Charity workers in Lincoln are keen to inject fresh hope into the lives of more people eager to overcome a range of challenges, find new jobs and get on course for a brighter future.
Developmentplus (DP) is running its STEPs to Work programme – following a successful funding bid – to help people back into work by supporting participants to identify the values underpinning their search for work, and by supporting them to overcome a variety of barriers and find work.
DP Development Worker Ian Enright, who is currently working with eleven individuals, said he hopes to have made a difference to the lives of at least 20 people by the Summer and he wants more potential “clients” to get in touch.
Steps to Work is backed by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the Education & Skills Funding Agency and the European Social Fund. The project is overseen by Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), which ensures its compliance.
Active at a time when the employment market is in flux, the Steps to Work scheme is proving vital in motivating people and steering them towards success and Ian is available to help anyone in the Lincoln area.
“It’s a really exciting, one-to-one coaching and mentoring project, which is designed to help people who have found themselves some distance away from the jobs market,” said Ian.
“They may have been dealing with a wide variety of barriers and difficulties, including the length of time they have been out of work, being forced to take time out to care for a loved one, because English is not their first language, they are from a different culture or simply lack confidence. The scheme may also support people who have been recovering from mental health problems.
“I’m hoping that more people will get in touch to enquire about the programme. I think some may have discounted it because they think it sounds too good to be true, but there’s no catch. They simply have to be able to legally live and work in the UK.”
Ian’s current clients are benefiting from one-to-one support, currently delivered by Facetime, telephone and email.
Ian is working with a variety of people, some of whom are in the process of settling in the UK and re-establishing themselves. The current participants are looking for work in a variety of different sectors, either consistent with pre-existing professional qualifications or different to the kinds of work they’ve done previously.
They are all keen to value their current experience and skills whilst being open to stepping slightly outside their comfort zones and learning new things, that will all help, in their search for work, over the coming weeks.
Ian’s work including help people with CVs and covering letters for job applications, as well as tracking down vacancies.
“There are job opportunities in Lincoln. I regularly signpost people to the Government’s and other jobs sites, as well as checking-up on how clients have fared with their applications or interviews.”
Although the project has only been going for a short time, two of Ian’s clients have started applying for jobs and another intends to search for work in the New Year.
“I think this project will prove to be particularly important. There will be many people who didn’t expect to be looking for work at this point in their lives, now needing to simply because of the upheaval caused by Covid-19,” added Ian.
Developmentplus Chief Executive Lynsey Collinson said: “We were delighted to secure funding for this important project. It is enabling us to respond to people’s specific needs, boost their confidence and raise aspirations.
“This is vital for those who have been out of the jobs market for some time and it can help others feeling uncertain about their current skills and experience to decide if further training would help them to become work-ready.”
* Mr Enright also continues to support people living in Lincoln’s Sincil Bank area through Developmentplus’ Sincil Steps project.
It brings members of the community closer together, encouraging newcomers to feel more welcome and helping families to set goals and explore ways to improve their lives. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of support has been provided digitally, through Facebook, telephone calls and online. Ian has also added to his Surfing the Sixes and Sevens podcasts, which feature interviews with people talking about their work, hobbies and memories of living in this diverse part of Lincoln.
