Employment

Rashida Ibrahim, 28 from Stockton- on- Tees is a lone parent of two young children

Eight years ago, Rashida left her home country of Nigeria for a new life in Britain. With her two children aged 8 and 6 years at school, she wanted to gain employment. After completing ESOL qualifications to improve her English speaking and writing capabilities, Rashida felt that she could attain this objective.

Due to the recession and also having no work experience, she found this extremely difficult to obtain. With a determination to achieve for the future of her children, Rashida asked for support from Stockton Jobcentre who then referred her to David Todd, a Family Coach working on Five Lamps’ Family Wise project.

Family Wise seeks to help people to move into employment and is funded through the European Social Fund. It can provide support with employability skills, debt and money management, personal and social development and work experience, including volunteering.

During the initial meeting, Rashida was distressed that she did not have the experience required to gain work. However, David reassured her that she could achieve her targets. An Action Plan was created which highlighted her experience within care, which she had provided for many years as a lone parent in a stable and loving home.

David helped Rashida to identify her interest within the care industry and then located a suitable training course with Prior Pursglove College, who were running a Health and Social Care Level 1 course within the Riverbank Children’s Centre based in Thornaby. Rashida progressed well and upon its completion, enrolled onto the higher level 2 course.

David also identified voluntary work with the British Red Cross which Rashida attended to improve her work experience.

David also supported her with one-to-one intensive support. A CV was created; job search and job applications were also conducted. During one of these sessions, David identified a job that would be suitable for Rashida with Direct Health Homecare based in Stockton. A job application was submitted and a week later, with interview advice and guidance provided, Rashida had the interview and successfully gained her first job!

Rashida said of the service:

“Without the support of Five Lamps, I could not see any other way to gain employment. I had left my home country for a better life but was finding it very difficult until I accessed the Family Wise project. David really helped me and was there every step of the way. I never thought I would have a chance of being a carer, but the qualification, voluntary work and employment support I received has helped change my life and that of my children”

Rashida has been going from strength to strength and has gained a long-term contract. Due to the positive feedback she has received from her own customers and also her manager, Rashida feels that she is an important member of the team and that she has provided a positive role model for her children.

Family Wise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract. Delivered by Five Lamps across Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar & East Cleveland

Stewart Way, 56 from Redcar approached Family Wise when he was unsure where to turn to for support following the death of his wife, Susan.

Stewart had been sole carer to Susan for five years.

Andy Popple, a Family Coach on the Family Wise project was able to support Stewart to produce a C.V. something Stewart hadn’t had for many years. He also helped him make enquiries to ensure he was receiving all of the welfare support he was entitled to.

Stewart had previously worked mainly in the security industry but following his experiences caring for Susan he now wanted to look at working in the care sector. Andy helped Stewart to apply for jobs via the internet and assisted him with interview preparation.

Finally he was successful in securing a position with Care Mark. Stewart has started off by working on a zero hour contract and is often able to work between 7 and 24 hours per week. Stewart is really enjoying the job and feels it is fulfilling.

Stewart said:

“Family Wise has been really good for me. Andy has always been at the other end of the telephone and helped me with untold different issues which have arisen in the last year. The whole experience of being out of work and on benefits was new to me but Andy has made sure everything has gone as smoothly as possible”

Andy provides ongoing support to Stewart in his attempt to secure a permanent contract and to also advance in his employment through further training.

Family Wise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract. Delivered by Five Lamps across Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar & East Cleveland

Tammy is a 40 year old mum of two, who lives in Thornaby with her two sons aged 20 and 17 years

On leaving formal education, she secured employment and with a strong work ethic progressed to hospitality and then production, taking just a short period out when her sons were born.

Tammy’s work ethic and her sense of responsibility to provide a good life for   her children made her determined to return to work. Earning a living has  always  been her philosophy and she felt a duty to be a good role model to  her boys.

Sadly due to the recession, Tammy experienced redundancy but never  allowed  her feelings of despair, frustration and fear to impact on her will  power to  secure long term employment.

