and is developing a series of short courses for us.

Click to enlarge photo: Michael Pearn

01/02/08 Please take the time to visit Archie Barton's website. Little Archie was less than 18 months old when he developed a temperature and was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with Meningitis B.

The severe septicaemia which followed has ravaged Archie's body and caused him to have both legs amputated. In addition he has lost a number of fingers, part of an ear and the tip of his nose.

Venus Training and Consultancy are extremely proud to have sponsored Archies website and would really appreciate you forwarding the link onto as many people as you can: www.archiesstory.co.uk