Looking for work, building confidence or thinking about your next step? We're pleased to welcome Real Ideas to our Community Hub, with informal employment support drop-ins taking place on the second Tuesday of every month from November.
Finding your way into work, returning after time away or thinking about a change in direction can sometimes feel daunting.
There are lots of reasons why someone might be unsure where to start. Perhaps you’ve been out of work for a while, haven’t had the opportunity to build experience, are considering a new career or simply want to develop your confidence before taking the next step. Whatever your situation, having someone to talk things through with can make a real difference.
That’s why we’re pleased to be welcoming Real Ideas to our Community Hub in Bugle for a new programme of monthly employment support drop-ins.
Starting on Tuesday 10 November, Alka Poole, Pathways Employment Co-ordinator for Connect to Work, will be joining us after lunch on the second Tuesday of every month. These regular visits will give local people the opportunity to explore employment-related support in a familiar, welcoming environment.
And it’s not just about finding a job straight away. For some people, the first step might be rebuilding confidence, thinking about their strengths or exploring what they would enjoy doing. Others might be interested in developing new skills, gaining experience through volunteering or finding out what support could help them move towards employment.
“You don't need to have a career plan ready. The starting point can be a conversation about your interests, skills and what comes next.”
Alka Poole
The aim is to create an approachable starting point, where people can have a conversation about their circumstances, interests and ambitions without feeling pressured to have everything worked out already.
At BLOT, we know that people’s journeys are rarely straightforward. Work, health, caring responsibilities, confidence, access to transport and opportunities to develop skills can all influence the choices available to someone.
We also recognise that employment is about more than earning a wage. For many people, having the opportunity to develop skills, contribute, meet others and feel more confident can be just as meaningful. Volunteering can be particularly valuable in this respect, offering opportunities to gain experience, try new things and build confidence in a supportive setting.
By bringing employment-related support into the Community Hub, we hope to make those first conversations easier and help people discover opportunities that are right for them.
Our partnership with Real Ideas is also part of a wider ambition to make BLOT a place where residents can connect with useful local services without needing to know in advance which organisation to approach.
We already work with a range of partners across health, wellbeing, housing, money matters and community activities. Adding regular employment support is another positive step towards bringing more of those opportunities together.
We’re looking forward to welcoming Alka to Bugle and seeing how these sessions develop. If you’re thinking about work, volunteering, developing skills or simply exploring what might come next, why not pop in for a chat?
Join us at the BLOT Community Hub on the second Tuesday of each month, after lunch, starting 10 November.
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