As the months went by Tammy felt she was hitting a brick wall, she applied  for  job after job but there was no response from employers. She didn’t know  which  way to turn but then dropped in to Five Lamps, turning to them for  advice.

Tammy was referred to Five Lamps’ Family Wise project which is funded by  the  European Social Fund. She worked with Jane Simpson, Five Lamps’  Family Coach  to create an action plan tailored around her strengths,  aspirations and the challenges she faced.

Jane identified the training Tammy required to improve her employment chances which included establishing an Employability Portfolio, Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, ICT programme and First Aid. Jane also provided a CV writing service which included support with cover letters, coaching and one to one support on Applications.

Tammy attended each appointment and training programme with drive, determination and a will to progress and secure employment. She never wavered in her belief that with support she would secure employment.

To improve her progress further Tammy secured a voluntary placement with MIND retail outlet in Thornaby, exhibiting that enormous work ethic and determination to succeed.

Through this steely determination and will to succeed, Tammy‘s ultimate goal was achieved and she has progressed into employment, securing a long term contract with a HC1 Care Home in Stockton, as a Housekeeper. Tammy thoroughly enjoys her position within the Care Home where she feels a valued member of the team and her hard work is recognised.

Tammy is grateful for all the support provided and explained

“I would not have succeeded and kept up my enthusiasm and goals in life if it wasn’t for Jane and Five Lamps”

Family Wise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract.

Michael, 45 from Billingham found himself out of work in 2012. He searched for work on a regular basis but without success, he came on to the Work Programme in 2013

The Work Programme provides tailored support to help people undertake active and effective job-seeking. Participants receive support for up to 2 years to overcome barriers that prevent them from finding and staying in work.

Karen O’Hara, Five Lamps Intensive Support Worker worked with Michael to understand his career goals. In the past, Michael had worked as a full time Carer, in a book shop, several call centres and also as a Postman which meant he had a lot of transferable skills.

Michael is also educated to degree level and has a BTEC in Customer Service so he thought he would get a job easily enough, this was not however the case. He was becoming frustrated with his progress and concerned about rising debts. Karen suggested looking at jobs he wouldn’t normally apply for.

Michael took her advice and the following week he said that he had applied online to McDonald`s as he had the skills to do the job and was prepared to work his way up to become a Manager.

Within a week he was interviewed and offered a full time job as Floor Assistant, however he needed some form of transport to get to work due to shift times. Karen realised how important transport was and with the help from the Work Programme a bicycle was bought for him.

Six months on Michael is doing very well in his job and looking forward to the future. Michael really did get on his bike.

Five Lamps is subcontracted through Avanta to deliver the Programme, which is part funded by the European Social Fund.

Laura Barratt is a 25 year old mum of one living in Stockton and is seeking to secure stability and a long term career to improve the lives of her little family

Laura was made redundant and had to consider her career options. She has qualifications; however she felt she had to update her training in order to improve her progress. Laura’s Mum had received support through Five Lamps so Laura decided to make a general enquiry to see if they could help her.

Laura was referred to Jane Simpson, Family Coach at Five Lamps to create an Action Plan tailored around Laura’s strengths, aspirations and the challenges she faced. Laura felt her future lay within the Health Service and aspired to complete training in this area.

Laura was eligible to progress to the Family Wise project which is funded by the European Social Fund. Jane referred Laura to training in First Aid; Moving and Handling; Health & Safety and Food Hygiene. She completed these and was ready to progress further having a new found confidence.

In discussions with Laura, Jane discovered Laura had an interest in securing a position in Phlebotomy. Together they researched the venues and the costs of the training. The costs were unfortunately out of Laura’s reach so Jane informed her of the Ropner Trust Fund. A fund set up by the Ropner family to assist people in the Community of Stockton on Tees. Jane completed an application and a supporting letter to the Trustees on behalf of Laura, requesting financial assistance if possible.

