Meet Robert Gallagher - Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) – Project Support

There’s nothing worse for young people than to be unemployed and broke. Before working for the green charity PECT I faced the task of signing on at the Job Centre every fortnight, reading the back pages of local newspapers and applying to agencies to find a job without the faintest hope of success. I believed I was going to be unemployed for a while, until I was made aware of the Future Jobs Fund (FJF), a scheme set in place to find work for those unemployed and claiming JSA. I applied for three jobs through the FJF, but didn’t believe I’d get a response. My personal advisor at the Job Centre seemed confident that I would soon be employed, which was very pleasing as I was unemployed for so long. Within three weeks I had two interviews, followed by two offers of employment. I was over the moon! I’ve worked for PECT on a varied list of projects including web administration and attending community events.

Since then I’ve done a bit of research and it turns out stories like mine are not uncommon. Projects like this scheme have helped make a big difference to people like myself who have struggled to get back into employment. The most commendable aspects of the FJF scheme is its drive towards helping people progress further towards the goal of successful full-time employment. The majority of their jobs are in the community sector and within the environmental sector, such as my job here at PECT and the highly successful Green Team who have travelled the city knocking on doors reminding people that Peterborough is the UK’s Environment Capital, imparting advice on how to reduce energy consumption and many other tips on sustainability.

My role at PECT has kept me busy with a variety of roles so far in my placement. I am currently responsible for maintaining the Greeniversity website, which allows anyone to share important green skills and engage in events throughout Peterborough. My other role is to monitor exchanges on the Eastex website, which allows businesses throughout the UK to keep landfills to a minimum and helps people to exchange goods from furniture to garden waste.

Luke Tansley – Neighbourhood Support Officer – Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Luke Tansley was unemployed for 7 months before taking the opportunity to get back into work at Cambridgeshire Constabulary as a Neighbourhood Support Officer. Luke started on 22nd March.

“As a Neighbourhood Support Officer I am responsible for providing administrative services along with engaging and contributing to the community development. To update the police databases, compose spreadsheets, letters and emails. Link relevant departments, individuals and groups within neighbourhood teams using a joined up approach, to reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life for residents and of the environment within our neighbourhoods.”

“Since I have been here I have enjoyed organising the first ever open day in Werrington police station so that the officers could engage with the community, which had a great turn out and was a success. By doing tasks such as this I hope to gain a good understanding of life in the police force and see what it takes to gain a permanent position here.”

“The people who I work with in the Werrington police station, are brilliant and have helped me progress so much already and are always willing to give me advice and assistance in any way they could, so a big thanks to the team.”

“I would like to thank all of the Future Jobs Fund Team for this fantastic experience of a work placement and for all the help and advice they have offered me, also for the training you have given me in my placement so far.”

When asked about the Future Jobs Fund and its benefits. Luke said “I would highly recommend this scheme to anybody seeking employment, has been unemployed for 6 months and currently claiming JSA, as it is a great chance to improve your long term employment.”

Katie Hagon – Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Project Worker - CAMEO (NHS)

Katie was unemployed for 6 months before being offered the role of BME Project Worker at CAMEO. Katie started on the 5th March.

CAMEO is a NHS clinical service providing expert specialised care and support to people aged 17-35 experiencing a first episode of psychosis. They offer focused interventions for a 3 year period supporting people to take control of their lives helping them to be equipped with the tools to manage their mental health and optimism to get on and enjoy life.

“My Role as a BME Project Worker is to help customers with completing forms, phoning them to speak and give advice, I also work on projects with CAMEO which help people with mental health issues, this has been very rewarding and I have loved being apart of something that is helping people.”

“This job has given me the chance to get back into work, gain valuable work experience and be apart of something that really helps people. I have been very lucky to get a chance like this and have enjoyed every minute so far, and fully looking forward to the remainder of my placement.”

“My work colleagues are absolutely amazing; I could not have asked for a better team of people to work with, they have simply made it a joy to work here.”

When asked about the Future Jobs Fund and its benefits. Katie said “The scheme gives you great experience and helps you gain the confidence needed to further your careers options, they have already helped me so much and provided me with great advice and guidance.”

Meet Robyn Churchill – HR Assistant at Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals

Robyn Churchill was unemployed for 7 months before starting work on 1st March at Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals as a HR Assistant.

“Getting this opportunity means I get the experience required to help me progress towards a full time employment post. During my placement I hope to be able to gain relevant experience within an office environment, build my telephone skills.”

“My job role as a HR Assistant requires me to deal with inquiries over phone and face to face with members of the public, I am responsible for booking staff onto training courses, I input data onto the databases, help organise the hospitals play scheme and I have been involved in helping the hospital get ready for the move to their new premises.”

