The Gallery

 

View pictures from various KISS events held over the past year and read some of the testimonials. Click below for more

 

 

Our Successes

 

Provided an informal networking environment where business people can meet and support each other, sharing knowledge and expertise to help each other’s businesses and referred work to each other

 

 

Organised four successful careers exhibitions now known as ‘The Big KISS’ in Congleton, which has now become part of the Borough’s event calendar, the last event had 500+ attendees.

 

 

Provided free training for local businesses in food safety, marketing on a budget and conflict management.

 

 

Developed and delivered a programme to help people prepare for work or learning opportunities, 100+ participants in the last year. 80% of people went on to achieve their goals.

 

 

Worked closely with schools and colleges in the area, working on many projects to help bridge the gap between education and employment.

 

 

Support other ideas and events to help connect, skills, employment and learning i.e. 11 million take over day – placements found for people who would not normally have the opportunity.

 

 

The "Conflict Handling Workshop" is an example of an excellent benefit to us all for attending.

 

 

The Congleton KISS group won a 2009 Congleton Borough Business Award ‘Special Achievement’.

 

 

KISS Member

Leanne Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT Is your name, position, and the organisation you work for?

Disability Information Bureau Macclesfield Branch: Pierce St, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 6ER Congleton Branch: Municapal Offices, Market Square, Congleton CW12 1EX Laura Burns Manager

 

WHEN Did you join KISS? / How long have you been involved with the group?

Initially joined in summer 2009 when Leanne lake attended

 

ABOUT Tell us about your organisation, what it sells/does and how long it has been running.

We are a charity and a company Ltd by guarantee. We have been running in Macclesfield since 1995 and have recently opened a branch in Congleton Town Centre (in the old council offices behind the town hall).

 

Our mission is: The purpose of the Disability Information Bureau is to provide an accessible, confidential and continuously updated range of services for disabled people and any other person interested in disability related matters.

 

Our Service:

 

We provide a free and confidential information service on all disability related issues, including: benefits, mobility, transport, access, holidays and leisure activities. We are a direct link to other organisations. We offer a community resource to local groups and organisations sharing information and a fully accessible venue for meetings.

 

We offer training and support to anyone who has an interest in disability issues including Disability Equality and the Disability Discrimination Act. Information Service - providing advice on a wide range of disability related issues. Employment Services - Providing help and training to help disabled people into work Benefit Advice Services - Providing advice on Benefits, benefit calculation, better off in work calculations, and help with form filling. IT Centre – Offering free lessons and a whole range of adaptive technology to suit most needs.

 

DONATIONS Tell us what you have donated to the KISS group over the period of you membership. This can included giving up your own time or work you have done for the KISS group at events such as the BIG KISS etc.

Attendance – joined in BIG Kiss job fairs in Macclesfield and Congleton catering for people with disabilities and heatth problems looking for assistance into employment and increasing their skills at our IT centres.

 

WHY/BENEFITS Tell us why you joined the KISS group, why you are still involved in its activities and what benefits being a member of the group has brought you.

The DiB became part of the KISS group to build partnership links with local organisations so that our services were recognised through out the local community and therefore to support people to overcome barriers to employment, improve their numeracy, literacy and ICT skills, support to help them claim benefits and gain other valuable skills through volunteering opportunities.