Laura recently received word that her application was successful and thanks to the endeavours of her Family Coach and Ropner Trustees she completed the training and has received financial assistance.

This has improved Laura’s progress and her employability. She is now in a position to progress within the NHS and with Jane’s support and the Five Lamps Work Club she is in a strong position to progress.

Family Wise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract.

Jane Waters, 49 from Stockton is a mother of two grown up children and a young child in junior school

As a lone parent she has worked hard over the years to provide for her children and encouraged them to always do their best.

With a caring and nurturing nature Jane was always drawn to a career in care, however the time was never right. She often had three part time jobs within retail and production and was fearful of taking a new direction.

In recent years Jane has experienced serious illness which has caused much concern, however her tenacity and the love of her family gave her the strength and will power to fight her illness and to keep looking forward.

Due to her illness Jane had to reluctantly give up work but as she was recovering she felt it was time to reassess her life and to look at ways to change her career direction, however she didn’t know where to begin but had heard of Five Lamps so she turned to them for advice and was referred onto Five Lamps FamilyWise project

Jane Simpson Family Coach at Five Lamps who provided one to one support and identified Jane’s strengths, her aspirations and potential barriers. They discussed Jane’s natural instinctive nature to care, support and to listen to others and how she has always desired a position within care sector.

Jane Simpson identified the essential qualifications Jane required to improve her progress, which included a current qualification in maths, training within health and social care and experience within the care sector and also support to create an effective CV.

Jane also referred Jane to Rebecca Smith of Ingeous to complete a numeracy course, Nathan Pellow at Cool Blue to complete Personal Social Development training, including First Aid and she also identified that to help her employability it would benefit Jane greatly to volunteer and develop her skills further.

Jane secured a voluntary position with A Way Out supporting in the Food Bank Service in Thornaby providing listening support, in a caring and compassionate manner.

Jane’s new found confidence and experience has enabled her to grow from strength to strength and recently achieved her ultimate goal to secure a position with in the care sector as a Care Assistant with 3 Score Years and 10 delivering a very caring, empathic and professional service.

Jane said

“Receiving the support from Jane Simpson has given me the confidence, belief, ability and the opportunity to achieve my goals; I can only go from strength to strength”.

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract.

As a youngster Donna Anderson, 46 from Stockton worked on market stalls within Stockton and dreamt that one day she would own her own children’s clothing outlet

It remained her wish during the course of her life but the opportunity never presented itself as she worked very hard raising and providing for her family, overcoming illness and working within retail, catering and cleaning sectors.

Donna was so determined she even had the name of her business chosen ‘Dainty Dudes and Divas’ but she did not know how to make her dream a reality, as the years went by it felt like it was an impossible dream.

Recently Donna was made redundant, which gave her the opportunity to consider her long term dream. She had heard of Five Lamps and made a general enquiry and worked with Jane Simpson, Family Coach at Five Lamps to create an action plan to help turn her dream into a reality.

Jane informed Donna of the New Enterprise Allowance Loan Service which enables unemployed people to progress to self-employment, whilst receiving support over the course of the first six months of their business. Jane also referred Donna to Five Lamps enterprise team who provided enterprise coaching and practical support on self-employment, including developing a business plan.

Donna attended all the necessary training, completed an in depth business plan, and secured funding from the New Enterprise Allowance.

Jane continued to provide support to Donna including helping her get registered on ‘Free Index’ a business directory website. When Donna witnessed her business Dainty Dudes and Divas on the directory she believed it was happening.

Donna’s dream was becoming a reality. She secured a Unit at Inshops Thornaby and opened her business at the end of August 2013.

She has her shops billboard Dainty Dudes and Divas and finally after all these years of hard work and personal difficulties Donna has achieved her dream.

Donna is very grateful for all the support and encouragement she has received and expressed her thanks.

“My dream would never have happened without Five Lamps support”

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract.

If you require further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser.

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.

Carolynne is a resident of Stockton who was first came to Five Lamps in April 2012 as she required help and advice with money and debt management

She also wanted to work on her confidence and self esteem to improve her chances of finding employment.

