Global Grants Back in Business
This project has been funded by Global Grants and aims to build on the work we have been doing in Kingsbury over the last few months. It will run from June – December 2006
Through our work recruiting volunteers we have found that two of the major barriers facing people in North Warwickshire in accessing employment are lack of confidence and lack of necessary skills following a gap in working for a variety of reasons. These reasons include mental health problems, having a family and redundancy. Volunteering can be a very good way of developing confidence and skills to a stage where an individual is ready to return to work. We have several case studies of volunteers who have gone on to find paid work following their volunteering experience
This project will:
- identify and advise organisations with the capacity to support volunteers on how to develop volunteer programmes, which will develop the volunteer’s skills and confidence.
- work collaboratively with local job centres, so they can refer people who will benefit.
- build on existing partnership work with learning providers in the area such as the Atherstone College, Adult and Community Learning and the Coventry & Warwickshire Learning Consortium.
- organise a marketing and promotional campaign to flag up volunteering as a way back into work. This will include leaflets, posters and press campaigns. A major event will be organised in October 2006 for all local learning providers and organisations involving volunteers to promote their services to local people struggling to find paid work.
- Identify and promote volunteering opportunities leading to formal and informal qualifications using www.do-it.org.uk website as well as our own website.
- provide support for volunteers throughout their volunteering placement and closely monitor their experience
