Mandy Swainson from Stockton was first referred to Five Lamps via the Work Programme at the end of 2011
Mandy worked for one hour a day, Monday to Friday as a Lunchtime Assistant at her local Primary School; however her goal was full time work.
During her initial insight meeting with Vikki Brudenell, Five Lamps’ Intensive Support Worker, she said that prior to having her children she had worked as a Travel Clerk/ Typist and would like to investigate the option of going into similar work as an Administrator.
Five Lamps immediately offered her a voluntary placement at their Dovecot Street office as a Receptionist/Administrator. Mandy undertook an induction and training process and was given the opportunity to start an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration.
Vikki continued to work with Mandy and helped to revamp her job search techniques and highlighted her transferable skills to enable us to market her better to employers. Through Five Lamps’ extensive network of local voluntary and community sector partners, we heard of a temporary position available as an Admin/Finance Assistant at the local Credit Union, for 20 hours per week.
Vikki completed a better off calculation to ensure 20 hours would be suitable for Mandy and she applied for the job and was offered a one week work trial. She successfully completed this and was then offered the job.
Mandy has now started work with Tees Credit Union and is thoroughly enjoying the job. She is also continuing to volunteer with Five Lamps while she completes her NVQ portfolio.
Five Lamps is subcontracted through Avanta to deliver the Governments Work Programme and have helped Mandy where other programmes have failed, not because she was mandated to attend but because it has brought together the best that the voluntary and community and the private and public sectors have to offer, under one programme of work.
Mandy said
“Lots of positive changes have happened in my life since being referred to Five Lamps. I am really thankful for the help and support I have received with various aspects of my life, not just in my search for work and believe I would not have been so successful, so soon, in gaining employment if it had not been for Five Lamps’ help”