Craig Hewitt - General Assistant - INNOVA

Craig Hewitt was unemployed for 6 months before he gained the opportunity to get back in to employment as a General Assistant at INNOVA. Craig started on the 8th March.

INNOVA is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity. Its community owned and works within Peterborough’s deprived communities. Its key area of activity at this present time is the John Mansfield Centre, which is a community hub offering residents a route back into education, employment or training. In addition it provides an easy access to a range of services such as the Police, Cross Keys homes, Connexions, performing and visual arts activities and quality hireable space for community groups.

“Getting this opportunity means everything to me, as it has given me the chance to gain valuable work experience and get paid for something I am particularly interested in doing as a career.”

“Since I’ve been here I’ve been doing general administration duties, preparing and completing minutes at board meetings. I’ve also been involved in working on local projects such as the John Mansfield Centre. The task I have enjoyed most since being here has been visiting the Bromley by bow centre and writing up an information booklet for their project.”

“My first couple of weeks at work I was very nervous, but after being given a wide range of activities and tasks to do I settled in easily and now feel very comfortable in my working environment. With the help of my work colleagues and the Future Jobs Fund team I now feel much more confident in my ability to find a permanent job in the future.”

“My work colleagues are great and have been very helpful in helping me to progress my work based skills, I am grateful to have such a friendly and helpful team to work with.”

When we asked Craig about the Future Jobs Fund scheme, Craig had this to say “Brilliant! They have been so helpful and given me so much help, especially with Job searching and my CV. I feel that the experience I am being given will help my career to progress in the future. I don’t want this contract to end!”

Peterboroughs BIG tidy up.

Peterboroughs BIG tidy up is a fantastic opportunity for you to help within the local community. If you would like to get involved please feel free to ring Nadine Tatlow or email her at nadine.tatlow@peterborough.gov.uk to get more details.

Hope to see you all there....!

Alex Amoss – Care Support Worker – Peterborough Council Voluntary Services

Alex Amoss was unemployed for just over 1 year before being given the opportunity to get back into work as a Care Support Worker with Peterborough Council Voluntary Services (PCVS). He started on 15th February.

“My role involves me helping out carers with things like filling in forms for finding funding for day trips and projects. As part of this I am required to do general admin duties, go to meetings about how carers need help and what carer’s views or problems are.”

“Since I’ve been here I’ve very much enjoyed the home visits as you get to meet some real characters and so many great people. Being part of the home visit team is great and you get to see people and how happy they are with the help you are giving.”

“I feel so happy to have this job. I feel it’s given me a purpose again, and the opportunity to get a better understanding of what carers go through and have to deal with. I have learnt so much already and hope to continue to progress and learn.”

“The managers and staff here are simply great; they are all down to earth and very professional. They always encourage your development and make work a fun place to be.”

When we asked Alex about the Future Jobs Fund project, he said “For everyone who is already on the Future Jobs Fund scheme we should all be thankful for this great opportunity but for all those who are not, but could be, go to the Job Centre and find out more now.”

Christopher Price – Café Assistant – Best Deal 4 Baby

Christopher Price was unemployed for 2 years and 6 months before he was given the opportunity to get back into work at Best Deal 4 Baby as a Café Assistant. Christopher started on Monday 22nd March.

Christopher is working within the Best Deal 4 Baby café. He is serving customers by making tea or coffee and food. He also works in the Best Deal 4 Baby clothes exchange store, which involves him helping customers find what they are looking for, cash handling and general shop duties, such as stock rotation and stock ordering.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many great and interesting people on a daily basis and believe this has helped me gain more self-belief”

“I‘ve also loved working in the shop as it gives you a great sense of pride when you are able to help people find great deals on children’s clothing, pushchairs and the like. It makes you feel like you are part of one big community and knowing you are doing so much to help them save money.”

“The people I work with are great. Ruth has been great and made me feel part of a big family. Kevin is so respectful to every member of staff and gives you great confidence in your own ability to do well so that every morning I look forward to coming into work and doing all I can to help.”

When asked about the Future Jobs Fund scheme, Christopher had this to say: “The Future Jobs Fund is a great way for young people to gain work skills and gives each person a chance, no matter what background or experience they may have. I believe I owe this scheme so much already as without them I don’t think I could have got back into work so quickly.”

Max Melton-Database Compiler -Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services

Max Melton was unemployed for twelve months before getting the opportunity to get back to work as a Database Compiler at Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services (PCVS), He started on February 15th.

