Meet Chris Brierley – Assistant Project Officer at BTCV

Chris Brierley was unemployed for over 6 months before successfully gaining the opportunity to be an Assistant Project Officer at BTCV. He started on the 26 April 2010.

BTCV (formerly British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) began as a body organising practical conservation tasks in the countryside. However their role has changed considerably since the foundation of the organisation. Although they have always been involving people in the environment in one way or another, in what the BTCV describes as a 'hands-on' approach, BTCV are now very much involved in community work in urban areas, such as Parnwell which is one of the locations Chris has been working at.

“Before I started this role I was really looking forward to being able to get back into work. I think it was more exciting as I gained the opportunity to work in career I believed I could learn so much from and possibly forge a career path in.”

“Since I have been here I have enjoyed the work I’ve done. I have been given so much training and advice. For example, we have been shown how to tell if a tree is dead or alive, and methods to either preserve or remove the tree. This is great as without that kind of advice I would never gain the right skills needed to progress further.”

“I have really enjoyed working in Parnwell as we have recently been involved in clearing a big section of woodland shrubbery, including trees and bushes. I enjoyed this as we did it as a team and all had to work towards the same goals, which was a new but enjoyable experience. I have always enjoyed working in all weathers, as you can still do all so much to help the environment.”

“Everyone at BTCV has been great and have all been very fun people to work with, who are always keen to help.”

BTCV is based in Parnwell Peterborough, supporting the Pride in Parnwell Project, funded by the Fair Share Lottery. For Further information on the Fair Share Lottery funded projects in Parnwell visit http://www.positivelyparnwell.org.uk/.

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.”