The West of England Works project is a partnership which aims to help unemployed and economically inactive people in the region find employment. The project is a part of the Building Better Opportunities programme and has received £6 million of funding from the Big Lottery Fund and also the European Social Fund.
One of the Geographic Anchor Partners, The Park, has helped a local woman to find employment as she was unemployed for four years having been a full-time mum.
Katie had aspirations of returning to the care sector where she had previously worked before having children, and as her youngest child was approaching nursery school age she was determined to return.
Katie sought the help of The Park and the West of England Works team, as she needed to gain new employability skills having been out of employment for a while. Once she met her key worker she explained that she wasn’t sure of how or where she could find job opportunities in the care sector.
The Park helped Katie to update her CV and coached her on how to access part-time opportunities that were flexible and allowed her to meet her needs. This allowed her to grow in confidence and through the coaching she was able to start job searching independently in a very short space of time.
Katie was soon at a point where she was applying for jobs, and her determination paid off as she was offered a role at Comfort Care Services.
Matt Hempstock, West of England Works Project Co-ordinator said: “This is yet another example of how our partners are helping people in all sorts of personal situations across the region. It is great news that Katie has landed employment and I am sure that she will prosper.”
If you would like the support of The Park you can contact them on 0117 9039770 or you can email Louise at Louise.Hunt@theparkcentre.org.uk.
