The Jeely Piece Club Case Study
The Jeely Piece Club provides a vital service for the Castlemilk community in Glasgow through its work with vulnerable families. Since it started in 1975, the "Jeely" has been a place for families offering services such as a learning centre for all ages, a popular nursery, Playzone and after-school clubs for older children, as well as respite and support for parents and other carers.
The Jeely Piece also helps families get access to basic services. Adult volunteers and learners have opportunities to meet people and develop skills that can help them move into employment or further training. The particular expertise of staff at The Jeely Piece Club means that the work they do can help to break the cycle of deprivation that families sometimes find themselves locked into.
Jacqueline first got to know about The Jeely Piece after she’d been ill. Her health visitor recommended it so that she could get some help with her young son while she went to hospital. Her son joined the nursery and Jacqueline found it a huge help. Jacqueline has also now gotten involved, attending courses and volunteering at the Playzone office which she hopes will help her get back into work.
It was in November 2007 that Pilotlight started working with The Jeely Piece after they were one of the first charities to apply following the launch of Pilotlight Scotland. The relationship has worked well and had impressive results. The Jeely Piece has improved its focus: service provision is tighter, costing and charging more precise, staff performance better directed, and presentation and communication sharper. Through Pilotlight’s work with them, The Jeely Piece have now secured nearly £50,000 of corporate sponsorship and have a strategic plan for their future with exciting developments set to come in the following year. They are now well on their way to realising their goal of reaching more people in the community.
Tracey Black, Director of The Jeely Piece, says,
“Pilotlight Scotland’s input means that I now know where we want to be in a year or two. I’ve learned to keep focussing on the big picture, while dealing with the ongoing challenges around funding, staffing and the rest of it. With their help we have built sustainability for the long term."
Everyone involved enjoyed the experience, learned from each other and developed some innovations that will improve Pilotlight’s work with other organisations.
Alex Borthwick, one of the Pilotlighters on the project, says,
“Working with the Pilotlighters and the charity has given me huge insight into different approaches and ways of thinking, as well as building my business network…I have found it better at growing my skills than any training course.”
We wish Tracey and The Jeely Piece all the best for the future.