Success Story

Malcolm came to the Five Lamps in April 09, he was a Plater who had been made redundant from a large company after 13yrs. He had a one to one interview with an intensive support worker, were we discussed all his options and concerns. Although Malcolm had worked for years as a Plater he had no industry cards allowing him to work in different environments. We looked into helping gain his CSCS and Health & Safety Cards with help from Community Funds he was able to go on courses and successful gained these qualifications, we also discussed trying different routes back into the workforce.

As Malcolm liked driving we looked at jobs in this sector, Malcolm then applied for a job delivering shopping to customers for ASDA, after a successful interview he was offered the job.

Malcolm said he was grateful for all the help he received from the organisation and his intensive support worker. He is happy in his job but will still keep looking for jobs in his profession.

Case Study

Mark Westwood and John Pruden were referred to The Five Lamps Organisation by the probation service as they had an idea to set up in business. They were initially seen by Chris Butler our Business Development Team Leader, However it became clear that the young men would need the help of Natalie South who is our community link worker and drug worker.

Natalie first met Mark and John at the beginning of June 09 at the Corner House Youth Project. Both young men are in their early twenties and were long term unemployed, they were ex –offenders and had been drug users.

Natalie explained the Five Lamps services and how we may be able to help them look for work. Both young men had previously been involved doing some car washing and after speaking with Natalie were interested in looking into turning it into a viable business. One concern was losing benefits and in Mark’s case housing benefit as once he started work he would have to pay his own rent. This was not such a concern for John as he lives with his parents who are very supportive. Natalie arranged appointments for Mark to sort his benefit and housing concerns out.

In order to test their commitment Natalie asked them to come up with some ideas and to explore the market place. On next meeting them she discovered that John had borrowed some money from his granddad who was keen to help, as they had been in touch with Teesside Park to see if a car washing business would be viable and discovered that the manger was very interested.

Natalie rang Teesside Park manager to explain how The Five Lamps are working with and supporting them. She also explained that we have a Business Development team who would now be brought in to help take their idea forward. She then referred them back to Chris Butler.

The contract starts on Monday 10th August. Both lads have registered as self employed and are enthusiastically looking forward to this exciting new direction in their lives. Five Lamps will continue to provide support to John and Mark for as long as we can be of assistance to them.

Good News Story

I will refer to my client as Malcolm in order to respect my client’s confidentiality whilst writing up this case study.

My client first came to see me in November of 2008, enquiring about getting a CSCS card at our Drop-in service on a Wednesday at Dovecot Street. After making Malcolm another appointment to come and see me and taking further details on the initial enquiry form, Malcolm informed me that he had attended a special needs school as he had experienced a few learning difficulties.

After finding out that he still lacks confidence at sitting exams and tests, and that he felt unsure about his reading and writing skills, I offered him a literacy and Numeracy test which he felt quite apprehensive about, but after using my listening and mentoring skills my client decided this would be the best option all round for him.

Once my client had sat his test and his score was level 1 this also worked well in building up his confidence for the CSCS test. Malcolm has since passed his CSCS test and I have continued to support and help him in various ways over the last few months.

I have derived great pleasure from seeing this client gain confidence in himself and starting to achieve!

Malcolm is now carrying out jobsearch with us on a regular basis.

Case Study

Client A is a highly experienced Medical Emergency Dispatcher who was referred to the Five Lamps by the Job Centre. A was very upset when I met her .Her confidence had been given a severe blow. She had been unfairly dismissed, was shocked, disillusioned and didn’t know where to turn. She asked if I could help.
Firstly I introduced A to the Five lamps Organisation and explained our Client Charter: Our Policies on Confidentiality; Equal opportunities, Diversity; Health and Safety and that we are totally impartial and non judgemental.
We discussed A’s experience, her skills and qualifications. I reminded A of these skills and qualifications and that first of all she should remember she is a highly qualified Lady, professional and committed to her career. We discussed a plan of action. Initially, resolving her financial concerns by contacting any creditors, and requesting Information from The Citizens Advice Bureaux regarding this. Secondly, seeking advice from an employment solicitor who would support her with her appeal.. Thirdly I could provide Intensive support through Information, Advice Guidance to progress to employment. I would do this be providing supported job search, also provide daily vacancy bulletin’s via the internet and provide mentoring service to support A emotionally.

A felt considerably better after our first appointment, she had a plan of action, something positive to act upon. Her self esteem and confidence also improved as she was able to reflect on her ability and professionalism. A thanked me and reflected on our meeting. Stating” You are the first person to listen to me and make me feel better”

Essentially that is our purpose, to listen to our clients and to empower them.

A attended her appointments with me for a few months completing job search and I provided mentoring. In time A went through and won a successful appeal with her employer. She has secured work, progressing to a new employer and is happy in the knowledge that her professionalism and skills have been recognised, her integrity intact. A expressed her thanks for the support I gave to her when she didn’t know where to turn, for empowering her and making her believe in herself when she felt so low.

Good News Story

Client A is a Youth Worker who works for the Five Lamps Organisation. She was referred to Train to Gain by her line manager to improve her Numeracy skills. Her academic qualifications up on leaving school were very poor gaining only limited low qualifications. She joined the organisations E2E programme where she gained Level 1 Qualifications in Literacy and Numeracy.

