New service to help jobless back to work (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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New service to help jobless back to work
10:00am Tuesday 27th September 2011 in News By Helen Morton
Users, volunteers and borough mayor Cllr David Leeks, at the opening
JOB-SEEKERS are being helped back into the workplace by a team of volunteers at The Salvation Army.
The organisation has launched its Employment Plus service at its premises in Wessex Close, Kings Furlong.
The scheme offers unemployed people help with writing CVs and job applications, access to computers and the internet, interview practice and links to other agencies.
The sessions are run at the centre on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, from 10am to noon and are part of a national initiative by The Salvation Army.
Michael Beeston set up the scheme in Basingstoke. He said that since the programme started last month, they had seen all kinds of people using the facility.
Mr Beeston, a retired lecturer at BCoT, said: “So far, it has been really successful in terms of feedback from people using the service.
“We have eight computers here and a team of five volunteers from different backgrounds who offer help and support to everyone who comes in.
“I was first approached about the idea in January but, since retiring a few months ago, we’ve been able to get it off the ground.”
Major Richard Gaudion, leader of The Salvation Army in Basingstoke, said: “Unemployment is a problem, especially in this day and age, and it’s wonderful we’re able to provide somewhere for people to come and get help with finding a job.” The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor David Leeks, joined divisional leaders, Salvationists, volunteers and customers at the official launch.
Jeremy Willmott, 46, has been searching for a job for around five months and has been going to Employment Plus since it started.
Mr Willmott, from Coniston Road, Kempshott, was a full-time carer for his father until he passed away. He said: “I’ve had a lot of help with writing my CV and it’s great to have the use of computers here.
“Paying for internet access can be expensive. I’ve had a few interviews and will continue to use this service until I get back into work.”
eurogordi says...
12:08pm Tue 27 Sep 11
A Christian church that still stands shoulder to shoulder with the ordinary down trodden people in society.
That is why the organisation was started by William Booth in 1865, and that is how it continues to this day.
With local councils and national governments cutting budgets that currently deliver careers and job seeking support (I am a careers adviser), it is fantastic that the Salvation Army has taken this initiative.
I know that other churches are doing similar activities on a smaller scale (ie. Testwood Baptist in Totton), and I would love to see centres like this in every town throughout the country.
Well done and God bless this work.