Natalie South, Five Lamps Family Coach signed Carolynne up to the FamilyWise project, and worked with her to identify the next steps in removing the barriers that had prevented her from gaining employment.

Carolynne was referred to Miles Keith and John McCoy at Five Lamps for specialist financial advice and support with dealing with bailiffs and court orders, whilst Natalie concentrated on helping Carolynne deal with the barriers of day to day life and preparing her for training and eventually work.

A lot of intensive work and support was given to Carolynne in maintaining payments that had been arranged in order for her not to have the bailiffs at the door and with such help Carolynne’s health and confidence grew as she attended jobsearch sessions at Five Lamps and started being pro active in her search for work.

Carolynne also had concerns of being at risk of losing her tenancy and with the intervention of the FamilyWise team taking an advocacy role and speaking directly with her landlord, her tenancy was secured preventing her from eviction.

Natalie has also supported Carolynne with referrals to Horizons and Stockton Citizens Advuce Bureau who are currently looking at the possibility of a debt relief order and bankruptcy which will clear her outstanding debts enabling her to keep payments upto date with her current housing and utility bills with a budgeting plan.

Carolynne has now started working part time with Direct Health UK Ltd

Natalie says

“Carolynne has made such an achievement and gained her confidence back. I am so pleased she is working in a job which she loves and where she feels she has a purpose helping others”

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract.

Five Lamps have been supporting Glenn Fullerton since he first nervously attended a Recovery Group day trip in November 2011.

Back then, Glen was trapped in a life of drink and drug addiction but wanted to get his life in order.

In February 2012, with the help of Five Lamps Recovery Group and Narcotics Anonymous, Glenn stopped taking his prescribed medicated under his GP’s supervision and stopped buying and using illicit street versions of the drug.

Jane Simpson, Family Coach at Five Lamps signed Glen up to Five Lamps’ FamilyWise provision to support his career progression and gain qualifications. Jane supported Glen to achieve his Level Two Numeracy, Literacy and Health and Social Care and also undertake a Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and Counselling training course.

Glenn said

“Gaining those first qualifications was awesome”

In October 2012, Glenn reached his ultimate goal of securing a job which would help to transform people’s lives, as he began working with Counted 4 as a 12 Steps Recovery Programme practitioner. Glenn said,

“I used to dread waking up in the morning, my life was wasted. Now I wake up and it’s brilliant. I think ‘what can I do today to pay back and really make a difference”

With ongoing support from Five Lamps Family Wise programme, Glenn continues to work with Counted 4 and is a valuable member of the team.

Due to his heroic efforts and outstanding success Jane nominated Glenn for an award with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. Glen won the prestigious regional award ‘European Social Fund Individual Award’ in May 2013.

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract

Dave, 57 from Stockton first came to see Rachel Ness, FamilyWise Coach at Five Lamps in November 2012 with a number of barriers, surrounding mental health issues, social inclusion and skills.

Dave had suffered with mental health problems for a number of years and at times felt very lonely, isolated and lacking skills.

Through their regular appointments, Rachel encouraged Dave to do a Personal Development course, an employability skills course and he is soon to start Food Hygiene and First Aid.

Dave said

“Sometimes I still have bad days, and having suffered from depression for a number of years and being stuck in all day on my own, I would tend to talk too much when meeting new people and frighten them off. But since joining Five Lamps, I feel this has improved and I have enjoyed doing these courses and meeting new people”

Five Lamps have supported Dave through the FamilyWise project. FamilyWise supports individuals and their families on their road towards work. Each individual is assigned their own personal Family Coach who works with them to assess their needs, both personally and as a family. The Family Coach also links with other organisations who may also be involved to ensure the support received is joined up and best for each individual’s needs. The Family Coach also work with all members of the family to agree a plan of action for the family as a whole – a Family Pledge.

FamilyWise is funded from the European Social Fund Support for Families with Multiple Problems contract