The Centre has always had a strong commitment to reach out into the community and as restrictions started to lift earlier this year we returned to face to face delivery of our community outreach initiatives.
In June, I met with Age UK Tameside and discussed how we could support their Next Steps Programme; a programme of employability support for people unemployed and over 50 who were significantly affected by Covid 19. We identified a need for additional IT support for those who had little to no experience of using IT or getting online. Weekly digital skills session run on Friday afternoons, giving learners the opportunity to utilise their new employability skills online. Support includes: accessing the internet, online job searching and online applications. The session have been highly appreciated by all and are helping to bridge to digital divide.
In July we began working in partnership with local Charity Salford Loaves and Fishes after a successful European Social Fund (ESF) application. Loaves and Fishes is a drop-in centre providing support to people who are primarily homeless, isolated and/or vulnerable in the local community. As part of a partnership with the Centre, I run employability support drop-ins every Wednesday from their new premises next door, the Skills for Life Centre. Members of the community can drop in to get support with writing CVs, job searching, interview support and general IT help and guidance. So far, we have seen 5 people go into full time employment and continue to see people's marked progress towards the world of work.
The support at both centres has continued in the New Year. We have seen more successes at Loaves and Fishes with more individuals securing interviews and working towards employment. Sessions begin again at Age UK at the end of January with a new group of learners. To stay up to date on all our out reach work follow our social channels below.