She was signposted by her line manager to do the Numeracy course at a time when she had been out of education for over a year and a half. When she was eligible to join Train to Gain the Level 2 numeracy course was already five weeks into the course. I was at first very sceptical as to whether it would benefit her by joining at this stage however, after talking to her and seeing the results from her diagnostic assessment I decided to give her a chance.

She is described by her line manager as a quiet individual who completes her work activities to the best of her abilities and at the same time is an excellent team worker. These qualities were to be on show in the first couple of weeks she was in attendance, as all the work and the extra work given to her was completed to a high standard. She joined a group which consisted of three further individuals who were of a different age group to her however, this did not pose a problem to her as she fitted in really well with the rest of the group and it was also pleasing to see she share her knowledge with the rest of the group.

After being sceptical at first, I was really glad she joined the course, as she worked extremely hard in class and in her own time to achieve the Level 2 Numeracy qualification. She fully deserved her success and due to her newly found educational confidence she has now progressed onto the Level 2 Literacy course and also a NVQ Level 2 Youth work qualification. I am sure if she continues to show the same determination and commitment she showed during the numeracy course in her future studies and work commitments she will have a very bright future.
Client A, Well Done !

Case Study

Client A and Client B were referred to The Five Lamps Organisation by the probation service as they had an idea to set up in business. They were initially seen by Chris Butler our Business Development Team Leader, However it became clear that the young men would need the help of Natalie South who is our community link worker and drug worker.

Natalie first met them at the beginning of June 09 at the probation service. Both young men are in their early twenties and were long term unemployed, they were ex –offenders and had been drug users.

Natalie explained the Five Lamps services and how we may be able to help them look for work. Both young men had previously been involved doing some car washing and after speaking with Natalie were interested in looking into turning it into a viable business. One concern was losing benefits and in Client B’s case housing benefit as once he started work he would have to pay his own rent. This was not such a concern for Client A as he lives with his parents who are very supportive. Natalie arranged appointments for Client B to sort his benefit and housing concerns out.
In order to test their commitment Natalie asked them to come up with some ideas and to explore the market place. On next meeting them she discovered that Client B had borrowed some money from his brother who was keen to help, as they had been in touch with a local retail park to see if a car washing business would be viable and discovered that the manger was very interested.
Natalie rang the park manager to explain how The Five Lamps are working with and supporting them. She also explained that we have a Business Development team who would now be brought in to help take their idea forward. She then referred them back to Chris Butler.

Chris had an initial meeting with Client A and Client B to establish how much research they had carried out and the key areas that needed investigation to determine the viability of their idea for self employment.
They immediately set about gathering this information including meeting the Retail Park manager to review the proposed contract and negotiating with a supplier for the purchase of custom equipment.
Further work with Chris helped the lads identify their key promotion and marketing approach and produce a robust business plan.
With the plan in place, Five Lamps were able to secure £1000 of start up funding which allowed Client A and Client B to pay the first month’s lease and purchase equipment, materials and advertising.

The contract starts in September 09.
Both lads have registered as self employed and are enthusiastically looking forward to this exciting new direction in their lives. Five Lamps will continue to provide support to Client A and Client B for as long as we can be of assistance to them.

Success Story – Margaret Thompson

I started visiting the SOL room to do a beginners computer course with the Five Lamps, and I was shown the SOL room on the day I applied to do the course, and was told that I could come in the room and practise on the work that I was doing whenever I wanted to, so I signed up to go on the computer in the SOL room, and when the course was completed and I passed, decided to carry on coming and did a Learn Direct Beginners Course and passed that too, and since then I have improved a lot more, and there is still lots of new things to learn. I am really enjoying every minute of it.

From Unemployed to Employer in 10 Months

     *   Craig was unemployed, and looking for a job.
    *   He was a time served roofer and used the Jobslink services at Hardwick to try to find suitable employment.
     *   Nothing was available so Craig asked about starting his own business.
    *   He contacted The Five Lamps Business Development Officer and together a business plan was produced to help support funding applications.
     *   Working in partnership with Action Team for Jobs, Broker North East & Walker Hall sufficient funding was secured to get the business started.
    *   After just 10 months of trading, Craig's business had exceeded all targets by over 10% and had a healthy future order book.
     *   This justified Craig's decision to recruit an Apprentice.
    *   So in just a 10 month period of trading our grant has helped create not 1, but 2 jobs in this new business venture.

From Importer to Exporter

    *   Vicky set up in self-employment distributing "hair extensions".
    *   She worked with The Five Lamps Business Development Officer to prepare her business plan to help the necessary funding. Working in partnership with The Prince's Trust, New Entrepreneur Scholarship, Action Team for Jobs, Broker North East & Walker Hall sufficient funding was secured to get the business started.
    *   Vicky's supplier, however, was based in China.
    *   Help was obtained from Vicky's bank to arrange the relevant import documents in order that the foreign payment could be made.
    *   This business is now trading with China on a regular basis, and is in turn exporting the extensions to Europe and the U.S.A.
    *   Vicky has recently taken on a full time assistant in the business.