27th August 2003
FULL EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE IN THURNSCOE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

The Full Employment Area Pilot (FEAP) has been underway in Barnsley for over 8 months and is proving to be a tremendous success, helping people, who have been out of work for some time get back into employment.

A team has now targeted over 6,276 homes in Thurnscoe and Kendray by knocking on doors, talking to local people and highlighting the kind of service that the team can provide as well as giving out newsletters about the progress being made in each area.

The team offers various levels of support to the local community, such as assistance with forms, compiling CV’s, organising interviews, providing the latest information on job vacancies, and giving additional support to overcome the potential barriers that individuals may be faced with, such as lack of childcare, poor transport facilities and a lack of confidence.


FEAP have had over 150 enquires and now have 113 registered customers. In the short time they have been working in both areas they have supported over 50 people into work in areas such as childcare, construction, business administration, painting and decorating, youth work, call centres, customer service, data input, and security.

There have been some wonderful success stories of people moving into jobs, such as Julie Bennett who secured a position as a childcare assistant at the Roundabout Dearne Childcare Centre in Bolton on Dearne. Julie said, “I contacted the Full Employment Team when I was 17 years old. I was unemployed at the time and really unsure of my future. More than anything I think I needed someone to talk to that would help me to decide what I wanted to do. They helped me with a CV and gave me lots of information as well as encouragement. I applied for a few jobs and was successful in getting an interview for a childcare assistants post in a local childcare centre. I was really nervous but the team were great. They all spent time going through mock interviews and explaining how to make a better impression. It was all logical really once it was explained. I’m now in a job that I really enjoy as well as doing an NVQ in childcare and education. The future seems much brighter and I feel more positive. I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the team.”

“I was delighted when Julie was successful at her interview and glad that we were able to help her to make a decision about her future,” said Lynda Chapman team co-ordinator. “Even after we’ve helped people into work we still like to keep in touch with them and they know we’re only at the other end of a phone”

The innovative pilot is financed by Objective 1 and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and is a prime example of partnership working between Barnsley Development Agency’s CERT team and Barnsley and Rotherham Action Team for Jobs. As well as visiting homes, the Full Employment Team have a drop-in session on Tuesday’s at the Life Long Learning Centre Thurnscoe 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and meet residents locally by appointment at the Rainbow Centre and the Hill Primary School also in Thurnsoce.

If you would like to arrange an appointment with the FEAP team or would like any further information or advice then please call freephone: 0800 0857 632 or 01226 784444.

END

Notes to editors
CERT’s task is to help Barnsley’s communities develop projects that provide new job opportunities. By empowering locally based groups CERT aims to build people’s confidence and knowledge and assist them to acquire skills and experience, allowing them to actively participate in the social and economic growth within the Barnsley area.


www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk

Press Contact: Sarah Hopwood
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Barnsley Development Agency
Telephone: 01226 640 086
Facsimile: 01226 286 606
Email: shopwood@barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk



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