“The people I work with have been great. They are all so nice and have made me feel so welcome. They have provided me with plenty of work to keep me challenged and have even given me my own projects to run and maintain.”

If you could recommend this scheme to other unemployed people, what would you say to them? “I have already tried recommending the Future Jobs Fund scheme to some of my friends but later found out that Middlesbrough do not have the project there yet. I would recommend this scheme as a great opportunity to any one who is unemployed as a great chance to progress your work knowledge and give you a better chance to gain full time employment in the future.”

What Railworlds Future Jobs Fund Employees have to say!

We asked the FJF employees at Railworld three important questions and these are their responses!

Q1. What does getting a FJF job mean to you?
Q2. If you could recommend this scheme to other unemployed people, what would say to them, what do you think the positives are etc?
Q3. What comments do you have on your host employer/manager/ supervisors etc?

Christopher Mordue
1. It means a lot to me as I get the chance to work for 6 months, and gain so many valuable work experiences needed to progress further.
2. I would say that the work experience provided by this scheme is of a great benefit to the unemployed as it is one of the main reasons people can’t find work, so the scheme will benefit you a lot.
3. My line manager John is very friendly and is always helpful and professional.

Nigel Merryweather
1. It helps me gain more experience for work to learn new skills.
2. Helps people get into different types of work and get to meet new people.
3. They are all good and friendly people that I work with at Railworld.

Sean Dixon
1. Means I get to work in a team environment, gain new friends and get great experiences.
2. Learn new things and keeps people out of unemployment and gives them the chance to progress their work experience.
3. Each member of staff is excellent.

Duane Tilley
1. Means I can gain confidence and don’t have to go to the job centre.
2. You Get more money then on JSA, it gets you more experience and a possibility of a going on to a more permanent job in the future.
3. Bryan is a good man with a lot to give and has been a great help to me since i have been here.

Wasim Akhtar - Supported Housing Administration Officer - Cross Keys Homes

Wasim Akhtar was unemployed for 6 months before starting work on 26th April as a Supported Housing Administration Officer at Cross Keys Homes.

“I was over the moon and very grateful for this opportunity after being unemployed for what seemed like a lifetime. This was a real confidence boost for me as I was beginning to lose hope and self-esteem after applying for so many jobs with no luck!”

“All my colleagues and managers were very welcoming and approachable from the very start. Trying to fit into an existing team can be daunting but everyone was very friendly and broke the ice straight away”

“My manager Stuart Brown (supported housing manager) has been very supportive throughout my employment. He regularly checks to discuss any issues I may have and is always motivating me further. He has also put me forward for courses that will help me be more competent and confident in the role I am working in the moment. Recently, Stuart has been going out of his way to give me advice and tips for interviews which I have found most helpful”

“Everyone at the Future Jobs Fund has been great. Big credit goes to the team at the FJF who have been most helpful and put me a step in the right direction. Natasha Haward (employee manager) regularly gets in touch and has also put me forward for sessions which will help me progress my career in the future. Natasha has also been kind enough to attend my monthly review to offer further help and support.”
“It’s no secret, finding a job can be a nightmare! Applying for job after job and receiving the same old dreaded ‘we are sorry but wish you well in the future’ replies, can become disheartening after a while. Anyone who is eligible for this scheme should definitely consider it. Since starting my role at Cross keys Homes, I have already had 3 interviews and can finally see the silver lining. It’s a real shame for anyone who doesn’t use this opportunity to their full advantage.”

Meet Lee Wyer- Future Jobs Fund General Project Assistant

Lee Wyer was unemployed for 6 months before being introduced to the Future Jobs Fund Scheme and gaining the role of General Project Assistant. His new role started on 21st December 2009.

“The FJF role gives me the chance to gain the required work experience and knowledge to advance in my new career path, as well as giving me a chance to provide for my young family. I am excited to be given a chance to prove I can do something to help others get back into work. Being part of such a great project that is making a real difference to the young unemployed in Peterborough is something I am glad to be a part of.”

“My job role as a General Project Assistant is to support the project team of the FJF. I liaise with the host partners and employees and maintain the FJF Blog, Facebook and Twitter to promote the FJF Project.”

“In the first two weeks at work I was put straight into action and I found this slightly manic, however I found it helped me settle in much easier as I didn’t have time to feel nervous at all! I find my job role very interesting because I am able to meet the new FJF employees and write blogs on them. It has been very rewarding to see how happy the employees are to finally get a chance to get back into work.”

“Everyone in the FJF team has been great. The whole team is so enthusiastic and works to make a real difference to people. The team are always helpful and I have received help with all my needs, ranging from re-writing my CV to which benefits I am entitled to.”

THe Greater Peterborough Partnership asked Lee - If you had a chance to recommend this scheme to other unemployed people what would you say?

