David Schulz - Training Officer Clinical Biochemistry

Hi Gary, Just thought I would drop you a line to thank you and your staff for the great job you have done with the FJF project. The four people we have had during phase 1 and 2 have been a credit to your scheme. They have had a great experience here with us and have been an invaluable asset to us. So much so that three have already found work with us, the last one is awaiting an interview for a position here. It is such a shame the scheme is coming to an end, but if, in the future, another similar scheme is made available, please do not hesitate to give us a call, because we would, as a department, be only too pleased to participate. These sentiments have been expressed by all members of staff in the department, and we consider these people very much part of the team here in the biochemistry lab. Yours sincerely David Schulz Training Officer Clinical Biochemistry Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS

Nikki Dunne - Project Assistant - Future Jobs Fund

I have been working at the Future Jobs Fund now for just over a month. Before starting this job I was unemployed and on Jobseeker Allowance. Working here has given me the confidence to realise that I am employable and capable of doing the job to the best of my ability. I now have the opportunity to further my experience and skills whilst doing a job I enjoy.

My duties include referencing, updating spread sheets, phoning clients to inform them of upcoming dates for the jobs fair and booking training days. I enjoy obtaining references for FJF employees and feel confident at it. I also confer for FJF employee training days within the team and call up to confirm them. I have also done emailing, printing, scanning and faxing.

I like the people I work with. It’s an efficient environment and everyone is very friendly and helpful. I enjoy the hospitable atmosphere and flexible working hours. It’s the first job I’ve had that I enjoy getting up for in the morning.

I am also doing an NVQ Business Admin to broaden my work skills, specifically within the current job role I am doing. It will also help improve my prospects for a similar career path.

Future Jobs Fund Recruitment to end

We are now into the final stages of recruitment for the Future Jobs Fund project.

The last of the vacancies has been uploaded to both the website and the Jobcentre and they include:

Jobs Closing 25th October
Opportunity Peterborough – Team Assistant
Citizens Advice Bureau – IT Support Worker
Citizens Advice Bureau – Admin Worker
Vivacity – Library Assistant
PCC – Sustainable Environment Officer
PCC – Transport Monitoring Officer

Jobs Closing 26th October
Cambridgeshire Slivers – Database Administrator
Cambridgeshire Slivers – IAPT Employment Co-Ordinator
Cambridgeshire Slivers – Client Sales Assistant

Jobs Closing 27th October
Axiom Housing – Learning Centre Assistant
PCC – Clerical assistant/Receptionist
PCC Business Support – Business Support Assistant
PCC Business Support – Business Support Officer
Orton Longueville School – Administration Assistant

Jobs Closing 28th October
PCC – Information Officer/Administration Assistant

Jobs Closing 1st November
PCC Neighbourhood Management – Safer, Cleaner, Greener Officer

If you want to take advantage of the support and experience that a Future Jobs Fund placement can give then please speak with your Jobcentre adviser or complete an application form and send back to the Jobcentre

Meet Tracey Covell - Retail Manger

Tracey Covell was unemployed for over 6 months before hearing about the FJF scheme. “When I heard about the project and the jobs they had available, I jumped at the chance to apply for them.”

Tracey was working at Best Deal 4 Baby, for most of the 6 months before finishing here at the FJF team. “I have made a lot of new friends whilst at the FJF. I have also gained an NVQ in Customer Service which has helped me deal with customers in a professional manner.”

“The support I have received from the FJF project team has been amazing and thanks to their help and guidance I have been able to get valuable work experience, an NVQ and confidence in my own abilities to work within this environment.”

“I would definitely recommend the FJF scheme to other unemployed people as it has rebuilt my confidence and gave me the chance to improve my work based skills and knowledge.”

Good to be back!

After a short secondment away from the Future Jobs Fund project, I have returned to manage the project last week.

The project has moved on in leaps and bounds in the few months I was away. The support which the employee managers are delivering to the employees is brilliant, with loads of different courses and training available.

And the best news of all, is that fifty of out former FJF employees have gone on to get employment! This is brilliant news and proves that this project works.

I am really excited to see how all the individuals on FJF are contributing, and will continue to contribute to make Peterborough a thriving city.

Watch this space.

Caroline Rowan, Future Jobs Fund Manager, Peterborough

The Post Office 1,000 Challenge

Chris Moon, a disabled ultra-distance athlete, will be running an incredible 36 miles a day for 30 days across the UK visiting Post Office branches, Post Office sites and Barnardo's projects to raise money for the Barnardo's Believe in Children Appeal.

You can follow Chris’s journey on twitter @barnardoslink which will contain regular updates.

As a part of this amazing feat the Future Jobs Fund has been collecting money on behalf of Chris Moon’s challenge. The team have been asking people to either buy some of the great Postman Pat badges or make a donation for this amazing charity.

To make a donation you can do any of the following:

Phone: 0800 027 3439 (monetary donations only)

Website: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/donate/donate_chris_moon.htm

Post: Please send us your gift by a cheque made payable to Barnardo's, mailed to the following address:

Barnardo's
Tanners Lane
Barkingside
Ilford
Essex
IG6 1QG