As Database Compiler, Max is responsible for maintaining and updating the various databases at PCVS, as well as maintaining the hardcopy filing systems. As well as this, his job has allowed him to work with the various projects that PCVS provides, including the Volunteers Centre and Carers Centre. He also helps out on reception, contributes to events, and assists the day-to-day running of the building.

“Since I’ve been here I have been interested in, and challenged by my daily workload; it is very varied, so I don’t spend all day looking at databases. Sometimes I’m downstairs on reception, or about the building helping the Centre Administrator with health and safety tasks. I‘ve also been able to use my artistic talents in leaflet, flier, and poster designs, and this has been rewarded and encouraged by my peers and superiors. I’ve helped out and attended several PCVS events, such as the Small Groups Forum and lent my hand to our Small Groups Worker. Attending these events, and simply interacting with a wealth of people from all areas of Peterborough society on a daily basis, has helped make me feel aprt of within the organisation.

“The main thing I feel I’ve achieved through this job is helping boost my work ethic and pro-activity. Being out of work for so long has inevitably hindered my ability to work within a 9-5 routine, and getting this job, part-time though it may be, has helped immeasurably with my ability to stick to routine. The fact that my workplace isn’t a place I dread going to also helps.

“The team I work with are all excellent, the environment is laid back and friendly. Everyone here, including the management, are not only professional but compassionate too. It was easy for me to settle in immediately and I became well acquainted with all the employees in no time. From the moment I stepped through the door for my interview I felt that PCVS was somewhere where I could very happily work. I was greeted warmly and offered a cup of tea, met promptly by the Centre Administrator, and then treated to an interesting and enjoyable interview with both the Centre Administrator and Assistant General Secretary.

“The Future Jobs Fund may have some flaws. However, as an initiative to get young people back into work – especially those with very few qualifications or relevant experience – for that it has its success stories. For me, certainly, it has proven positive. For anyone who meets the criteria I’d say that it is worth investing the time in applying. I look forward to seeing what happens once my six month contract is finished.

Aaron Cooke – Funding Co-ordinator – Best Deal 4 Baby

Aaron Cooke was unemployed for 1 year before being given the opportunity to get back into work at Best Deal 4 Baby as a Funding Co-ordinator. Aaron started on Monday 22nd March.

As Funding Co-ordinator Aaron is responsible for working with the local community, helping to run local projects and getting them funded. Aaron will alongside Abid Hussain working with organisations such as Tesco, Barclays and the National Lottery to gain funding so that the community projects at Best Deal 4 Baby can continue to run and be of a great benefit to the local community.

Aaron Says: “I’ve been involved in many great tasks and projects, and I especially enjoyed being able to go to PCVS for a Children in Need presentation, which was an very educational experience as it is something I’ve never done before”

“In the last month I’ve applied to Genesis Community for £2000 to help the unemployed people in Peterborough by offering them training, support and experience. I’ve also been involved in contacting the National Lottery to try to gain a donation to help pay for a new hub, computers and rooms”

“The people who I work with are brilliant! Truly inspirational characters that have proved you can achieve anything with a little determination and self belief.”

When asked about the Future Jobs Fund scheme and the team, Aaron had this to say; “I love the Future Jobs Fund. If it wasn’t for the Future Jobs Fund I would still be unemployed. I would highly recommend the Future Jobs Fund to anyone who is unemployed.”

Steven Jefferson – Office Junior – Best Deal 4 Baby

Steven Jefferson was unemployed for just over 3 years before he was given the opportunity to get back into work at Best Deal 4 Baby as an Office Junior. Steven started on Monday 22nd March.

As an Office Junior Steven is responsible for answering the telephone at Best Deal 4 Baby, sending emails to charities and companies and general admin duties. “Getting this post means a lot to me because I have been unemployed for so long and was beginning to lose hope on getting a job. But now I have been given a chance to gain work-based skills and valuable work experience”

“Since I have been here, I’ve found that my role has developed to more of an events co-ordinator. I have found that the management here are always keen to help people progress and have trusted me with more responsibility which I am really enjoying.”

“In the last few weeks I’ve made an information sheet for young dads, teenage girls and young parents, which helps to identify what help or advice they might need. As part of this I have designed a teen network survey to provide information, advice they need and what views they have. By getting this information I hope to develop some kind of help workshop to get them involved in.”

“My employers are kind and very understanding. They have been very supportive to me and helped me when I needed it the most. It is like one big family here and I am glad to be a part of it.”

When asked about the Future Jobs Fund scheme and the team, Steven had this to say; “I found the Future Jobs Fund team to be so helpful and have always made themselves available with things such as pay and working issues. I believe this project has been such a major boost in helping young people back into work and back on their feet. I hope that they can continue to help people like me getting back in-to work.”