“If you are 18-24 and have been unemployed for 6 months, speak to your JobCentre Advisor now as you too could be a part of this great opportunity and experience.”

“At the end the 6 month contract I hope to gain enough experience and skills to progress further within an office based role and environment and know enough to gain further employment.”

Lee (pictured above) is shown taking part in Peterborough's BIG Tidy UP, a Keep Britain Tidy Initiative which saw many Future Jobs Fund employees volunteering to work together to collect litter in a Peterborough park.

Danielle Wagner- Administration Support Future Jobs Fund

Danielle Wagner was unemployed for just under a year before successfully gained the opportunity to work with the Future Jobs Fund team as Administration Support. She started on 22nd February 2010.

“After being out of work for almost a year the Future Jobs Fund scheme has given me a great opportunity in gaining the appropriate training and understanding about what is required for me to follow my career path into Administration. Before I started working with the Future Jobs Fund team I was struggling to find the right job for me and now I believe that Administration is the right way to go.”

“As Administration Support I have a variety of roles I am in charge of photocopying and scanning the new applications on arrival, updating the Future Jobs Fund and Equal Opportunities Databases, and filing the applications away. I also assist with other office based duties such as calling up for character references.”

“The first two weeks for me were interesting I learnt quite a lot about people’s roles and my knowledge of the Future Jobs Fund scheme was improved. I was in charge of filing for the first couple of weeks, ensuring the applications were saved on the computer and put onto the database. I found it easy to settle in as everybody was helpful and friendly and I was glad to be getting back into work.”

“The most interesting thing I have done so far would have to be updating the database, inputting information onto both the FJF and Equal Opportunities Databases. I found this very demanding as I had to ensure the correct information was entered on to the databases. I also enjoy calling up for references it has helped me gain more confidence when speaking on the phone in a work related manner.”

“Everybody on the Future Jobs Fund team is great. They have helped me settle in and have advised me in areas that I struggle in. They are a friendly bunch of people and I could not have asked for a better team to work alongside.”

If you could recommend this scheme to other unemployed people, what would you say to them?

“I would say that the Future Jobs Fund Scheme is the best way to get back into work and as long as you are eligible you should sign up now, the sooner the better! The scheme enables you to get the correct training and experience that would be asked of you with the career choice you have chosen.”
“At the end of my six month contract I wish to have gained enough experience to be able to continue along my career path which is within an office based environment.”

Meet Sian Lomax – Informatics Assistant at NHS Informatics

Sian Lomax was unemployed for 18 months before gaining the Informatics Assistant role at NHS Informatics. She started on 22nd February.

“Getting this opportunity was a great way for me to gain more work experience and learn another line of work. I was feeling very excited to be starting a new challenge and was very eager to get started as soon as I could.”

“My job role as an Informatics Assistant is to input data and log public comments on a database to analyse and create reports from. I am currently working with my line manager to create a scorecard for GP practices, this will involve a lot of work with Microsoft Excel which is a program I enjoy using.”

“Everyone I work with is fantastic; I‘ve had no problems talking to my line manager about anything. Everyone is still as friendly as when I first arrived, no day is ever dull! The employees here have been so helpful and given me so much advice which helped me settle in well.”

If you could recommend this scheme to other unemployed people, what would you say to them? “Definitely look into it if you've been unemployed for a while it helps you to get the experience and I found it makes you feel like you're doing something useful. Even once you have a placement the help doesn't stop and all the help provided is relevant to everyone.”

Peterborough Teen Fest 2010

Its gonna be a fun action packed weekend and we want all the great young people of Peterborough to be apart of this amazing weekend of entertainment.

To confirm your attendance please click the Facebook link below.

http://tinyurl.com/2459u8u.

Another 238 jobs for the Future Jobs Fund in Peterborough!!!

The government has announced a further £1.5 million investment in jobs for young people in Peterborough. This is Peterborough’s second successful bid to the Future Jobs and creates a further 238 jobs for unemployed young people in the city. The announcement comes after the first 167 jobs from the Future Jobs Fund Peterborough were successfully filled by April.

The first of the new jobs are being advertised from June with Job Centre Plus and in the Future Jobs Fund shop on Long Causeway in the City centre. The majority of the jobs are for young people aged 18-24 who have been unemployed for more than 26 weeks. In addition, 39 of the jobs are specifically for unemployed people aged 25 and over living in the 10 areas of Peterborough with the highest rates of unemployment. The 238 jobs are being provided by 35 partners, from across public, voluntary and private sector organisations in Peterborough.

Examples of these new jobs include:

· Events co-ordinator at NACRO

· Retail assistant at Compass StepOne
· Online Auction Fundraiser at Young Lives

· Caretaker’s Assistant at Discovery School

· Community Support Assistants at Cambridgeshire Constabulary