MORE than 100 people have now secured employment thanks to help from the M3 Job Club.

The club, which meets at The Innovation Centre, on Basing View every Friday, is run by volunteers, with the aim of supporting jobseekers living in north Hampshire and along the M3 Corridor. Since April 2011, it has helped 106 members back to work.

Richard Thayer, founder and chairman of the M3 Job Club, said: “Every week, as more members return to work, whether that is in part-time, full-time, contract or starting their own businesses, it's fantastic to see the pure excitement and optimism that this brings to all our members – giving them hope in a challenging jobs market, but also proving there are jobs to be found given the right support.”

With the continuing difficult economic conditions, the club continues to see a steady number of new people seeking to attend. The free club has a good reputation for providing members with an environment for networking, sharing experiences and supporting each other which, combined with a regular place to go, helps to keep up the motivation, confidence and focus needed in the current difficult jobs market.

Richard, below, said: “We have some amazing professional volunteers who give their time for free every week, and without whom the club could not function. “We also have supporters from the local business community who contribute to the Job Club in many ways including telling us about any new job vacancies that arise.

“Based on our current progress of supporting over six people back to work a week, our next target is to get to 200 members back to work by our second anniversary in April 2013. “With the growing number of large corporate businesses and local SMEs who are now engaging with us, providing their expertise and seeking to find new talent, I'm sure that the number of our members securing new jobs will increase still further.”